The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1922-05-05
SOME POINTS ABOUT THE SPREAD
OF DISEASES AMONG CATTLE
BY IRECTOR I. O. WALTON

The following extracts from let
ters by DR.. J. r. Mohler, Chief or
the Bureau Of Animal Industry Is
being sent you for your informa-
ton: =,
"An article appeared in the March
10 issue Of the San Antonio EN-
press, stating that many cattle are
being imported into Mexico from
South America, and that they are
being sold at such low prices that
our Texas cattlemen are practically
excluded from the Mexican mar
kets because they are unable to COM
pete with the importers Of South
American stock.
Gas foot-and-mouth disease exists
extensively in South America, In
lection is apt TO be carried into
Mexico. Since there is a possibility
of the disease suddenly reaching the
United States through infected cat
tie from South America, OF Mexi-
can cattle that have become infect
ed from them, Bureau representa-
tives located in the Southwest are
cautioned 10 keep in close touch
with the condition and movement
of cattle along the Mexican border
in order TO guard as much as pos
sible an invasion of foot-and-mouth
disease from that source. Please
instruct the members of your force
accordingly. Respectfully (Signted)
]. r. Mohler, Chief Of Bureau.
Dear Sir: Referring to previous
letters from the Bureau relative TO
foot-and-mouth disease, according to
the reports received by the Bureau
from January / to March 8, this dis
ease appeared in 966 herds in Great
Britain. requiring the slaughter of
43.735 animals. The United States
has been very fortunate thus far
in having escaped an invasion Of
the plague, as it is exposed by COM
mercial contact with many coun-
tries in which the disease has been
unusually prevalent since the war.
The Bureau of Animal Industry is
using every reasonable precautlon
TO prevent an invasion of the dis
ease. and II will continue to do so,
but there are some sources of dan
ger which are very difficult to guard
against. For instance, II seems
possible for the virus Of the disease
TO be carried long distances in the
clothing or other belongings of I'M
migrant farm laborers, or IN hay
and straw used as packing for crock
cry and other goods.
at is believed that the State reg
ulatory authorities should give pub
licity TO the danger Of an invasion
of the rlague 10 which we are now
exposed. in order that all who are
interested directly or indirectly IN
our livestock industry will be on
the alert for the first appearance
of the disease should we be so un-
fortunate as 10 have another out
break. II is suggested that state
and municipal authorities prevent
il possible, hay and straw used for
packing imported goods from reach
ing susceptible animals, and that
where possible the animals attended
by immigrant farm laborers arriving
recently in community be OBJ
served from time 20 time TO ascer'
tain whether or not they develop the
disease. Yours very truly, tsiRned
]. r. Motley, Chief Of Bureau.
Note-Up to March IS, the dis.
ease has appeared in l,045 herds.
Let me suggest that you pass
this information on TO any inter
ested parties in your county anc
that Il might be worth while toi
YOU to ask your local papers to pub
ish DR.. Mothers communications
II j. evident that we cannot be zoe
strenuous in our efforts TO prevent
this disease from getting a foot
hold in our State.
Yours truly,
T. 0. WALTON,
Director.