St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1909-02-03
The Government and the Farmer.
What Was Done to Help Herd of Water
ford Cows.

ment as something that collects customs
on the border and seaport towns and
manages the postal service. Few realize
what valuable service the agricultural
department is doing for the farmer, but
Arthur T. Young of Waterford knows all
about it and what follows in this article
is of general interest because it shows
how thorough in its Investigations the
department officials are. The matter of
the sickness in Mr.. Young's herd was
first called to the attention of Congress
man Foster and he at once communicate
ed with the agricultural department.
They wasted no time nor spared any
money to ferret out the cause of the
trouble and how they succeeded and
what they found is here given in letter
from DR.. Evans:
Mr.. EDITOR:
have been requested to write an ex-
PLANTATION of the disease which has been
for the past few weeks affecting the
cattle belonging to A. T. Young, of Wat
erford.
This disease was first noticed on Nov
ember 27, 1905 Mr.. Young having
common sense and COW sense, enough to
know that there was a serious trouble
there, telephoned me to come out and in
vestigate The disease at that time
affecting but two animals, did not i'm
press me as serious as it did three days
later when called again and held a post
norton examination on the second
animal which had died. at once took
specimens of affected organs and sent
them to the State Laboratory of Hygiene
for microscopic examination. Not know
ing but this was a contagious disease of
some kind which would, if allowed to
spread, cause inestimable loss to stock
owners, and possibly endanger the health
of the public asked MIR. Young to keep
these cattle in quarantine until some deh-
mite conclusion could be arrived at.
then called DR.. Stevens of White River,
asking him to come up and assist me in
diagnosing the case. The following day,
DR.. Stevens and l visited the Young
place and killed one animal for post
mortem work. We sent specimens OF
this to Burlington and Hanover for ex-
animation. Hearing nothing satistac-
tory from these quarters, killed another
affected animal, and sent specimens to
the Washington Laboratory of Hygiene.
AR. Young knowing Congressman Fos-
ter, wrote him to try and hurry the ex-
animation as much as possible. Con-
gresham Foster telegraphed that he
would go to the laboratory that day
and do all he could to expedite matters.
Later we received a report that there
was nothing contagious about specimens
submitted, but that they were OF the
opinion that it was forage poisoning.
They sent DR.. Brock employed by the
U S. Bureau and then at Burlington"
over here the same week. DR.. Brock
took specimens of feed which was sent to
Washington for analysis. The report on
same is as follows:
Mr.. A. T. YOUNG,
X. F. D., St. .Iohnsbury, VT.
Sir:
Referring to the outbreak of disease
affecting your cattle a short time ago,
and the examination of specimens of feed
forwarded by Dr. R. 0, Brock to this
office on the 30th ultimo, you are ad-
vsed that DR.. Brooks diagnosis of forage
poisoning was in harmony with our
findings. The pea vine hay and millet
were badly affected with two deleterious
moulds, and this condition combined
with the use of large quantities of cotton
seed meal over long period of time
would form a combination that should
be looked on with well justified sus-
pcion. Cotton seed meal in this in
stance, however. should not be blamed
unless it has been fed in larger quantities
than is indicated in the sample of grain
forwarded.
Very respectfully,
!. R. MoHLER,
Chief, Pathological Division.
Quite good deal of criticism has been
offered on this disease by various would
be-diagnosticians," though the opinion
of professional men has been guarded, all
consulted, contessing ignorance. One
eminent authority stated that it was a
disease called Mechanical Fever. The
same person later stated that it was
Black Murrain. Now | believe | have
the latest and most up to date works on
veterinary science, but fail to find either
of these diseases mentioned. Dry Muir
rain is mentioned in some of the older
works as a stomach disease, but not
Black Murrain The stomach OF these
animals were in each case the least at
fected.
Mechanical Fever seems to be a new
disease. My version of this disease is
that it is disease produced mechanical
ly, probably more commonly seen in a
slaughter house produced by the axe
coming in contact with the head, or
sticks used in persuading the animals to
go into their places their anmalinstincts
forbid them going.
conclude by saying that everything
possible has been done to clear up this
disease Mr., Wilson, cattle commission
er, telephoned me to do all | thought
necessary and just in behalf of the state,
this | have endeavored to do. Mr..
Young's cattle have recovered, and while
he has sustained a heavy loss he has
played the part of gentleman, offering
all the support he could to Federal and
State authorities in the Investigations
which took place. These cattle were
tuberculin tested one week ago and
proved free from tuberculosis.
Trusting this will explain some of the
things which the public was deeply in
tereSted in, am
Sincerely,
L. A. EVANS.