Hutchinson gazette., 1901-04-25

Lelcesters, Cotsw0lds, Lincolns, Shrop-
shIles, Hampshlrcs and Southdowns,
The production of horses, cattle and
swine In Canada, In fact, all over
America has suffered from the same
cause,
Cure for South African Horse sickness
A discovery of considerable interest
and importance Is, says the Times,
announced In the annual report to his
government OF DR., Alexander Eding'
ton, government baCterlologlst at Gra-
hamstown, Cape Colony He claims
that 1t is a perfect and complete so
luton to the problem OF protecting
against horse-sIckness horses which
have TO live In unhealthy districts in
South Africa, AS in the case OF rim
derpest among cattle, DR., Ellington re-
lies upon incubation with the virus
OF the disease to render horses i'm
mune from the malady. In u ylrulent
form, 1t has an energy so great that
no horse can, practically speaking,
Withstand II, whether II IL Communi-
Gated naturally in the vcldt or by artl-
llclal means, But when the virus has
been attenuated a different condition
obtains. The problem over which the
bacterlologist spent much time and
labor was how to overcome the ex-
tremo variation OF susceptibility In
various horses. 1t was found that the
same attenuated virus that would kill
some animals only set up'a mild fever
IN others Still, the experiments went
on, and Dr., Ellington at last establish
cd the right principle Of starting with
virus which had been less reduced,
Serum taken from animals that had
recovered from the disease was tried,
but II possessed no appreciable anti
toxic property. Then serum was OBJ
tained from horses which, after re-
coyery, had been inoculated with doses
or virulent blood; this showed marked
results. or course the old difficulty
OF adapting the virus to the susceptl-
bility of the animal remained but the
system finally adopted was this; Blood
OF the highest order OF vlrulence Is
carefully standardized and preserved
1t Will keep It's powers unchanged for
two years. Standardized serum Is sup
piled, which, bottled in presence Of an
antiseptic, will keep for long periods
A definite amount OF virulent blood Is
mixed with so &C, of serum and in
iected under the horses skin some
days later u smaller dose with the
same proportions is given; at a later
date the process is repeated with {
reduced quantity Of serum; and i
days later pure virulent blood Is in
iected, Thus, the animals system Il
gradually fortified against disease by
the introduction OF virus OF increasing
power; the sickness Is at first produced
In the form Of fever with higk tenn
perature, but in few days norma
state Of health cnsues, and In many
cases horses have been inoculated Will
enormous doses Of virulent blood
without showing any ill-elfects-dose'
enough to have destroyed them out o.
hand unless they had been Injured tC
the poison by the cumulative injec.
tions, Il am happy to say" observes
the doctor that this method leaves
little to be desired, and affords per-
feet and complete solution to the prob.
lem of protecting horses which have
to live in unhealthy districts in South
Africa" According to the Cape Times
DR.. Ellington Is setting up all the ma
chinery and appliances necessary to
the practical application OF the meth
3D. and expects shortly to be able to
meet any demand for material and APP
paratus. In view Of the number Of pre-
pared animals which II will be neces-
sary to maintain, some additional
stablng will be required, and .pr0vl-
sion made for a better water supply,
and the report expresses hope that,
in view Of the enormous benefit which
must accrue from the application of
this discovery, the Cape government
will approve of this expense,