The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-08-20
DANGER TO HORSES.
Chambers and Farcy
Are Unusually
Prevalent.
NEW CASES ARE REPORTED.
The Cattle Commissioners
Fear a Return Of the
1897 Epidemic.

Keep a sharp eye on your horse these
days. Chambers and farcy are becoming
prevalent Six horses have been killed
in Worcester during the past four
weeks and two more are now in quar-
anttne, under suspicion of having con-
tracted one or the other of the incurable
and violently contagious diseases.
Although danger of the dread disease
is an ever present bugaboo to horsemen
generally and especially to liverymen
and stable keepers, there is cause for
more than usual alarm in the present
instance. There are an abnormally large
number of cases just now with which
the board of health. and the board of
cattle commissioners are dealing.
During the whole of last year rs
horses were condemned and killed by
the board, or an average of two a
month. Three times that number of
cases have been before the cattle COM
missioners during the past month, and
the increase is enough to warrant cause
for alarm and fears of a return to the
deplorable conditions that prevailed in
1897, when it was deemed expedient to
shut off the water in every watering
trough in the city limits.
In 1897, "a horses were killed in this
city, after being condemned by the cat
tie commissioners. There is reason to
believe that unless drastic measures are
taken during the next two or three
weeks to prevent spread of the con-
tagion there will be a speedy return to
the conditions that prevailed two years
ago.
Leander F. Herrick, secretary of the
state board of cattle commissioners,
which has to do with the handling of
contagious diseases of domestic ami
mails, was extremely reticent when. seen
by The Spy man yesterday afternoon.
Mr.. Herriok is restricted by law from
giving out information concerning the
doings of his board owing to the pos
sibility of such information working to
the damage of horse owners and stable
keepers. However, Mr.. Herriek admits
that CHAMBERS and farcy are prevalent
just now and believes a sound warning
to horsemen, without intfmating that
there is cause for undue alarm, is in
order. The secretary of the board is
taking every precaution to prevent the
further spread Of the disease and the
inspectors are putting in hard work on
the watch for suspicious cases. Mr..
Herrick speaks in the highest terms of
health is cooperating with the cattle
commissioners, and pays high tribute
to Worcester veterinarians, who he
says, appreciate the danger and are out
to aid the law.
The statutes give the commissioners
power to kill any horse that shows
symptoms of either CHAMBERS or farcy.
There is a further provision which
makes the selling or trading of a CLAN
foi1 to
toms of the disease to the commission
ers, punishable by a fine of not more
than 500. The case of Max Rutberg in
central district court, last week,
brought the operations of the law into
unusual prominence.
The testimony was to the effect that
Rutberg purchased a horse which he
had reason to believe was suffering
from CHAMBERS and afterward took the
animal back to the man from whom he
purchased the suspected horse and
wanted him taken back and his money
refunded. Before the original seller Of
the horse could obtain a veterinarian
to make an examination, the commits
sioners say they have evidence that
Rutberg sent the horse away to local
auction room to be sold Here the CLAN
dered horse was spotted by an inspector
and condemned. Rutberg was arrested
on a charge of not reporting his sus-
picions to the proper authorities, and
was fined $50. The case was appealed.
The commissioners stand ready to ex-
anime, or to cause to be examined, any
horse that is under suspicion of having
contracted either CHAMBERS or farcy, and
want the cooperation of horse owners
in stamping out the disease. Failure to
report makes the owner liable to pun
ishment.
Both diseases are incurable and vio-
lently contagious. Chambers first be-
comes apparent by running at the
nostrils and a swelling of the Emphatic
glands which becomes evident in q pro-
nounced bunch under the chin Many
forms of distemper resemble the first
symptoms of CHAMBERS, but to the vet
erinarian the signs are unmistakable
The disease is frightfully contagious,
and may be contracted from a drinking
trough or even by quartering a horse in
a stall where an affected horse has been
stabbed.
Farcy usually appears first in a swell
ing of the legs after which tiny sores
make their appearance either on the
legs or breast or even on the belly The
sores may disappear entirely for a time
but will surely reappear. The discharge
from these sores is violently poisonous
and may cause blood poisoning in a
man. There is no remedy for either
CHAMBERS or farcy, but rifle bullet, and
the common good demands its applica-
ton.
Keep sharp eye on your horse. If
your suspicious are aroused consult
either a veterinarian or the cattle COM
rnissioners. The work of the latter is
y Essentially proper and should enlist the
sympathies Of every horse owner
-
t.Does you husband ever help you about
taking care of the baby7' was asked the
wife of young professor in neighbour
ing city.
mot often, though sometimes he does.
Last evening he said he'd take Willie
4 for an airing as he was going to walk
down to the post office. Half an hour
4 later / saw my husband sitting on the
+ porch reading a scientific magazine, but
eould see nothing of the baby"
Where's Willie? What have you done
with him. asked.
WHY said the professor. ~ forgot
all about him; think he is sitting in the
post office. detroit Free Press.
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