Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-03-21
THE CATTLE DISEASE.
Report of DR.. A. A. Holcomb, United
States Veterinary Surgeon, on the
Dis ease in Kansas.

Report of DIR. A. A. Ho1comb, United
States Veterinary Surgeon, on the
Disease In Kansas.
De. A. A. Holcomb, the United
States veterinary surgeon, stationed
at Fort Leavenworth, who was de,
tailed to investigate the foot and
mouth disease, m ade a report to Gov.
Click recently. 1t is given in sub
stance below:
NEos1o FALLS, Kan.
To the Governor of Kansas:
SIR: l have the honor to report
herewith the results of my investiga-
ton into the nature, cause and pro-
gress of the disease existing among
the cattle in this neighborhood. l
first inspected the herd of Daniel
Keith, located four miles northwest
of Neosho Falls, in Coffey county
Kan. The story of his herd is as fol-
lows: 1t consists of 120 animals,
most of which are yearlings, the re-
mainder comprising few cows and 2
year-old steers. All of these animals
were picked up in the surrounding
country last autumn. The last lot
was received Dscem Der 10, 1888 All
were apparently well after Christ
mas. Some time between the 25th
and the 31st of December five of
the yearlings were seen to be
lame and to present Nore or less
swelling of the affected feet. A day
or two afterwards six more were found
with similar symptoms. After time
it was noticed that the feet affected
showed signs of sloughing at the cor
onel or above the fetlock joint. This
result was attributed to freezing of the
diseased members. Notwithstanding
the changes in the weather, new out
the time of my arrival sixty were or
had been affected. made a critical
examination of a large number, both
of well and the sick. That it is foot
and mouth disease cannot be doubted
when the symptoms are considered,
for, to recapitutate. the various cases
show vesicles and ulcers of the mouth,
vesicles aud ulcers in the cleft of the
hoof. suppuration and sloughing at
the foot, ulcers of the rectum, vcsi-
cles and ulcers of the udder, diarrhea,
a temperature vaying from 101 de-
grees to 104 % degrees Fahren-
heit, and the most remarkable ema-
citation even in cases where the ap-
petite is good. How the disease origi-
mated am at loss to know. In the
past the foot and mouth disease has
never appeared in this country except
when brought here from Great Britain
or Europe. That it can originate
spontaneously l do not believe, for
my observasions have shown tina:
specific diseases cannot be produced
except when the specific virus is pres
ent in the system, and this virus is al
ways the product of like pre-exist-
invg virus. In my opinion the infect
ed herds should all be destroyed and
the infected premises quarantined
against cattle, sheep and hogs for
a period of one year. The bedding,
manure, hay, fodder, fences, etc,
should be destroyed with the cattle,
and the stables thoroughly cleaned
and disinfected. The disease is now
near to the great cattle ranges of the
west, to which it may readily be car
ried, and where its disastrous effects
would be incalculable, and its erradi-
cation impossible. Amy delay is most
dangerous to the great interests at
stake. i am, sir, very respectfully
your obedient servant,
A. A. HOLCOMB. d. Y. S.
Veterinary Surgeon, .. S. Army.