Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-10-05


The Texas Cattle disease.
The appearance of this deadly plague on
our borders, if not actually within the limits
of our State, is causing much apprehension
among our farmers, and they will thank Us
for concise statement of the character OF
the disease, and modes of treatment of it. 1t
made its appearance in New England in
August 1873, and continued for over three
months, in various parts of the country, eS-
pccialy along the lines Of transportation
from the West following extensive shipments
of Texas or Cherokee cattle from the West
and South Prof. N. Cressy, State Neterna-
rian of Connecticut, made a careful report
on the subject to the Board Of Cattle Com
missioners of that State, from which We con-
dense the following facts:
The disease is malignant fever, propa
gated by contagious eilluyia, and by contact
with the alvine diSchai ges of cattle affected
Nv IL iHC ANhFt Nh ''''NiN'
have nothing to do with causing the disease.
The presence of the ticks may indeed point
to the disease, as these parasites Indicate
some contact or connection with the Texas
cattle has taken place The disease is at
tended with congestion of the liver. spleen,
kidneys and bowels The urine bccames
scanty and bloody, and, in fatal Gases, the
bladder is distended with dark, bloody fluid.
Ii occurs but once in an animal, never ap-
pears spontaneously in region OF frost, and
dies out in cold weather. Examination of
the internal organs after death shows the
spleen much enlarged, sometimes SO As to
weigh from five to ten pounds. The liver
is congcstei and enlarged and very yellow,
the kidneys swollen, the gall bladder filed
with viscd and ilocculent bile We quote
the following passages from Prof. CresSy's
report:
PERIOD OF INCUBATION.
This has not been accurately determined
by experimental cases, but according to our
observations. from ten to forty days may
clapsc from the time of exposure before the
creature will show signs of being affected.
There is evidently great difference in the
susceptibility of our Northern cattle. Some
may escape it altogether, while Others will
fall victims to it in very short time. The
temperature and the time Of the year has
much to do with its early manifestation. The
infection is the most virnlent during the
warm ,sultry weather, and in Il cold wet sea-
son it il very inactive. Hence the appear
ance of this malady, after given exposure,
is very uncertain. In the early part Of Sum
mer, most of the exposures are effective
with the disease soon following, and that
with very fatal consequence. But later in
the season, the invasion is less marked, very
irregular in occurrence, and the mortality
much reduced. But usually from general
exposure, where native cattle have been
turned into lot in which Texans have been
recently pastured. it will require from four
to six weeks to develop the malady. In this
respect we observed some curious facts last
Fall which need to be explained. Either
natives may give this disease-contrary TO
universal testimony-or the period of incu-
baton must he extended to three months in
certain individual cases that have occurred
under our inspection.
SympfomS.-The manner in which the dis
ease appears is quite variable, owing to the
age and general condition of the animal.
In cows you will notice, perhaps, sudden
| dimnution in the quantity OF milk, as the
first symptom. The ears drOop. the gait is
sluggish and tottcring, and more or less
trembling will be seen about the TANKS.
| There is Discrimination to move, and the
creature stands for some time with de-
pressed head in one position. The back is
arched, the abdominal walls are shrunken
and the patient looks poor and hollow. The
skin is dry and hot, especially about the
| head, and is seldom or never moistened by
perspiration The bowels are usually very
| costiye at the commencement, but in few
cases | have noticed looseness in the last
stages. The faces are frequently retained
for several days and thus discharged with
difficulty, being very hard and dry, clothed
in mucous with stains of blood. Urine scanty
and high colored, with frequent attempts, at
first, to pass it but later the bladder be.
ONES distended with bloody water. its walls
paralyzed, and the power of micturition lost
Death occurs from mere exhaustion, and
in majority of cases, about the fourth day,
though have seen one linger to the ninth.
Observation-Disclosures plans Of medication
have been resorted to in the curative treat
ment of this disease, but thus far with ques,
tionable results. No specific medicine, how.
ever ardently claimed or faithfully admin
istercd, has yet been found to stay its raw
ages, and it will be impossible to select
even an approximate remedy, until it
pathology is better understood.
| Examinations and antiseptics would natur-
ally seem to be called for, and such medi-
cincs have been given in certain cases, with
good success. Many times cathartics are
specially indicated, ard when given early
have operated favorably. Salts are the
most appropriate physic for cattle in this
and other febrile affections, and should be
given in large doses of. a pound or more.
Duretics are also valuable agents to be used
Saltpetre, acetate of potash, and sweet spirits
of nltre have been used to good advantage,
at critical stage, when tine bladder had be-
come distended with high-colored urine. In
such eases | have used gin and strong
tincturc of the oil of juniper, and have seen
much relief afforded to a creature in a dying
state. Hence would advise the free use OF
such remedies to eyacuate the bladder, and
thus aid liz the work of elimination.
Bleeding has been strongly advocated, but
it must be resorted to early, to get any per-
ccptiblc effects. When the spleen has be-
come congested there is little chance OF
aiiording amciOration bv yenisectIOn. But
at the commencement OF an attack, if the
animal is strong and lleshy, it is well to
bleed, and no doubt many cases have been
saved by so doing.
CarboliG acid has been used a. an antisep-
tic in all stages 81 the malady, and it is
worthy of further experimentation. Com
mon salt is believed to exert a favorable
effect, when given freely, to all cattle that
have been exposed in the line OF transporta-
ton, especially when they have been de-
priyed of drink for several days, as is often
the case in the shipment of Western stock.
Stimulant', in our hands, have proved
VERY eicaciOus. In some extreme eases
have given gin, dilute alcohol, and cider
| brandy, and usually not less than half pint
of either at n dose, to be repeated as the pa
| ten: may require. Cattle that have been
dropping for some tine will be revived, and
even recover from an almost hopeless condi-
ten. Hence | believe that ardent spirits
should he freely given in this and other
icbrile affections.
The carbonate OF ammonia, ginger, pep
per, and camphor have also been given to
stimulate the system, but much prefer the
alcoholic preparations. Some physicians,
believing this disease to be malarial, have
recommended quinine and other bitter tones,
such as gentian, columbo and nux yomica,
but have never seen any marked effects
from these medicines