The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-01-19
ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPOTTED FEVER.
An Interesting Disease of Our Western
States.

How many of the early trappers, hunt
ers and prospectors who went into the
northwestern Rockies and never return,
] ing were supposed TO have been toma.
hawked by the Indians or chewed up by
grizzly bears but in reality died from the
bite of Misunderstanding wood tick will
never be known.
Previous to 1902, il was generally be.
lieved that the terms spotted fever, '
"blue measles, /" "black fever" and "moun-
tain fever" were localisms used by ply
sicians in the Rocky mountain region Of
| the United States for such common dis
eases as scarlet fever, smallpox, measles
and typhoid. IL is now realized that
some, at least, of these doctors were cor
rect and that there does exist a distinct
disease called Rocky mountain spotted
fever, which is found in certain localities
scattered over this immense territory.
This is an American made" disease,
commonly transmitted 10 man BY the
bite of an infectiye wood tick. Exactly
where il originated OF how much il has
spread since the settlement Of the North.
west was begun is not known, but Il
seems probable that the shifting herds Of
buffalo and later the great numbers OF
range cattle frequently must have carried
infectiye ticks up and down 4he streams
and occasionally across the divides from
one water course to another.
The landmarks which might have aid
ed MS in solving the problems Of the orig
in and distribution Of the disease were
removed along with the Indian and the
cattle rustler in the rapid development of
the wonderful West and only speculs-
tion along these lines Is left 10 us.
The important question now Il how
great does the danger loom under present
economic conditions Of the disease spread
ing throughout the West, or Of even BE-
ing carried across the Mississippi river
into the eastern states.
The United STATES government through
the public health service has attempted
20 solve this question by locating ail The
known areas Of Infection IN the Rocky
mountain region. Records werc collected
turing the present year of 40 cases Of
Rocky mountain spotted fever, with -
deaths. occurring in seven states. Two
Other states are known 30 have the dis
ease.
Prom this Il is seen that tlie disease
j. a little less fatal than typhoid fever,
and the total humber If cnses. a. com
pared aith typhoid fever, j. small Indeed
The disease. however. Is n serious mat
ter in certain localities and there b e
valley IN southwestern Montana tie De-
velorment 81 whieh has bern greatly Pc
tarde8 ~ tie presencr OF Roakv m0ur
tain "a spotted Fever in q firuirnt form.
According b. ne puhlie hesith feTsai ts.
the pebble healtt SERVICES has been 90
wurk there fg ths past sguf vegfa o.
struviug tie wund tials ard tiarir robert
fosts 81 a. eFort 90 eradicate tlf f'f-
saae from tho valley Rs4-t expert
neuts inEiratt thaf sheep rreF.rs Is tisf f
mgsi feaHibie rnethoa az aeasn,f15shirr
ltis rnH IN this rnrt ieuiar lnaalfr.
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fsaa
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