The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-04-06
THOUSANDS OF CATTLE
KILLED BY DR.. SALMON
Drastic War Against Foot-and-Mouth Disease Still
Goes On.

FOot-and- mouth disease cases are re
ported from New Hampshire and Yer
mont at intervals. and the officials Of
the Bureau of Animal Industry have not
relaxed the vigilance of their fight
against the disease. Much trouble Is
experienced IN finding herds which have
had the disease, but are now practically
cured. Experienced has proven TO the
experts that many Of these herds are
still dangerous sources of infection, but
the owners naturally do not come for
ward and announce that their cattle
have once had the disease. for in that
case they are apt to have the entire
herd condemned and killed on the
ground that 1t is a menace 20 other cat
tie.
The extent of the Government war on
this destructive ard highly contagious
disease Is not appreciated even by those
who have lost their herds. When it
was found that the only way to stop the
epidemic was TO kill the cattle Director
Salmon. of the Bureau of Animal Indus
try began 20 figure on a basis upon
which to recompense the farmers. He
determined that 20 per cent of the ami
mails value when sound would be a
proper return TO the farmer.
Farmers Paid for Cattle Killed.
Cows sick with The disease do not
give milk of any value, become thin, and
are an expense without making a return.
A steer becomes thin and weak and 1t is
a long time before he can be fattened
up to the selling Ioint. Dr.. Salmon took
these points into consideration and
thought that &c per cent of the sound
value would be fair, which has been ad-
mitted by all except a few farmers. who
could see nothing but oppression in the
whole campaign.
/ Up to March 1 the bureau had spent
for animals destroyed $106, 600. Twenty
herds have been killed in the last
month. bringing the total amount to
| S125 600 The farmers are also recon-
| pensed for the damage done in disin-
fecting their stables, and for the food
| or buildings which the inspectors may
burn in their efforts 10 stamp out the
malady.
About 400 head Of cattle have beer
killed, but that does not represent the
total loss. Sheep. pigs, goats. and al
Illuminating animals are subject to the
disease. The death Of the COWS on Z
farm means the death of the sheep and
goats as well. if they have been any
where near the sick animals. The hogs
killed number 2S3, and the sheep and
goats 126. It is thought that deer would
contract the disease if they were Il
come into contact with sick cattle. bu
no cases of the sort have been found
as yet
Origin of the Disease insAmerica. s
The origin of the foot and-mouth dis
| ease in the United States is a mystery
It has been known and recognized il
Europe for fifty years, but probably ex
listed there for many years before. II
some unknown manner it reached Mas
sachusetts, developed there. and thel
spread into Rhode Island, New Hamp
shire. and Vermont It's effect is L
cause sores in the mouth and over tn
hoof. The animal cannot walk or eat Il
comfort. becomes thin and emaciated
and finally dies, if the attack is sever
lenough. and the animals system is weak
The disease is not very fatal but II i
remarkably contagious and infectious, s.
that one case in herd almost invari
ably means that the entire herd vii
suffer.
Recovery from the disease is slow an
painful. It is never known to VIVA
extent the disease remains in the sys
TEN. and animals apparently cured. ar
subject to sudden relapses and a fresi