Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-08-09
THE CATTLE DISEASE
Is Pronounced SpIenic Feyer-Dr.
Curtis, Full Report.

As announced yesterday morning, DR.. w.
X. Curtis, of the Brooke county local board
of health, has made a thorough eXamina-
ton of one of the fatal cases OF Splenic
fever in Brooke county, and yesterday
transmitted his report to DR.. Reeves OF this
city. The latter pronounces the work we'll
and thoroughly done, and eommends the
report in the highest Language. He says
there is not the slightest doubt that the
disease is actually splenic fever. The re.
port is dated at Wellsburg, and proceeds as
follows:
II went out on Sunday to examine the
diseased cattle, and while at home, near
Bethany, our family COW died The disease
had been pronounced "hollow horn" by
some. but | thought best to make a post
mortem examination, as had the opportu-
nifty, and began the work without delay.
This was the only fatal case in our imme-
date neighborhood. had not the oppor-
tunity or time to weigh all or any OF the
internal organs, but give simply crude
notes with the promise to make more mi
mute investigations in the next examina-
ton. enclose notes of the fatal case.
IL went to the farm of NJ. J. 2. Smith
and found that he had lest six head of cat
tie. Examined heifer suffering from the
disease, and found all the symptoms of
spleniC fever. have sent word to nearly
all parties owning Alabama cattle to sell
none and to isolate them from all native
cattle.
IF you desire any further investigations
wish you would indicate the character of
the same. l think l have correctly dag
nosed the disease, but give me any further
instructions you may consider necessary,
and they shall be strictly obeyed.
AUTOPSY.
Red COW. years old; calved weeks
ago (calf living): had been running in
field where Southern cattle were herded
one month ago. Four days before death
there was looseness of bowels, no,appetite
general lauguor, ears dropped, tendency to
hunt water and lie in it; skin dry and
great fever; urine scanty, pulse o. ick and
rapid, weakness in hind parts, ETC., etc.
The digestive organs were seemingly
healthy until the third stomach was
reached, which was greatly distended and
containing dry, hard food. The fourth
stomach and small intestines were the seat
of general infiammatory redness and
ecchymosis. Right lung congested; apex
of the heart considerably congeSted
or blood stained. Kidneys congested;
gall bladder distended with viscid bile !;
urinary bladder contained about two gal
Ions of urine, the color of port wine. Liver
1ue SpI6Su WAS
about three times the natural size and its
external surface ecchymosed: broken
down tissue internally, black and tarry in
appearance-the trabeculae destroyed and
entire substance of spleen granular and
soft. Did not examine brain and spinal
cord.
These notes have been hastily written
but think they will show plainly enough
the specific character of the disease and
the wisdom of the appeal 10 the Health
Department" ...
This same disease has reached Pittsburg
and last nights Telegraph says:
Yesterday afternoon Christian Siebert,
residing at the corner Of Fifty-second and
Butler streets, lost a valuable COW from
what is believed TO be the same disease that
is carrying off large numbers of cattle in
Alabama and other Southern States. The
animal was first affected on Saturday after
noon, by what appeared to be cramp, and
resulting in the stiffening of its limbs and
peculiar humping of the back. The COW
was a recent purchase, and it is believed
contracted the disease before Mr.. Siebert
bought IT, LAST week q number of cattle
died near Wheeling. with a disease in
which the symptoms were comparatively
the sme.