The copper era., 1907-02-21
THE SICK CATTLE
ON KIRKLAND RANGES
Investigation by Veterinarians Indicate
a New Disease, Slightly Contagious

NCH DiSCdSt, SIiSnlIy OUHtdSIUuo
Mention was made in these columns
of new cattle disease that has made
its appearance in the vicinity OF
| Kirkland. Northern Arizona has
hitherto been fortunately very free
from any cattle disease though there
has been some trouble with the horses
and sheep. DIR. Norton, the terri
torial veterinarian, heard of this
trouble in the Kirkland herds some
time ago and took up the matter with
some of the stock owners but was ad-
vised that the time was not propitious
for him to do much, as the affected
cattle just at that time were hard to
get at and many of them in poor con-
dition for strenuous usage in the pos
sible necessary treatment. However,
he has kept in constant correspond
ence concerning the matter and
several days ago visited Kirkland in
company with DR.. Harmon, of the
bureau of animal industry, who is now
in the territory in connection with
the war that is being waged against
sheep scabies. DIR. Norton was seen
concerning his Investigations.
He said that little good could be
accomplished in the way of eradicat-
ing disease, by publicity, and often
only harm is done: but as this matter
has gained some publicity a little ex-
plana tion might be of assistance.
The disease had been reported a few
weeks ago and the territorial veteri-
marian set a date for making inyesti-
cations, but Mr.. Rlgdon, one of the
principal owners of the affected
cattle, notified him that more dis
cased cattle could be seen later as
most of the stock was then scattered
in the mountains. The forest reserve
supervisor brought the matter to the
attention of the United States bureau
of animal industry, and DIR. Harmon
was instructed to confer with DR..
Norton and make Investigations on
the reserves. The doctors however,
commenced Investigations at Kirt-
land because DIR. Norton had received
reliable data from that point.
During the investigation which
covered several days, only eight head
of diseased or affected cattle could
be found. Several of them the own
ers did not care TO destroy thinking
they had hope of the recovery of the
animals. A post mortem- examina-
vealed that there was no symptom
whatever of the disease called
''lumpy jaw' or actinomycosis. 1t
was found that the tongues of prac-
tically all the animals were very
hard, were enlarged to twice their
normal size and often protruded from
the mouth. This created an un-
natural flow of saliva, or ''slobbery"
effect, and the animals gradually
wasted away because they were un-
able to eat. In some cases there was
an enlargement of the glands of the
throat but only occasional one would
break open.
The disease is different from any
thing that has been reported from
other portions Of the territory. Re-
Gently there have beenreports of dis
ease in Canada that is very similar.
The disease in Canada is considered
very slightly if at all contagious and
as it is new disease it is being inves-
tigated further at the present time.
Doctors Norton and Harmon took
sections of the tongue and glands
that were diseased and sent them to
Washington for examination IN order
to determine if possible whether the
disease was Identical with any disease
from other districts. Several theor-
les have been presented as the cause
of the disease. Among them the
eating of cacti, oak leaves, grass and
other things that have hard or sharp
points. These have been the cause
of occasional cases that have been
examined in several parts of the ter
ritory but never before were great
numbers affected nor in any of these
cases were there evidence found that
the disease was due to injury by the
food eaten. AS to contagion the dis
ease is very slightly it at all con-
tagious. Very often only one animal
out OF a great many together would
be found affected, and sometimes a
COW is found to have been affected
for several months, with an unaffect-
ed yearling calf running by her side.
However as some Of the stockmen
claim to have lost from one to two
per cent of their herds from this
cause during the last year, the mat
ter will be investigated carefully in
order to determine the cause and find
the remedy.-Republican.
Skin Disease of Twenty Years
Standing Cured.