Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-12-01
THE DISEASE is DESCRIBED
Its Prevalence in New England Said to
Be the Most Serious Problem the
Agricultural Department Has Had to
Meet for Some Time-Effectve Meas
ures Taken.
Special to Times Republican.

in the othre New England states named
in his order for some time past but
has been concealed from the authori-
ties. The first official information OBJ
tanned as to the existence of this
dreaded cattle disease in the New En-
gland states by Secretary Wilson was
received from DR.. Austin Peters, chief
of the Massachusetts cattle bureau
about week ago.
DR.. Peters claims that his attention
was only recently called to the matter
by veterinarian at Dedham and that
he thereupon gave the herd in question
careful personal examination, which
disclosed the existence OF the disease to
such an extent that he at once informed
the department here of the condition of
affairs. Secretary Wilson Immediately
appointed DR.. James Law of Cornell,
DR.. Leonard Pearson, state veterinarian
of Pennsylvania, and DR.. John r. Moh-
Ter, expert in animal pathology of the
United States department, a commits
sion to proceed at once to Massachu-
sets to make a thorough investigation
first of the herds in the vicinity of Bos-
ton, Mass, and afterwards of herds
turnout that state and those neighbor-
ing. The purpose of this investigation,
says Mr.. Wilson, was to establish the
identity of the disease, trace It's ORR
gin, determine the extent of the dis
ease up to the present time and to pre-
vent it's further extension by every
possible means.
Before the secretary issued his quar-
antine orders the above named gentle
men visited the herds at Chelsea, Need
ham, Concord, Brighton and Dedham,
Mass. and in consequence of their IN
yestigations at once forwarded recon-
mendations to the bureau of animal in
dustry here that 1t would be necessary
for the secretary to issue quarantine
orders. These were Immediately pre-
pared and sent out on Thursday
Nov. 81.
mo. 100. Whereas, A highly conta-
gious disease, known as foot and mouth
disease, exists among cattle in the state
of Massachusetts, and the routes OF
Transportation possibly may have been
contaminated, and in order to protect
the export trade in live animals by
preventing the expectation of animals
which are diseased or which have been
exposed to disease,
ut is hereby ordered, That no cat
tie. sheep or other ruminants or swine
shall be permitted to be exported from
the port of Boston until further orders,
(SigneO James "lisoh'
Secretary"
Wilson describes the foot and mouth
,l,s ha
New England problem is the most serl-
Gus matter the agricultural department
has had to handle for some time, as
a specific fever, which localizes itself
on the mouth, udder and feet OF rum
mating animals, in the form OF bllsters.
and is exceedingly infectious, the IN
lection seeming to. be in the sallVa
"drooled'' along the ground, and 1t is
thought that the cattle, While Walking
hurst the hoof blisters, the contents
of which are strewn along the ground
also. Wherever the infected cattle
have been. even if only driven along
the highway appears to be sure
source of infection. The out break oil
the disease comes in from to IA days
after the infection.
Cleanliness is the remedy advised for
afflicted animals, particularly Where
they may stand, the chief danger OF
complications appearing to be In the
picking up of dangerous germs in the
EXPOSED surfaces of the broken bllsterS,
leading to abcesses and blood poison
ing.
The disease is communicable to man
and the great majority of warm-blood-
ed animals, largely, however, by direct
incubation.
This outbreak is the first which has
visited this country, but it has long
been a common epidemic among the
ruminants of Europe and Asia.
Mr. Wilson is very hopeful that the
measures which are now being in
augurated by DR.. Salmon, chief of the
bureau of animal industry in conjunc-
ton with Doctors Law and Pearson
who are still investigating the matter
with view to determining the source
of introduction, will prevent further
spread of the epidemic, at least beyond
the Hudson In regard to this Mr.. Will
son said yesterday Il do not know how
the disease was introduced nor am /
aware of it's extent as yet, but you
can say that the department will spare
no expense or energy in having the
disease stamped out and that as soon
as possible for il one bullock should
arrive in England suffering with this
disease, the British government would
issue an order preventing the shipment
of our cattle in their market for some
time.
In England, in 1888, the losses on
account of this disease amounted in one
wear to 5000 900. In France, in 1871
the loss was $7,5O0,000, and in Switzer-
land. in the same year, $2,500,000.
1t is regarded as likely at the bureau
of animal industry here, that Maine
and New Hampshire will be placed I'M
der quarantine also as Investigations
are now being conducted in regard to
the condition of certain herds in those
states by experts sent thither by the
secretary.
DR.. F. w. Huntington u. S. govern
ment cattle inspector at Portland, Me-.
has been ordered by the department to
allow no New England cattle for ex-
port from that port and to take every
precaution against contagion.
1t is said that western cattle shipped
from Portland have always been kept
separate from New England cattle, and
en- there is not so mulch danger of con-