The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-10-27
CATTLE DISEASE.
DIR. Wards InVestigatiOns-MOre Restric-
tive Measures Needed.

DR.. Robert Ward, state veterinary surgeon
of Maryland, has decided that some measures
must be taken to restrain traffic in animals
affected with contagious diseases and all ami
mails that have been in contact with stock so
infected. The diseases at present menacing
the cattle interests of Maryland are Texas
fever and pleuro-pneumonia, but principally
the former. He has just returned from a
visit of inspection to Rolph's wharf, in
Queen Anne's county, and found there that
Mr.. S. r. Hurlock has lost seven cows and
six steers out of herd of thirty-seven. He
discovered three animals suffering from the
primary symptoms of the disease, Texas fever,
staggering in their gait, and general febrile
symptoms.
He had steer killed and held post-mor
tenn, which revealed splenic fever, the true
Texas disease. Mr.. Hurlock states that he
bought dozen head of cattle about month
ago in Baltimore. Soon afterwards they ex-
hibited the Texas fever, and gave it to his
other cattle. Becoming alarmed he shipped
ten head of steers to this same firm to be dis
posed of. They sold these cattle, it is said,
to Queenstown, in the same county. Mr..
Hurlock, Immediately after shipment, lost
about dozen head of cattle from the disease.
Mr. Taggart, near Pikesyille, has lost four
out of six young steers purchased. Other
cases have been reported. DR.. Ward is in
receipt of a letter from Thos. j. Edge, secre-
tary to the Pennsylvania board of agriculture,
in which Mr.. Edge says he has made careful
examination of the cases of pleuro- pneumonia
reported by DIR. Ward along the Pennsylvania
and Maryland border, York county, and found
them to be cases of Texas or splenic fever.
He will continue his Investigations. Mr..
Edge states that he has paid out $3.50 recently
as compensation to farmers who have lost
cattle by this disease in that region. Penn
sylvania allows compensation for cattle killed
to prevent the spread of the disease. The
leading drovers of Baltimore, Dr. Ward states,
show commendable disposition to aid him
in his efforts to repress the disease by adopt
ing measures to prevent the sale of animals
which are even suspected of the disease.
DIR. Bridge, veterinary surgeon to the Penn
sylvania board of agriculture of Pennsylvania,
returned from Chester county recently, where,
in company with Secretary Edge, he had been
making examinations into the condition of
the cattle which have been affected by the
recent outbreak of pleuro pneumonia. Only
one herd, in addition to those already attacked
and reported, was found to be suffering.
There are thirty-fve head of cattle in this
herd affected, several of which were killed and
others put in quarantine. Some cattle from
the other diseased herds were also killed by
the surgeons order. DIR. Bridge says that he
is now sure that the disease is under control,
and that it will not spread any further. DR..
Salmon, of the United States Agricultural
Department at Washington, recently visited
the infected districts and obtained portions of
the lungs of the diseased animals, which he
will subject to microscopic examination and
make report to the department.