The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-10-23
TEXAS CATTLE DISEASES.

The Mobeetie Panhandle reports
splenetic fever as mostly confined" to
imported cattle in the Panhandle
region. The malady was caused, it is
said, by the driving of herd of cattle
from Arkansas to New Mexico over
the region where the disease has made
its appearance. Many very valuable
animals have died, and none have
been saved when once attacked by the
fatal malady. Our cotemporary thinks
killing frost would arrest the spread
of the disease; but, if it be splenetic
fever, this can hardly be the case,
since this disease has been known to
attack cattle and kill 6l the dead of
winter, as wen as during any other
season Of the year. 1t is hoped
our contemporary is properly informed
as to the nature of the dis
case to which it refers. Splenetic
fever is bad enough, pleuro-pneu-
monio is a great deal worse. Sple-
netic fever, as we understand it, is
what IS commonly known as Texas
fever. Cattle brought to Texas take
it, and cattle carried from Texas to
other states appear to cause its eXis-
tence elsewhere. Hundreds of thous-
ands OF dollars worth of fine stock,
brought to Texas have died of sple-
netic fever, while the mixing of
Texas cattle with cattle from other
states causes the same disease, known
abroad as Texas fever. Texas cattle
are not subject to any disease on their
native ranges: and they do not take
the splenetic or Texas fever
when liked abroad with other
stock. 1t is only by admix-
ture with native stock, on Texas
ranges, that imported stock is sub
jected to the disease. Grazing upon
the same grass upon which Texas cat
tie Craze, here or abroad, seems to
cause the disease, but the case report.
ed by the Panhandle is the first
where the grazing of cattle from
abroad has appeared to cause this dis.
ease among Texas cattle. If the
statement be true in regard to the OIL
gin of the present disease in the Pan
handle, it adds a new phase to the
transmission of this cattle disease, but
The STATESMAN thinks the state
ment incorrect. Such transfer Of
pleuro-pneumonia would stant
to reason, but it il
a new origin for splenetic fever. Al
to causes for the existence of splene
tic, or Texas fever, there has yet beer
no explanation. The subject ough
to be thoroughly studied by compe
tent scientists and explained, and thel
a remedy might be applied. In thi
connection THE STATESMAN is please
ed to see that very celebrated vete1
mary surgeon, DR.. Noah Greasy, o
Hartford, Conn.,, is now in Texas TO
the purpose of investigating and re
, porting upon cattle diseases in thi
; state. 1t is feared his time is too lin
tied to enable him to give the subjec
that close and complete investi
, cation, which it demands, 70
1t also is stated he is to b
at Kansas City on the 2Sth of thi
month, there to address convocatio
of short horn breeders. This gentle
man was accompanied to this state b
Mr.. Langley, also of Hartford, who
here to inspect the live stock bushes
: OF the state in the interests of easter
: capitalists. The cattle growers G
the northwest who have stocked u
on Texas cattle, represent that dis
eases, which indirectly attach t.
: Texas cattle, are epidemic among on
own native herds in their own TeXa
{ ranges, which is untrue. Texas cattl
, have never been subject to epidemi
or endemic diseases of any af
ture. They do not take diseas
; when driven among other cattle, bu
: cattle from other states, when brough
to Texas, become diseased, and, exceI
: in the case reported from the PanhaI
die, about which there must be som
mistake, we have never before hear
: of Texas cattle on their native range
taking disease from other stock. 1t
contrary to the history of spleneti
: fever, and certainly, if it has attacke
, native cattle, it is not splenetic feve
+ 1t is time for the nature of this dis
f ease to be fully understood. DR.. Cres
sy should be consulted while in rexs
! by our cattlemen, and he should
induced to devote his investigi
r lions. in a comprehensive wa!
D to the existence of this disease, and
!. study its remedies. He should, 6
!. least, be given the opportunity to
$ able to refute the charges Of th
e northwestern cattle raisers, that TeXe
4 cattle are subject to fatal epidem
and endemic diseases. These peopl
$ have stocked up on Texas cattle, an
3 have grown immense herds frol
l them. They are now engaging in a
effort to kill the hen that laid thel
! golden eggs, and which is still pr
! pared to yield a harvest of wealth fl
D others.