The St. Louis Republic., 1902-12-21
Assistant State Veterinarian Says
Disease Prevailed to I'm
usual Extent This Year.
SPREAD BY INFECTED CARS.
Suggests That Federal Govern
ment Prohibit Use of Southern
Cattle Cars North of
Quarantine Line.

Springfield. ILL.,, Dec. 20.-The forthcoming
annual report of the State Board OF Live
Stock Commissioners will contain the fol-
lowing report of Doctor l.. C. Tiffany. As
sistant State Veterinarian on Texas or
tick fever among cattle:
To the Honorable Board Of Lire Stock Com
missioners: Gentlemen-I have the honor TO sub
nit you the following report concerning Texas
or tick fever. which has prevailed un-
usual extent during the present year. outbreaks
having occurred in the counties OF Henderson.
Macoupin. Shelby. MeEard. Greene. Warren and
Mclean.
Investigations made during these outbreaks and
subsequently prove cOnclusively that the infec-
ton was caused by shipments of cattle in cars
that had previously transported Southern cattle
and which had not been cleansed and disinfect-
ed before occupancy by native cattle
METHOD OF TRANSMISSION
A brief explanation OF the manner of trans
mission of this disease might appropriately be
given here, and is as follows:
The disease .s not contagious in any inter
nTstation Pre- OF the word but is infectious through
sfs au Is M 5ss psn sps0 o of all Sk
upon afryng at matu1ty fall from the infested
die. In from about hfteen to a srea;er number
OF days, depending upon the condition OF the
Young ticks, which in turn infest cattle which
may come in contact with them.
ssstions Sf me south contains infsenSa. germs
skperimentaIIy or Otherwise. WIN produce Texas
such Southern animals are ed Wh those
germ oThs Ehfh they I transmit slr to the young sos
attached TO their host, sucking their blood for
sustenancs sas nam form z circulation by which they
germ-laden blood OF their own bodies.
NORTHERN CATTLE NOT IMMUNE.
In the South the native cattle are immune to
the disease. and the presence OF these young
mails OF the North are not immune. and infesta-
b hSn with ] these young ticks II in Sufficient mum,
It Is apparent that cattle bearing mature ticks.
o6S Of M nS the sd Of them The
there conducted If the tempe; ature Of summer eI-
win in time contain Millions of young eks w
ing fer hosts upon which to make their habita-
Northern or susceptible animal Of the bovine p rpe.
Ses Gle; the disease eCmmo1ly called Texas fever.
duced. making Its appearance in about fourteen
fectng cars which have transported Southern
] the for 4 oni ason sho1d not be
tick should escape destruction. serious results
their appearance and are not destroyed' serious
results will certainly occur If native Northern
animals come into their presence.
INFECTED CARS.
From the fact that in every one Of the out
breaks thi, season the period of incubation. so
called, was about fourteen days-that is. four.
manifestation Of the disease-no other source Of
infection could have been possible. provided the
yards through which they had passed were free
from Infection.
AS % Of IN the the eas w the
through the National Stock Yards at East St
gallon as to the method Of handling southern then
cattle therein and made the report that the sys-
ne sna Sf hass nses
tion 70 native cattle passing through these yards
% the cars must have been
The Henderson County infection WAS traced d.
cattle Transportation in the southern States be-
% low the % Quarantine dIa line, which was finally
loaded with railroad ties and after being an
s sss in IN e aos
east corner Of that State. which occupied the
serious that ali the cattle died. ''-eA WIS -
In the other outbreaks so many different cars
nate positively which ones wsfe responsible Tor
the trouble As an example carload q Mis-
ticnal Stock Yards and is sold out to various in
ass up only feS sor sa
nent out Of several pens. About fourteen days
and upon IS sesabe To
ascertain positively from whom and whence
III at two as 'h have h s s
readily seen how difficult II Is to fix the ss-
the case this season, six or eight cars were In,
volved in the shipment
SAFEGUARD PROPOSED.
If the Federal authorities will prohibit the
movement of cars, which have transported
Southern cattle below the quarantine line, north
IF 'e R sif ap G unless
thoroughly ceansed and disinfected, the
danger of tick fever infection Will be materially
lessened.
As noted in the Henderson County case a car
which had transported Southern cattle below
the line loaded with ties without being dis
infected. brought North and unloaded after which
II is innocently. probably, placed again in cat
tie traffic. dealing death TO all native Northern
cattle that may be so unfortunate as to occupy
vented and ! believe the railroad companies
would be grateful If such restrictions would be
applied. cost of disinfection is far below the
damage arising from its omission
what appears to be a loose system OF issuance Of
permits import Southern cattle into other
States. Illinois, already stated, requires that
each shipment be reported to the secretary OF
other States do not have this requirement. issu-
ing a general permit with no official super
From this one may conclude that a careless
back into the regular traffic with serious
suits before the error is discovered, perhaps
operating in Illinois, as perhaps occurred this
Seasoo
ber and initials OF all cars which had trans
ported cattle among which the disease had oc-
CURED was secured, also the number and initials
of all the cars that had brought Southern cat
tie into Illinois this season under special per
nit, and upon comparison not one car in the
latter class involved In any shipment in
which the disease occurred. This proved con-
clusively that your system OF issuing permits
is eminently practical and safe. and is to be
commended to other Northern States. With the
e,,cop fad nd enforced. the