New Mexico state record., 1921-05-06
BLACKLEG THREATENS
THE YOUNG CATTLE


Blackleg in cattle is prevalent in
many parts of the Governments re-
clamatiou territory al this season of
the year, and is another Of the dis
eases for which no effectual cure
has vet been discovered; but It can
be prevented TO large degree by pre-
cautionary measures, Although less
widespread than tuberculosis or hog
cholera. il causes annually the loss
~ thousands OF valuable animals. II
is one Of the most insidious diseases
in its spread, the germs being dis
seminated on pastures by improper
disposal OF dead animals Cattle be-
tween months and 2 years Of age
are the most susceptible Death is
practically certain and every precau-
t!ou has TO be taken 10 prevent
contacicn once the disease gets into
the herd
Backleg. black quarter, or quarter
III. which also has several other
name, Is rapidly fatal infectious
disease OF Young cattle, with exter-
nal swellings that emit a cracking
sound when handled This disease
formerly was regarded as identical
with anthrax, but Investigations by
various scientists in recent times have
proved definitely the entire dissinil-
arity of the two.
Not Found Everywhere
Like anthrax, blackleg is more or
less restricted to definite localities
There are certain pastures upon
which the disease appears regularly
in the summer and fall. 1t occurs in
this country from the Atlantic to
the Pacific, and from Mexico to
Canada, but II is more prevalent in
the Western and Southwestern states,
especially in the high ranges.
The cause OF the disease is ba-
ciIlus resembling in some minor res
poets the anthrax bacillus, and dif-
iering little from it in size. 1t also
has the power Of forming within it.
self spore which resists destruc-
tive agents for considerable time,
and still produces disease when in
oculated after several years of dry
ing Thus, It turks in old pastures
and has been found in the mud
swamps.
The spores develop only where air
is excluded, and usually are com
municated through small wounds
penetrating the skin and by injection
OF infected feed Such wounds may
be caused by barbed wire, stubble.
thorns, briars, or even pointed parts
of feed.
How to DistinEu Eui,h Blaekleg
The symtoms may be either gem
eral or local, though more frequently
local They begin from one to three
days after the infection with a loss
OF appetite and rumination, with dull
ness, debility, and high fever, the
temperature sometimes rising to l07
degrees +. To these may be added
lameness or stiffness OF one or more
limbs, due TO a tumor or swelling fire.
quently accompanying the disease.
Death follows quickly, preceded BY
increasing weakness. difficult breath
ing, and occasional attacks of violent
convulsions.
The most important characteristic
of this disease is a tumor or swell
ing under the skin a few hours after
the setting in of the constitutional
symptoms. This tumor may be on
the thighs, neck, shoulder, breast, or
flanks, but never below the knee or
hook joints. The tumor, at first
small and painful, spreads very rap
idly in depth and extent. When il is
stroked or handled a peculiar crack
ling sound is heard under the skin.
This is due 10 a collection Of gas
formed by the bacilli, as they multi
r.1r The etris Iar1nzrs Irr~ aSA rnn1
10 the touch. and if the swelling is
cut open a frothy. dark red, rather
disagreeable smelling fluid is dis
charged The animal nanifests little
or no pain during the operation. A
post-mortem examination OF the ami
NAL which has died Of blackleg will
reveal the tissues under the skin in
filtrated with blood and yellowish,
jellylike material and gas bubbles
The muscular tissue beneath the
swelling may be brownish or black,
shading into dark red. 1t is soft, easily
torn and broken up. The muscle tis-
sue is distended with numerous small
or gas-filled csvaties.
A number Of drugs have been re-
commended by various writers as a Il
Z tH4Eug lDl Didlhic6 Uul All ndNC DCCii I
found vaiueless Nearly all animals 1
which are attacked die despite every |
treatment. Attempted curing by
opening and treating the tumors dir
ect is to be condemned because il |
tends to spread the germs upon the
ground, and leads to further contagi- |
on.
Vaccination 10 Best Preventive
The only remedy. as has been said,
is prevention, and the best preven-
tive method is vaccination, which |
has been thoroughly tSed and proved
to be efficscious. The powder vac
cine is obtained from animals which
have died from blackles by cutting
the affected muscles into strips and
drying them in the air. When they
are perfectly dry they are pulverized
and MIXED wIff wsrrr 10 form a