The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1924-07-03
CATTLE OWNERS WARNED
AGAINST BLACKLEG SPREAD


gests the advisability of publishin
the following pertinent facts wit
reference to the disease as set fort
in Bulletin No. 1855, issued by tn
federal department of agriculture:
Investigations made and report
received by the bureau of animal in
dustry have shown that blackleg oc
ours in nearly all parts Of the Unite'
States with the exception of tn
southern Atlantic and eastern Gul
states. The greatest losses have beel
suffered in the great cattle-raisinl
and cattle feeding regions of thu
west, bounded on the north and cas-
by the Missouri and Mississippi .riv
ers and on the west by the Rocky
mountains, and including Texas
New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Ne
braska, G dorado, North Dakota anG
South Dakota. In the far west the
disease prevails to considerable ex.
tent; also in Montana, Idaho, Wash
ington, Oregon, California, Utah and
Arizona.
The germs gain entrance into the
body of the animal through abra-
sions of the skin, and perhaps in
rare cases through the mucous men,
brane of the mouth, tongue or throat
AS it is necessary that air be exclud-
ed in order that the spores may de-
velop, the introduction of the dis
ease Is favored by minute punctures
carrying the organisms through the
skin and into the underlying tissues,
while cuts or open wounds are not
favorable to its development even
though the infection is present in
abundance. Slight puncture wounds
OF the skin, such as those received
from barbed wire fences or from
stubble, thorns, spines, briers, gross
burs, or shap or pointed parts of feed
seem to be the most likely method of
infection, since they correspond most
closely to the only manner in which
the disease may be produced arti-
ficially, namely, by injection of the
virus under the skin. Several OBJ
servers have found the organisms in
the mud of swamps. BY placing Q
little of the mud under the skin the
disease has been produced.
The symptoms of blackleg are so
characteristic that the disease is very
easily recognized. The first symp-
toms may be either of a general or
of a local nature, though more fire.
quently the latter. The general
symptoms are high fever, loss of ap-
70 ~ af ,sv,o 30,
followed by great depression. Breath
ing becomes more rapid. The animal
moves around with difficulty, fire.
quently lies down and when water
is near at hand, drinks at short in
tervals and but little at a time. |
The visible mucous membranes are
at first dark red and congested, but
they change in the course of twelve |
hours to dirty leaden or purplish |
color.
The most important characteristic
Of the disease is the development OF
a tumor or swelling under the skin.
The swelling may appear on any part
Of the body and legs except below
the knee or hook joint and on the
tail. 1t is frequently seen on the
high or shoulder, and, owing to the
extensive discoloration of the swol-
en- parts, as observed after the ami
nal has been skinned, the disease
has been popularity named "black-
eg" or ''black quarter" Tumors
may also appear on the neck, the
chest, the flank or the rump. At
1rst they are small and very pain
'ul They increase rapidly in size
md may in few hours cover a
arge portion of the body. One or
more of, these tumors may form 81
nultaneously and when in close prox-
nifty to one another may unite. The
lymph glands become
swollen.
When slight pressure is made on
tumor, as in stroking or handling
t, a peculiar cracking sound under
he skin is heard. This is due to
objection of gas formed by the or
anisms as they multiply. At this
tage the tumor is cool to the touch
nd painless in the center and the {
kin over it is dry and parchment {
Ike. If the swelling is cut into, a
rothy, dark-red fluid is discharged. /
The swellings usually appear be- {
ore the general symptoms, and they ,
lay even reach such an extent as {
, cause complete paralysis of the az
scted parts while the animal still ]
,oks bright and has good appetite.
his condition is, however, Of short
uration. AS the swelling increases
size the general symptoms become
ore intense. The temperature may q
Zach 107 degrees F., while the res 7
rations may exceed 140 minute. c
he animal is unable to rise; the p
,tremities become cold, and some
me before death the temperature 0
lis and may become subnormal. Il
here is trembling Of the muscles, u u
hich, as death approaches, may de- O.
,lop into violent conyulsions. =
With very few exceptions the dis "
Sc terminates fatally, death gen. Il
ally occurring in from ~ to SO ii
,urs after the first appearance OF a.