Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-23
CURING TEXAS FEVER
Experiments That Have Been Made by the
Agricultural Department.
Cause. Of the Disease Discovered
Ticks Found Only fn Certain
Regions.

The Agricultural Department is hopeful
that the cause and prevention Of the Texas
cattle fever has been discovered, and II
was to continue certain successful tests
that DIR. Novgaard went to Texas yester-
day. 1t has been found that the disease
germs are inoculated in the blood Of the
cattle by tick of a certain kind, which is
found only in an area of the United States
where the quarantine regulations exist
The tick grows ir the woods and swanps,
and buries itself deep into the skin of the
cattle, and incubation follows, the disease
germs being transmitted from the tick into
the animal. The tick, number OF speci-
mems of which are at the bureau OF animal
industry laboratories. resembles black
eyed pea. 1t drops of the steer at GER
tain time and lays its eggs on the ground.
The eggs are transmitted to the animals by
this Means, so that infection is transmitted
not by the animals themselves SO much as
by their presence, SO that cattle which had
been in infected districts carry the ticks
with them.
The area of infected country, with some
recent notifications, is as follows:
All that lying south. or below. line be-
ginning at the northwest corner OF the
state of California: thence. east, south and
southeasterly along the boundary line OF
said state Of California to the southeastern
corner of said state; thence southerly along
the western boundary line OF Arizona to
the southwest corner OF Arizona; thence
along the southern boundary lines of Ari-
iona and New MEXICO to the southeastern
corner of New Mexico; thence northeriy
along the eastern boundary OF New Mexico
to the southern line of the state Of Colo
RADIO; thence along the southern boundary
lines of Colorado and Kansas to the south
eastern corner of Kansas: thence southerly
along the western boundary line of Mis-
souri, to the southwestern corner Of Mis-
-n- H.
boundary line of Missouri to the Missis-
sirpi river; thence northerly along the
Mississippi river to the northern boun-
Diary line Of Tennessee at the northwest
corner Of Lake county; thence easterly
along said northern boundary line to the
northeast corner Of Henry county; thence
in a northerly direction along the boundary
of the Tennessee river to the northwest
corner Of Stewart county: thence in an
easterly direction along the northern
boundary Of Tennessee to the southwestern
corner Of Virginia: thence northeasterly
along the western boundary line of vir-
g1nia to the northernmost point of Vir-
ginia: thence southerly along said boundary
line to the northeast corner Of Virginia,
where it joins the southeastern corner of
Maryland. at the Atlantic ocean.
The Remedy.
After years Of experimentation. a remedy
has at last been hit upon. which 1t lie
thought will kill the ticks, and which, after
cattle have been submitted to the treat
ment. will do away with the necessity Of
having the quarantine laws enforced
1t has been discovered that the animals
can be rid OF the ticks by dipping" This
process, which has been going on at the
Fort Worth. Texas. cattle yards. where
for the first four months OF this year ll9O.-
$50 cattle passed through. has been found
so successful that in all probability. when
the success Is further confirmed by DR..
Novgaard's report. stations win be estab-
lished.
This will mean ten or fifteen millions Of
dollars annually to the cattle growers OF
the south. 1t II estimated that this loss IL
met with yearly on account OF the
necessary enforcement OF the quarantine
regulations in regard to infected Texas
fever cattle.
InAersing the Animals.
The dipping consists only In immers-
ing the animals In watts Of water, the sur
face OF which II covered with lubricating
Oh. which It b found causes the ticks to
drop on. The experiment has been and b
stin proving successful In the Fort Worth
yards, under the direction Of the Depart
Meut Of Agriculture, and o. q largo cattlo