The record-union., 1898-10-05
A ASENSATIOAAL DISCLOSURE.
Mich COWS AFFLICTED WITH
SPLENETIC FEVER.
Milk and Food Inspector Megow-
ans Report to the Board
of Health.

Milk, Food and Market Inspector
Mcgowan and DR. Henderson, who is
q member Of the State, as Well as the
City Board of Health, dropped bomb
shell into the meeting of the last
named body last night, when they gave
1T as their opinion that anthrax, or
splenetic fever in cattle, exists nearly
within sight of the city, and that the
milk from the diseased herd has for
the past ten days been delivered from
house to house here.
DR.. Henderson explained that the dis
ease was equally fatal to the human
family as to cattle, and cited one In
stance where a single epidemic OF the
disorder had carried off 10000 people.
While DIR. Mcgowan was looking aft
er the health of the city, DR.. Henderson
was acting as the agent of both the
State and city Both had been on the
watch for the first appearance Of the
disease in or near this city, and When
a few days ago they learned that
fatal sickness had broken out in the
dairy herd at the Perkins ranch, twelve
miles up the river, on the Yolo side,
they lost no time in making an invesu-
cation.
They visited the ranch in question
and found that within the past few
days twenty Of the herd of forty cat
tie had died, and that majority OF
those remaining were afflicted with the
disease, which had every appearance
of anthrax or splenetic fever, or, as 1T
is sometimes called, Texas fever. While
they had no doubt concerning the dis
ease, they stated that they would to-
day make a microscopic examination
of the feces Of the animals, and there
by settle the matter beyond doubt.
DR.. Mcgowan told the board that he
had learned at the ranch that the milk
from the herd was being sold to the
Marty Brothers dairy, and that, SO
far as his informant knew, it was being
delivered in Sacramento.
DR.. Mcgowan said he had seen one
of the propTietors Of the dairy, and
was by him told that they had bought
milk from the herd, but had stopped
as soon as they learned that the cattle
were sick. DR.. Mcgowan said he was
not satisfied, and had again gone to
the ranch and saw a can Of milk which
the man in charge told him had been
set aside for the dairyman for distribu-
ton. Part of the milk had been taken
from a sick COW, and the animal had
died the next day.
DR.. Henderson corroborated the
statement of DR.. Mcgowan.
Both DR.. Henderson and DR.. Me
gowan stated that another herd which
had been in contact with the diseased
cattle ON the Perkins ranch had within
the past few days been driven across
the river into Sacramento County, and
they thought it possible that the dis
ease might be spread in this immedi-
ate vicinity from those exposed.
DR.. Henderson said the germ or spoor
Of anthrax or splenetic fever is ex-
tremely hard to kill, and that as the
dead cattle had been buried in shallow
pits the ground in the immediate vi
cinity might become filed with the
germs and the disease be spread to
cattle eating grass or hay growing
there.
The disease, DR.. Henderson said, is
of the intestinal variety, and may
either be spread by the spume from
the mouths of affected cattle or from
the feces Of the animals. The entire
herd he said, drank, and still drink
directly from the river, and the germs
could easily be conveyed to the water
by either Of the processes named.
From the ranch to the city supply
pipes is about twelve miles, and he
thought it possible for the disease 70
be introduced into the city through
the domestic supply Of water. He also
thought it possible for the disease 20
be conveyed in the milk, and from one
or both processes it might become cpl
demic in the city.
DR.. Fay called attention to a news
paper dispatch from Suisun to the eff
feet that a man died there day or two
ago Of splenetic fever
DR.. Henderson said he had been in
formed by persons at the Perkins ranch
that seven hogs that had eaten of the
carcass of one Of the dead cows had
died, thus showing that animals other
than cattle were liable TO the disease.
DR.. Mcgowan said the land on which
the cattle range and where they are
buried, is subject to overflow during
high water, in which case the impurl-
ties would be carried into and down
the river by the food
DR.. Henderson said that the germ is
very hard to eradicate, and that the
only effective method of preventing its
spread is to burn the carcasses of the
dead animals.
DR.. Mcgowan said he believed the
Yolo County authorities would work
hand-in-hand with those of Sacramento
to quarantine against the disease, and
that the inspector Of Yolo County is
jealous and efficient in the discharge
Of his duties.
DR.. Ross suggested that Inspector
Mcgowan be instructed to visit Wood
land and confer with the Yolo Board
of Supervisors. with a view to effecting
a strict quarantine against the spread
of the disease.
DR.. Parkinson put DR.. Ross sugges-
ton into the form of a motion and 1t
was unanimously carried.
DR.. Mcgowan viii, accordingly, pro-
ceed TO Woodland this morning and
present the matter to the Yolo Super
visors.
The Supervisors.