Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1922-08-10
BLAGKLEG FATAL
TO YOUNG CATTLE
FAT, THRIFTY CALVES AND YEAR
LiNGs FIRST or HERD TO
BE ATTACKED
NO MORE FREE VACCINE
Government Discontinues Distribution
of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Recon-
mended AS Most Effective
Form of Serum

A sudden lameness, a rapid swelling
about the shoulder or hip n II dead
calf-this is the usual progress OF
b~lackleg. one of the most deadly dis
eases known to the cattle man. So.
v%irulent is the character of the disease
that the most Of Its victims are found
already dead in the pasture.
So far as known there Is no cure
for blackleg, but 1t can be almost en-
tirely prevented by proper yaccina-
ton. Vaccine may be purchased from
almost any drug store at a small price,
according to DIR. Howard WEIGH, vet
erinarian at Montana State college,
who has been notified that the gov
eminent has discontinued the dlstribu-
ton of free vaccine. supplies of this
free vaccine in the state are exhaust
ed, said DR.. WEIGH, land 1t will be
necessary for -stockmen TO purchase
their own vaccine in the future"
Blackleg aggressin. which is a liquid
form of vaccine, is recommended az
the most effective form to use. Vac
cine is also prepared in pin form. but
this Is not considered so effective as
a preventative.
Vaccination can be done by the
stockman himself with the aid of a
good syringe which can be purchased
from a drug store. The vaccine should
be injected beneath the skin on the
side Of the neck or behind the shout
der. A good chute for holding the ami
NAL In place during the operation is
highly recommended from the stand
point of convenience and best results.
The best work cannot be done where
The vaccinator and his assistants must
engage each animal In a wrestling
match In III open corral in the course
Of the operation. BY the aid Of n chute
one man can v%accinate a large number
in a day with ease and without con-
fusion n danger Of vaccinating some
animals more han orfce and permit
ting others to escape after Il cours of
strenuous exercise about the corral.
BiHckieg most commonly affects
cattle between the ages of six TO 10
months, but in very ~virulent outbreaks
in Il herd. calves a few weeks old ana
cattle two years old may be affected.
Most cattlemen vaccinate in the fall
when weaving calves. but If blackleg
is suspected in a bunch Of cattle all
the cattle from one month To two years
old should he vaccinated at once re-
CARELESS of the weather. In the regu-
fHr Hrnuuf %vaccinutiun most stUckmen
yaccinate the calves which are being
weaned and at the same time vaccinate
yearlings so that each animal is vac
twice, once as a calf and once
as a long yearling.
Blackleg Is most common In the
spring and fall and affects fat. grow
ing, thrifty calves and y%earIings. Thin.
scrubhy, stunted calves seldom die
from %blackleg. A shoulder or a hip il
affected, but the Infection may
strike other parts of the body first.
The disease is a bacterial disease and
communicated from animal TO ami
nal from soil that has peer infected
~ a victim of the disease. Bacteria
the infected soil enters the body
through a scratch or abrasion In the
'kin.
The onset of the disease is very sud-
len, the calf being first noticed as
or lying apart from the other
,attle, breathing hard, with a high
If forced to move 1t is usually
cry lame. AS the disease progresses
infected part becomes swollen. On
,assIng the hand over this area 1t will
attic or crackle as though the skin
we're dry or made of paper, and pres
ure on the spot will reveal bubbles OF
beneath the surface.
II Is usually only a few hours from
beginning of the disease until the
cath of the animal. The Infected area
q a dead animal viii be found to be
lackened and fun OF dark foamy
lood. The presence of a large mass
f blackened. bruised looking. dis
olored muscle In a calf dead after a
hort sickness is sufficient proof of
Immediately upon the discovery If
in the herd remove all The
attle to higher pasture at once if 1t
possible and vaccinate the herd inn
IedIately. Then burn the carcass of
he dead animal where 1t lies, If pos
BILE. so MS TO destroy all germs and
the ground.
BY placing the carcass on a rske
heel, an old harrow, or on any iron
so that 1t may be lifted off the
round so that a draft of air can cir
underneath, burning will be
facilitated. Put the calf ON the
nproyised grating with plenty of wood
brush underneath and with a knife
ash the carcass thoroughly. Then
with two or three gallons OF
and very little Will need TO
done later to destroy IL completely.