Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1905-03-24
DEADLY BLACK LEG.

1 III IdIGly 1iAcGlS GdlNlt over , staIS JILL
Formerly this disease WAS regarded
as identical with anthrax, or rather IL
was considered as one form of anthrax;
but more recent Investigations have
demonstrated that the two diseases
are entirely separate and distinct, both
as TO cause and symptoms. Black leg
is caused hy specific bacillus that is
entirely different from the IN that
causes anthrax. Black leg is charac-
terized by more or less extensive ex-
ternal swellings which contain fluid
and large quantities of gas, so that
they emit a cracking sound when
handled. These swellings are most
frequently seen in the hips or shoulders
n when cut into present the appear
ance of mashed flesh and partially
clotted dark blood, hence the name.
black leg, quarter i'll, etc.
AT one time il was supposed that the
disease was due to too high feeding,
especially on rich pasturage. This
was probably because the fatter AMI
mails of the droye are usually the first
to be affected. This theory still pre-
walls in many sections. and many cat
tie owners are in the habit OF taking
their young cattle off feed and giving
them exhaustive drives as soon as
the disease makes its appearance in
their herds. While others have great
faith in the Towel, believing that 1t re-
duces the condition OF the animal.
Again, others who believe that the
disease is due to high feeding take
away the feed for a time. While each
OF these theories may have some merit,
they are of SO little value that they do
not afford much relief in badly infected
localities. AS stated above, the disease
is due TO a specific bacillus. and with
out this bacillus there will be no black
leg, n when an animal is once infect
ed medicine, etc, are OF little use.
The disease is more prevalent in
warm countries, but is quite common
in places in cole countries. The bacillus
that causes the disease is capable of
living in moist ground and in certain
sections ii is constantly found in the
ground in large numbers and is very
liable to concentrate the grass grown
upon UGH infected ground. In all such
districts it is dangerous to pasture
cattle, especially young ones. as often
from 10 to 20 per cent. of the young
cattle will die of his disease unless
they have been previously vaccinated.
The bacilla are very resistant to
changed conditions m the action of
drugs and owing TO their being so
wide spread in these infected locali-
ties. it is very difficult and Impractical
to disinfect the premises. especially the
pastures. Yet much may be lone TO
prevent the Introduction Of the germs
into new localities. The disease is due
to the development OF the germ within
the animal organism and 1T has been
demonstrated that the germs may gain
an entrance to the system through III
feed or wounds such as a barb Wire
wound.
The symptoms of black leg nay be
either of a general or a local character,
but most frequently there will be more
Or less local manifestations such as
more or less extensive swelling. sore
ness and lameness.
In the early stages there usually is a
high fever. loss of appetite and anima-
ton followed by lameness and stiffness
IF one or more limbs, due to the more
or less extensive swelling OF the af-
fected parts. The disease may last
from one to three days. but frequently
the course is so rapid that the first
warning the owner has is the finding of
one or more dead animals. In nearly
all cases the disease results In the
death of the animals. In the cases
where death does not take place for
two or three days, there is increased
weakness, difficult breathing n oc-
casional attacks of violent commissions.
There are three or four diseases that
may be mistaken for black leg. but
none of them is liable to have the ex-
~tensive swelling seen in black leg, ex-
cept in connection with a Wound of con-
siderable size.
Treatment OF animals that are affect
ed is usually ~unavailing. No drugs
have as yet been discovered that viii
effect a cure in any number of cases.
Some recommend that the swellings be
opened by a long, deep i~ncision, and
strong solutions OF carbolic acid or 9TH
pr drugs injected into the parts; but
This procedure is worse than useless, be-
cause an animal is rarely if eyer cured
nv this n~ropadura and tt Sc pocitiVaIv
dangerous TO others of the flock be-
cause the fluids that escape from the
wound contain large numbers of the
germs and these will be scattered
around the pasture, lot or stable, as
the case may be.
Although many firmly believe in the
| various methods above mentioned, ex-
p~erience has demonstrated that none
Of these is Of value in infected local
tiles. But 1t has been demonstrated,
| beyond all question of doubt, that we
have Il remedy that viii Immune cat
tie against this disease. This treatment
Is in the line of a preventative rather
than a cure. although it will usually
check the spread Of the disease within
the herd, as few animals will contract
the disease after they have been vac
einated.
This treatment consists in injecting
into the system a certain amount of a
| properly prepared vaccine. which works
upon much the same principle as vac.
aination I'm the human against small
pox. BY the use of this vaccine the loss
I'm many of the badly infected localities
has been reduced from 10 TO 20 per cent
10 about " OF ! per cent, that is in
those sections where the loss without
vaccination was running from 10 to 20
out of every 100 animals, the use of
the vaccine has reduced the loss to
about 1 out OF every 200 animals. and
this loss could probably be reduced by a
more systematic use of the vaccine.
In localities where the disease is pre-
valent 1t is advisable to vaccinate all
young cattle at least once a year or
better, twice a year, in the spring just
before turning to pasture and in the
fall when the spring calves are about
5-months-old. This vaccination should
de done on the same basis that build
ings. ETC., are insured against fire and
it Will pay larger returns on the money
Invested than the ordinary fire insur-
ance. Sh uld the disease break out
In a locality where IL is not prevalent
the young cattle OF the infected herd
should be v~accinated at once, so as TO
check the spread of the disease within
the herd and the young cattle of the
herd should be v~accinated again within
a year, probably the following spring.
The vaccine may be procured through
the bureau of animal Industry or from
several reliable private firms at a
small cost per head. The process OF
vaccinating differs somewhat. But
none is difficult and all can be success
fully carried out by an intelligent
farmer or should he prefer he can usu-
ssI1x- tho cnF,fGa IF a nrtnr rafns,