Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1880-10-02
TEXAS CATTLE FEVER.

TEXAS CATTLE FEVER
The Texas cattle fever is killing Of cattle
in some portions Of the country, but this re
gion Of country has escaped the disease en-
tireIy-we have not heard Of single cas-
within hundred miles Of Dodge City. Thi'
il due to the precsution that has been used
IL the spring when the "drive" commenced
We stated upon the opinion Of . prominent
and intelligent stockmAn, that the disess'
wa communicated through the urine Of thu
Texas stock. This belief is confirmed BY re-
ports regarding the contsgiou Of the fever
and the following from the Fort wortt
Live Stock Journal would eeem to sustain
tina, theory-notably, the last paragraph o.
the article:
This 10 subject that has for yess receiv
ed considerable attention, not only from
those closely interested and dealing in cattle
but from medical and scientific experts and
able men Of other classe,, yet there is still &
great varisnce Of opinion as to its origin,
cause, extent Of contagion, necessary curative
treatment and other important points con-
nec,ed with this very mysterious and infsc.
tious disorder. 1t il = fact, however, that
TrXae cattle themselves in perfectly heal
thy condition, when grazing with the i'm
proved or native herds of other states far.
ther north, will at times cause them to take
what is usually termed Texas fever, which,
WHEN once taken, generally terminates fatal
ly. This will usually be the result when
Texas cattle are taken and gra1ed with ma.
tive northern cattle. or vice versa, the Tex
ais .ll the time keeping in good health. Ii
il sl-o certain that the northern cattle in
fected with ,hi. disease cannot impart it to
Others. We have observed many cases fully
proving III 9, and We have seen cases where
cows have died with the disease, leaving
perfectly healthy the calve. that bad beer
sucking, up to the time OF their mother
death. proving conclusively that the diseas'
can only be impaired by Texas cattle, ant
will be confined to those who take it direct
We assert this positively from our own ex
perience, and in making the statement, VI
are supported by others, whose opportuni
ties in ob-ervins the character Of the diseas'
have been equally good or better than oul
own.
We would also assert that the mere com
ing in contact Of the Texans with othel
breeds Of cattle, is not sufficient to cause In
fiction; il i. necessary that the cattle shsl
Craze on lands that Texas cattle have beer
driven over, or that the native breeds b,
led in yards after Texans have been usine
them TO feed In. We have known instance.
where northern and Texas cattle have beer
shipped 10 the same car and stood together
in the same dry yard, for days, always sep
ara ing them and feeding them in diieren,
places. We have also known these cattle to
be af,erward placed in different pastures and
all remsin in perfect health. We have alsc
known northern cattle shipped, fed and
gra.ed with Texans, resulting in the death
of large portion of the northern cattle
An idea is prevalent with come that north.
ern caule can contract the disease and i'm.
part IT to others, and with others that cattle
only coming in contact with Texans will
catch the disease. Both of these ideas are
wrong. II is necessary that the nor hern an
finals feed after Texans, either in yards, on
pastures or trails.