The Arizona copper camp., 1916-08-18
BLACKLEG--D|SEASE
Of YOUNG ANIMALS

Valent In nearly every state IN the
Union. 1t attacks usually young
cattle up to two or three years OF
age. Young animals from six to
1S months old, which are in good
condition are most susceptible. Some
authorities hold that animals over
three years of age are immune. The
more highly bred animals seem to
contract the disease more readily
than the common scrub stock. The
gets into the body either through a
scratch of cut, or through the food
and water. The germs have great
resistance and will live over in pas
lures or yards for many years. The
disease has often developed in pas
lures where it has never occurred be-
fore.
The symptoms of the disease are
usually easily distinguished. There
is frequently found tunfour or
swelling at the point of infection,
and if pressure is applied at this
point crackly souno is heard The
swellings are usually found on the
thigh, shoulder or neck, but may
spread to other parts of the body. In
case the germs are taken in through
the food or water, no tumors may
develop on the outside of tn ebody
The animal is feverish and has no
lies down most Of the time. In most
cases the disease proves fatal from
IL to Sc hours after the first symp-
toms are noticed. If the body of
an animal which has succumbed to
the disease should be examined the
flesh will be found to be dark and
bruised in appearance, with gassy
condition present. 1t is useless to
attempt treatment of animals which
show symptoms of blackleg, and it
is better to kill and bury them at
once. Animals which have died
should be buried deeply to prevent
infection of the premises
Vaccination as Cure
Blackleg has been brought under
control through vaccination. Since
blackleg vaccine was introduced the
loss of calves has been reduced to
less than one per cent for the country
as a whole. 1t is distributed free
of charge by the Bureau of Animal
Industry, Washington, D C, or may
be purchased from any firsh class
drug store 1t is a preventative and
not treatment, and should not be
administered to animals which have
developed symptoms of the disease.
The vaccine can be obtained either
in powder form or m pellets. The
powdered form has TO be mixed with
a definite quantity of water, filtered
and injected underneath the skin by
means of hypoderlnrc syringe. The
from 10 to rs doses, and is to be
mixed with sterile water, at the rate
of one cubic centimeter of water for
each dose. The injection can be made
on the under end of the tail, on the
shoulder or neck. In case pellets are
used, they should be inserted under
instrument made for that purpose.
In vaccinating the greatest caution
should be taken to prevent infection
from germs. The instruments and
utensils should be boiled and the
skin thoroughly disinfected at the
point of injection. Full directions
accompany all of the vaccines which
are obtained either from the Bureau
of Animal Industry or when pur-
chased on the market. The method
of vaccination is so simple that any
farmer or ranchman can perform it
if he will follow the directions
closely.
Period of Immunity
The period of immunity for an ami
NAL vaccination, whel 1t Is over six
months, Is from IL to Is months.
Calves vaccinated before they are six
months old should be re-vaccinated
after about six months. Since the
vaccine does not produce immunity
until about 10 or IL days after it
has been administered, any animals
that die two or three days after vac
vination must have been already in
fected with the germs of the dis
ease. If blackleg has occurred in
a community once, it is advisable
to immunize all the young stock each
year. 1t is almost sure to break out
again sooner or later. Records
show that the disease may break out
in certain pastures after lapse of
II years, and when the soil has once
been infected there is no known
means of freeing It of the garms!
However, by immunizing the cattle
you not only save them, but you pre-
vent the further infection of your
pastures and corrals.-W. S. Cunig-
hab, Assistant Animal Husbandman,
University of Arizona Agricultural
Experiment Station.
DOUGLAS ARMORY