The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1885-01-15
THE F4TAL CATTLE DISEASE.

THE E=TAL CATTLE DISEASE.
Speaking of pleuIo-pneumonia, it is
known that it exists to an a'a IL
ing extent around New York. Some
people have attempted to make it APP
pear, the disease is attaching particu-
laFly to Jerseys, but this idea is
groundless. The disease about New
York is among all breeds Of cattle,
and mainly in the dairy herds used
to supply the city with milk.
The condition demanded supervision
of the government, and the prelim-
in7ry report of the board OF veterin-
arians, appointed for the purpose,
states that in $50 stables in New York
city, containing 3,318 cows, there We're
found 26 COWS infected wi h pleuTo-
pneumonia. On Long Island, 1,4lS
stables were inspected, and among the
1902 cows contained in them,
there were found 32o cases of
pleuro- pneumonia. In 500 stables
on Staten Island, containing 1901
COWS, there were found twelve
cases. In thirteen stables in New
Jersey, containing 1876 COWS, there were
found eight gases. In the Jersey City
abattoir thirty-n1ne visits discover
thirteen affected animals. At the
New York offal dock, out of sixty
three post-mortem examinations,
twenty cases of pleuro-pneumonia
were found. In slaughter houses of
by the sick, or through morbid exuda-
lions. The disease is siitl ta0, r. :"
present in cutaneous enIGaatlUni, ,.I..;
probobly in secretons and excIetio-,
and in the blood. Contagium belongs
to any stage of the disease, though it
more particularly belongs to the
febrIle period. 1t is asserted, that for
a certain period after convalescence
the animal may transmit the disease.
Contaglum is present also for some
time after death. The disease affects
at one time only a few of herd, but
fingers for a long period. The air
may convey the disease, according to
various authorities, from fifty to
three hundred feet. Contagium
fingers, too, for great while about
stables and pastures, some saying that
three or four months after a diseased
animal has occupied a stable, well
animal therein may contract
the dread affection. Hay soile,I
by sick cattle conveys the
disease; SO do pastures where diseased
animals have graZed two or three
months before. Even dead body
buried under the earth, has been
known to cause the disease in cattle
fifty or sixty feet distant. Incubation
of the disease occurs in from three tC
six weeks, and, sometimes, in from
eight to fourteen days. The extension
of pleuro-pneumoDio is due to its con.
tagious properties. If it prevail
in any locality it will radiate
therefrom il there be offered
the means of conveyance. II
spreads in proportion to the
opportunities for transmission; and
ist duration and tardy ConvaIescence
IendeF its conveyance to great dis
tances entirely possible. It is most
destructive and embarrassing disor.
der, and has inflicted a greater amount
Of loss than any other disease among
cattle. 1t has prevailed in Europe fol
a great many years, but is new on this
side OF the Atlantic. In England in
six years the loss of cattle from this
disease has been one million head. In
France and Holland and in Wur.
temburg the losses have been great
The disease has been brought to Ame.
RIGA through imported cattle, anG
through the transportation of cattle
to different parts of the country, il
has made its appearance in severa-
states. 1t has been decided that the
only way to root out the disease is tc
kill and DESTROY the diseased animals
Strict quaratine Is absolutely neces-
sary to prevent its spread.