The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1903-05-02
The Prevention of Black Leg
BY DIR. L. Van Es.

Black leg Of cattle is a fatal dis.
ease especially affecting young
stock and quite prevalent in this
state.
The disease is recognized by gen.
eral symptoms such as high fever
rapid breathing, loss Of appetite
and stiffness in the limbs. The
most important symptom is the ap-
pearance Of a swelling anywhere
on the body or Oh the tieshy parts
of the legs. These swellings are
small at first but rapidly become
larger and often assumes consid-
cradle size with a short space of
time. When the skin is removed
from such swellings the flesh APP
pears very dark in color, whence
the name, black leg.
When we press on the swelling
with our hands a cracking sound
is heard, which is produced by the
formation Of gas in the diseased
tissues. The disease terminates
fatally within a shor; time after
the first symptoms make their APP
pearance. tits perfectly useless
to give medicine with view of
curing the disease. but all our ef-
forts should be concentrated in
the direction of prevention. With
this in view two things must lie
looked after. first, preventative
vaccination, and second, the proper
destruction of carcasses. dead with
the disease.
By vaccination we keep the an
imal from having a fatal attack of
the disease. The vaccine comes
as q. d,lx-ioowder, which, before adj
mnnisstgation is dissolved in water
filtered and is then ready to be
injected by means Of a hypoder-
mic syringe under the skin back
Of the shoulder. By making proper
application the vaccine can be OBJ
tanned free of charge, from the
Bureau of Animal Industry, Wash
ngton. d. g. When intending to
vaccinate cattle procure applica-
ton blank, which must be filled
out carefully and returned, when
vaccine will be duly forworded.
by no means apply for more than
what you actually need yourself.
In return you are expected to fur
nish the bureau. with some infor-
nation on blanks, which are pro-
vided for that purpose. The nee
essary syringe can be obtained
at most drug stores. tits very
highly recommended that all far
5-,1ars aaa s5o71z xais9-C vaooins,ttee
IN et1:zk b3jHoen sia moths at1l
5:1vo year ol5l. Ii Va2oination wers
te, l;5 ssne-aily rza Jticed every
yoar1, tS,ile disease would gradually
disappear.
The disposal Of ANIMALS dead
with the disease should by no
means be neglected. Carcasses
are loaded with Infection and if
they be allowed to purify on the
pasture or be torn to pieces by
dogs or wolves, the infective ma
terial will be scattered over a. lar
ger area and the danger of spread
ing the disease unnecessarily in
creased. The best way to destroy
carcasses is by burning them un-
til they are entirely consumed. If
burning is not practicable. bury
ing must be resorted to. This
should be done at least six feet
deep and the carcass should he
we'll covered with lime before fill
ing the hole.
The County Commissioners Of
Kidder county ordered the pub
fishing of the law relating to prai-
RE fires, in the official
paper for two issues. The people
of that county will not be able to
say that they dia not know the
law. The move is a good one and
from the numerous fires in this
section this spring, something more
is needed than just the mere pub
fishing Of the law.
The editor Of the Leader re-
ceived an invitation to be present
at the dedicatory exercises of the
Sc. Lonis exnosition. but were nm.