The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-08-21
A DEADLY CATTLE DISEASE.
Several Herds Of Fine Jerseys Attacked
by Pleuro-Pneumonia.
Cattle from These Herds Scattered Over Sew
eral States Warming Circular from
the Agricultural Department.

CHICAGO Aug 20.-The Breeders Gazette will
publish the following tomorrow: AT last the
unwelcome truth is forced on us that contagious
pleuro- pneumonia has found a lodging in the
prairies of Illinois. The evidence of its baleful
presence in not less than five Jersey herds in
this State is overwhelming and grave fears ex-
list that the extent of the infection has only
dawned on us. The Investigations which were
set on foot two weeks ago by the Bureau
Of Animal Industry leave no longer any room to
doubt the unwelcome fact The nature of the
trouble was first suspected by DR.. Trumbower,
of Sterling, who was in the employ of the De-
partment of Agriculture A Jersey COW, be-
longing to Mr. Keefer, Of Sterling, recently
purchased by him, sickened and died under such
circumstances as to lead to the suspicion Her
lungs were taken out and sent to DR.. Salmon,
Chief of the Bureau at Washington. An ex-
animation satisfied him that thorough investi
CATION of the case was warranted, and he in
structed his subordinates to carefully inquire
into its history. 1t was learned that the COW
came from the herd of NJ G. Clarke, of Geneva,
Ill, and that there had been other and serious
trouble there. He had sold two cows that went
to the herd Of John Boyd, of Elmhurst, and
which soon thereafter had sickened and one of
them had died Other fatal results
followed, and DR. Salmon came on
in person, some ten days ago, to
investigate the case In company with Mr..
Sanders, of the Gazette, he went to Mr.. Boyd's
herd, where the remaining living COW, purchased
from Mr.. Clarke was found to be suffering from
what appeared to be pleuro pneumonia in a
chronic form, and another one of MIR. Boyd's
own raising presented an acute case of the same
disease, of only about ten days duration,
DIR, Salmon was slow however to declare the
contagious nature of the disease, but on subse
quent investigation, the further fact that two
more animals in the same herd were attacked
with similar symptoms so confirmed him in his
diagnosis that he determined to kill the two
COWS which were first attacked on Mr.. Boyds
place. The post-mortem examination, which was
made last week, fully confirmed his worst fears
and he at once set to work to learn
the source of the Infection Mr.. Clark, of
Geneva, admitted that six deaths had occurred
in his herd since last April, although he
claimed that two of these died Of old age. These
with the COWS sold to Keefer and the two taken
to Elmhurst, made nine fatal cases from this
herd alone.
In the meantime word came of trouble in two
Jersey herds in another part Of the State, and
Drs. Salmon, Paaren and Rauch made a post
norton examination, revealing perfectly typi
cal case of genuine lung plague. The disease ap
pears to have run its course in the herd of Mr..
Clark; but in the meantime sales were made to
various parties, one lot going to Cynthiana. KY,
from which nothing has been heard. The
article claims that the investigation shows that
an auction sale Of Jerseys at Virginia, Cass
county, Ills, in February last, was the distribut
ing point of the infection in this State. Ami
mails from this sale were taken to Nebraska
Iowa and Kentucky, and tor various other herds
in this State.
All the available resources of the Department
of Agriculture are being theoretically employed
to trace, determine and isolate infected herds
Mr.. Boyd and others whose names are not men
toned made no sales for months past, and there
is no danger of the disease spreading further
from their herds. So far as known the infection
is confined to Jersey herds In view Of these
developments, the following order has been
issued:
DEPARTMENT OF AGRIcULTURE, /
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20. 1884.
To the Cattle Owners Of the United States; Owing
to the existence of disease supposed to be contagious
peuro pneumonia several herds of Jersey cattle in
the State of Illinois, hereby request the owners of
al herds of Jersey cattle in the United States into
which new animals have been introduced since JanI
airy to stop shipment of cattle until after October l.
The disease seems to have been introduced by ami
mails sold at Virginia, Cass county Ill, in February
3 1854. and these animals were widely distributed
through the Western States. 1t is hoped therefore
that persons owning cattle tracing this sale and
all others having cattle affected with disease of the
lungs, will at once communicate with DR.. Salmon
Chief of the Bureau Of Animal Industry, care of
the Breeders Gazette Chicago and clearly state the
condition of their herds and the symptoms of the dis
The attention Of owners Of cattle and railroad
and other transportation panies is called to sec
ton seven OF the act establishing the Bureau of Ami
NAL Industry which makes it misdemeanor, punish
able by fine of not less than $100 nor more than
$4,000 or by Imprisonment for not more than one
year OF both for shipping cattle affected with any
contagious, infectious communicable disease and
especially the disease known as pleuro-pneunonia
from any State or Territory into another The cor
dial cooperation of State authorities and all persons
Interested in the welfare of our cattle industries is
earnestly desired IN order to avert the danger which
now menaees the herds Of the country.
GEORGE b LoRfNG
Commissioner of Agriculture.
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