The Washington times., 1902-09-22
VACCINE PREVENTS
BLACKLEG IN CATTLE
Government Scientists Have
Discovered Method
ARE DISTRIBUTING REMEDY
An Exhaustive Series of Experiments
Have Shown Satisfactorily That This
Malady May Be Absolutely Prevented
From Attacking Cows and Steers.

One of the most interesting and i'm
portant undertakings of the bureau o
'blackleg" in cattle by vaccination. DR.
d. E. Salmon, the chief of the bureau
DR.. Victor A Noorgard. and DR.. Johr
R. Mohler, of the division OF pathology
have been foremost IN the experiment
and have prepared plan for its genera
and effective use. Several agents of the
bureau in different parts of the country
have taken careful note of he effect oi
bovine vaccination, and have made In
teresting and convincing reports.
Blackles seems 20 be the sout OF the
bovine race. The penalty the cows pay
for getting civilized. Generally cattls
afflicted Will the disease are in good
condition OF flesh and are Eept within
close limits The experts also say sud
den changes in the COW cuisine induce
the disease. Too mrct 10 eat and too
little exercise are the principal causes.
The disease Is common in nearly all parts
of the world, and occurs at all times OF
the year. The general symptoms are .
high fever, loss of appetite and depres-
sion, quick respiration, suspended rumt-
nation. The name comes from the tumor
or swelling which appears under the
skin, generally about the legs The old
settlers gave 1t the name and they fixed
it about right, for when the skin is
taken off the affected parts are found
to be discolored.
Disease Very Common.
This blackleg is in every part of the
United States and all over the world,
and causes immense loss. Infection gen.
orally takes place from abrasions and
too much familiarity with wire fences.
Recovery is exceedingly rare. The now
familiar germ theory is in evidence in
the case of blackleg. and the scientists
say the commonest little hillside year
ling may support million germs.
The vaccine is prepared in this city.
Several experts are engaged in the work
at the laboratory on B Street south
west. In the year 1900 there were pre-
pared under the direction of DR.. Moor
gard, of the pathological division, 1,016,-
$50 doses, and this number has been
vastly increased each year since. 1t is
sent on application of responsible par
ties, who submit to the bureau state
ment of the effect of the treatment.
They are required strictly TO follow the
directions given out in printed form.
The latest reported issue OF vaccine for
a year under the conditions imposed was
.5S2, ,625 doses. The work in this con-
nection necessitated the sending Of
80, 400 pieces of mail as well as the filing
and tabulation of approximately the
same number of letters and reports.
The work also required the writing and
filing of about 10000 cards for the per-
sonal and geographic card catalogue,
kept for the use of the workers.
DR.. Salmon's Report.
In his annual report Dr. Salmon says:
From reports received, it is safe to
conclude that the loss from blackleg in
all herds where this vaccine has been
used will fall below per cent. although
it is the general impression that the
past year has been what is known as a
bad blackleg year throughout the en-
tire country. II is gathered from infor-
nation received from all States anc
L tl IltOi ltS lhdl tiiC
loss from blackleg would have been
greatly in excess of that which is gen.
orally experienced The expenses in con-
,ection with the preparation and distri-
1ution of this vaccine have not exceeded
those of the previous year, when only
,076 $50 doses were distributed"
Work Has Been Arduous.
Tho ,rnrl, Of inYrnd,cino tbjc yaccina
n the treatment of blackleg has not been
altogether happy picnic. Requests for
he stuff have been made without a
statement as to the age of the animal
o be treated. The bureau makes a
'ast difference in its regulations for
reating the fatted calves of the ranches
md the venerable tenants of the stock
ards. Far too many men have doctored
heir cattle with a jacknife, thereby
polling the health as we'll as running
he looks.
Both DR.. Salmon and DR.. Noorgard af-
lrm that vaccination is preventive of
lackleg. The figures are not yet suf
cieEtly advanced to allow any accurate
alculatinn. but 1t Is asserted the at |
empts c. the bureau have resulted al |
eady in the reduction of the blackleg |
cath rate by 90 per cent, touching the |
attic Industry the country over.
The reports received from citizens OF |
he States in which blackleg is most |
angerous on account of the large herds |
cattle indicate the stock raisers look |
n the method with great deal of hope |
nd respect. IL is eontended by many
hat the only hope for the general use
( the vaccine is for the Government to
lrnish il 1t is contended that the
price is almost prohibitive.
nywhere the stuff costs about 20 cents
dose. and what il would cost If the
overnment were out of the business is
matter of painful conjecture. Each
ose costs the Government less than
ne-tbird of ! cent. An official of the
ureau argues for the utility of the
,heme in this manner:
Governments Good Work.
When it is further considered that
lie application of 100000 doses of fresh,
sc, 600 worth Of cntfle at 500 per head
= reducing the mortality from approxi-
ately ~ per cent to one-half of l per
,nt. it must he admitted that each s31S
ipended by the Government for this
irpose is well spent"
Endorsements of the plan have been
'ceived from many of tho eminent and
'actical men of the West, among them
,ing p. F. Mcclure. president of the
erre National Bank, North Dakota;
'hn NJ. Adams. owner of Grassmere
'rse and cattle ranch, Potter. Neb.;
ate Veterinarian R. H. Teacy Of
orth Dakota; l.. Vail. of Arizona,
esideDt of the larpeSt land and cattle
mpany of the Southwest; Byers Bros.
ansas City. Mo-. and others.
Or; Mohier, Of the bureau. is now In