Arizona republican., 1907-02-14
THE SICK CATTLE
ON KIRKLAND RANGES
Investigation by Veterinarians Indi-
cate a New Disease, Probably But
Slightly Contagious.

cate a New Disease, Probably But
Slightly Contagious.
/ Mention was made in these columns
: a few days ago Of new cattle disease
that has made its appearance in the
vicinity of Kirkland. Northern Ari-
iona has hitherto been fortunately very
free from any cattle disease though
there has been some trouble with the
horses and sheep. DR.. Norton, the ter
ritorial veterinarian, heard of this
trouble in the Kirkland herds sometime
ago and took up the matter with some
of the stock owners but was advised
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 were in poor condi-
/ ton for strenuous usage in the posi-
4 bly, necessary treatment. However, he
has kept in constant correspondence
lconcerning 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 be-
ing waged against sheep scabies. DR..
Norton was seen yesterday concerning
| his Investigations.
He said that little good can be ac-
complished in the way of eradicating
disease, by publicity, and often only
harm is done, but as this matter has
gained some publicity little explana-
ton might be OF assistance. The dis
ease had been reported few weeks ago
and the territorial veterinarian set
date for making Investigations, but
Mr.. Rigdon, one of the principal own
ers OF the affected cattle, notified him
that more diseased cattle could be
seen later as most of the stock was
then scattered in the mountains. The
forest reserve supervisor had brought
the matter to the attention of the Unit
ed States bureau of animal industry,
and DR.. Harmon was instructed to con-
fer with DR. Norton and make investi-
cations on the reserves. The doctors
however, commenced investigations at
Kirkland because DR.. Norton had re-
ceived reliable data from that point.
During the investigation which COW
cred several days. only eight head of
diseased or affected cattle could be
found. Several of them tne owners did
not care to destroy thinking they had
hope of the recovery of the animals.
A post norton examination was made
of one animal and it revealed that there
was no symptom whatever of the dis
ease called ''lumpy jaw" or actinomy-
COSTS 1t was found that the tongues
OF practically all the animals were very
hard, were enlarged to twice their nor
NAL size and often prOTruoed from the
mouth. This created an unnatural flow
of saliva, or a ''slobbery'' effect, and
the animals gradually wasted away be-
cause they were unable 10 eat. In
some cases there was an enlargement
of the glands of the throat but only an
occasional one would break open.
This disease is different from any
thing that has been reported from 9TH
er portions Of the territory, but recent
ly there have been reports of a disease
in Canada that is very similar. The
disease in Canada is considered very
slightly if at all contagious and as it
is a new disease il is being investigated
further at the present time.
Doctors Norton and Holman took
sections OF the tongue and glands that
were diseased and sent them to Wash
ington for examination in order To de-
termine if possible, whether the dis
ease was identical with any disease
from other districts. Several theories
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 acses that have been
examined in different parts of
this territory but never before
were great numbers affected nor in any
OF these cases was there evidence
found that the disease was due to in
jury by the food eaten. AS to con-
tagion the disease is very slightly, if
at all contagious. 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 unaffected
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 matter will
be investigated carefully in order to
determine the cause and find the re-
medy. DR.. Norton has arranged with
several Of the stockmen, to be present
at the spring round ups i'm order to
make further Investigations, but is ex-
pecting to go to one or two other
points the latter part of this week pro-
viding the cattlemen are able to gath
er enough of the affected animals to-
gether. Dr. Harmon remained at Kirk
land hoping to find other diseased ami
mails and will join DIR. Norton on his