The record-union., 1898-12-25

Amador County; thence southerly
along the eastern boundary lines OF
San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties
to the northeast corner of Merced
County; thence easterly along the
northern boundary line of Mar
iposa County to its inter-
section with the boundary line CT
Tuolumne County; thence southerly
along the eastern boundary lines OF
MADEIRA, Fresno and Tulare Counties
to the intersection of the eastern
boundary line of Tulare County with
the boundary line of Kern County;
thence easterly along the southern
boundary line of Inyo County to its
intersection with the eastern boundary
line of the State of California.
On the other hand, all the counties
lying below said line are more or less
permanently infected and are becom-
ing more and more so from year to
year. Some of the southern counties,
such as Fresno, Kern, San Luis Obispo,
Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, ETC.,
lose from 500 to 1,500 head of cattle
yearly from this disease alone.
With regard to the control and Grad
ication of this disease, l would suggest
that a quarantine line be established
and maintained about the central por-
ton of the State, and at several points
on said line dipping apparatuses and
corral should be erected, as suggest
by the Bureau of Animal Industry, at
which points cattle being shipped from
the southern to the northern part of
the State can be inspected and if nee
esSary dipped, and where cars used
for their transportation can be disin-
fected before proceeding on their jour
ney.
Also, where outbreaks occur below
the line, steps should be taken to quar-
antine the infected locality and per-
nit no stock to leave such locality un-
til they have been inspected, and, if
necessary, dipped under the supervision
of experts employed by your board.
Steps should also be taken to COM
pei owners of land below the quaran-
tine line to take some action toward
the disinfection of infected pastures,
or wherever the infection may exist.
Such action would confer little or no
hardship on the stockmen, but on the
other hand, would result in great
financial gain, as we'll, as the ultimate
entire eradication of the disease from
our State.
CONCERNING ANTHRAX.
I will now proceed to the considera-
ton Of anthrax, which is one of the
most fatal diseases known to science.
It is caused by specific bacteria
known as the Bacillus anthracis."
While it is a disease that is chiefly linn
tied to cattle and sheep, it may be
transmitted to human beings, hogs,
goats, horses and certain kinds Of
game. Smaller animals, such as rabbits,
mice and guinea pigs, speedily succumb
to incubation.
1t might be well to state at this time
that the germ of Texas fever is very
distinct in it's origin, mode of develop
ment and attack from the anthrax
germ, and has absolutely no connection
whatever with it, in spite Of the mis-
norner of "splenic fever" occasionally
given to Texas fever by those ignorant
of its cause and the manner in which
it is spread.
The germ of Texas fever is peculiar
to the Southern States, and is distinct
ly an obligatory micro-parasite, and
cannot live outside of an animal body
in the Northern States, whereas, the
anthrax germ can be transplanted any
where and can thrive on mountain
peaks and marshy bottoms. The germ
of Texas fever does not belong to the
class of bacteria, but to the protozoa.
1t is not a microscopic plant, as is the
germ of anthrax, but belongs to the
lowest forms of the animal kingdom 1t
kills by direct destruction of the red
blood corpuscles and not by the secre-
ton of poison.
A correct appreciation of the differ
ence of these two diseases is very i'm
portant in regulating measures neces-
sary for their prevention, especially as
it has been claimed in the past by those
ignorant of its true nature, that Texas
fever was "anthracoid" in character.
Like all bacteria, the bacillus anthra-
els has the power of indefinite muitipli-
cation. In the body of an animal they
multiply in number by becoming elon-
gated and then divide into two; outside
the body, however, they multiply by the
process of speculation, and herein lies
the chief difficulty in controlling this
disease, for the reason that unlike its
progenitor, the bacillus, the spores
formed are almost indestructible.
These spores will remain alive and
are capable of termination after years
of drying; they resist neat to a remark
able degree, being capable of resisting
a temperature of 100 degrees Cent, or
212 degrees Fab, for short period.
They even resist the application of dis
injecting solutions that will Immediate
ly destroy ordinary bacteria Sporula-
tion, therefore, prolongs the existence
of the bacillus indefinitely. As a spore
it may SO remain for years in fact, it
has been known to retain it's vitality
for more than twenty years, depend
ing largely, no doubt, upon the nature
of its environments.
As every outbreak of anthrax is the
result of, the introduction into the sys-
tenn of the bacillus anthracis or its
spore, the question naturally arises,
how are they introduced on the farm?
Where do they come from, and what
are the channels of infection?
The spores of the bacillus anthracis
may get into the soil, and may remain
in a dormant stage for many years.
They may contaminate hay or grain
grown on infected soil. and in this way
the disease may be carried to localities
where it had never been known to exist
before. The spores may in a similar
way be introduced with blood or bone
manure or with any refuse used as ma
nure. The skin, WOOL hair, hoofs and
horns of infected animals, if soiled with
blood, are contaminated by the bacillus.
The disease has been known to be
carried on hides shipped from South
Africa to Great Britain. 1t has been
shipped into the United States on hides
and wool from Australia, and outbreaks
have occurred from animals coming in