Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1884-03-14
,Toor AND nourH nrur.sr

There is no denying the fact that
great alarm has been occasioned in this
state by the appearance Of the foot and
mouth disease among several herds of
cattle in WOOdson county, this state.
Cases are also reported from other
counties, and unless something is done
at once to allay the excitement great in
jury must result to the state.
So far there has been no appearance
Of the disease among range cattle. and
we have no idea that these will ever be
affected, for as is well known, stock al
lowed to roam at will in large pastures,
or over the prairies, are rarely troubled
with any disease. The class of stock
that suffers being those kept DIP in lots
and stables, fed in filth and supplied
with impure water and feed.
Governor Click has been asked to call
the legislature together in special ses-
sion that an appropriation may be made
to stamp out the disease in the infected
districts but he will not likely have a
called session unless the disease be-
comes more general. In reply to let
ter from party at Usage City, the gev-
ernor has written the following:
"Your letter with copy of resolutions
adopted by the stock breeders of your
county at hand. do not think that the
public would justify the calling of the
Legislature together. 1t seems to me
the stockmen of your county have start
ed in the right direction by calling a
public meeting. You ought also to
have the county board meet and make
appropriations for the purpose of bury
ing and destroying any animal diseased
or affected with the foot and mouth dis
ease upon the first intimation that il
exists III any locality in your county.
The legislature has appropriated no
means nor authorized an officer to act
III such matters, and what am doing
and can do, of course, is only advisory.
In case the disease should make its
appearance in your county the animals
should at once be killed and buried, and
all straw, litter and everything on the
premises that was exposed to the cOnta-
gious disease should he burned, and cat
tie liable to be infected should be prop
j erly Quarantined until it is fully estaD-
liShed that the disease does not longer
exist in the herd. In case it should
break out, there should be a competent
committee of men, who, with a veteri-
nary surgeon, would appraise the prop
erty and pay fair value for it, and re-
quire the person to properly disinfect
his premises and prohibit the turning
OF stock upon the infected place frem
four to five weeks. have no doubt that
the legislature would provide for the re-
endorsement OF counties that adopted
such measures to stamp out the disease
OF course its effects would be deplora-
bic il it gets foOthold in Kansas, and
the disease will spread very rapidly af-
ter cattle are turned out on the range
or on pasture great deal more rapid
ly than at present. am, sir, your ODE
dient servant, q. w. CLICK"
The following dispatches will be of
interest in connection with this subject:
EMPoRIA, March 10.-Another mass
meeting was held here tonight for the
purpose of considering the mouth and
foot disease. Representatives of sever
al neighboring counties were present,
and the sentiment of the meeting was
unanimously in favor of a special ses-
sion of the legislature as the surest,
best and most speedy manner of exter-
minating the dread aptha from the
state. DR.. White, who first pronounc-
ed the contagion at Neosho Falls the
mouth and foot disease, made report
at the meeting of the disease existing in
Lyon county. He examined number
of cattle near Hartfort.and found be-
yOnd all question of doubt that the
disease was the dreaded aptha. The
disease, however, had almost run its
course. Steps will be taken to prevent
any spread here. The meeting to be
held at NeoshO Falls tomorrow win be
attended by a large number of Lyon
county citizens, and it is to be expected
that the legislature will be convened as
soon as possible.
England has suffered greatly during
the last few months from outbreaks of
foot and mouth disease, For many
weeks there were from 500 to over SOC
outbreaks per week. The restrictions
on the movement of cattle consequent
on the prevalence of this disease work
ed great hardship, and no one subject
has been more talked and written about.
The farmers have demanded that the
importation of cattle from countries af-
fected with the disease should be abso-
lutely prohibited. The government has
hitherto declined to do this, but has
now announced its purpose to introduce
measure into parliament which will
greatly enlarge the powers of the privy
council in this direction. The duke of
Richmond has introduced a measure
providing that importations shall be
prohibited from any country or part of