The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-10-07
CATTLE SCOIJRGE COSTS MILLIONS,
 CARY DECLARES
State Veterinarian Urges Strict Embargo Against
 Texas Products

AUBURN, Ala, Oct. 6.--The Texas outbreak of foot and mouth disease prob ably will not be eradicated under six months, and even a longer period may be required, according to Dr. c. A. Cary, state veterinarian, who has re- turned from the infected area, where he conducted l survey of conditions. In the meantime. Dr. Cary urges strict embargo against animals and materials that may carry the infection. Conditions in Texas as he found them are summarized by Dr. Cary as fol lows:
 The exact origin of the infection has not been definitely determined.
 The disease appeared about % miles south Of Houston in a large pasture, which was exposed to range conditions. This was discovered about September IA.
 Four Herds Infected
 A positive diagnosis was determined about September ?, almost two weeks after the disease appeared. Up to about October l, four large herds had become infected. and on October 2, these herds were killed and put in trenches and dis infected and covered up. A large num- Der of federal and state inspectors are covering the surrounding territory and are looking for further infection.
 The state and federal authorities are co operating, and doing the best they can to li..lit the infection to this original area.
 This is the first time that foot and mouth disease has ever occurred in the south under southern range conditions. All previous outbreaks in the United States have never been confined to the original locality.
 Of Long Duration
 None of the outbreaks that have oc- cured have ever been stamped out in short time. This is the most rapidly and quickly spreading disease among do- nestle animals. It will attack cattle, sheep, goats, hogs, deer and all runi- mants or eloyefi-footed animals.
 This disease is known to have jumped 100 miles or more from the nearest point of infection, and the mode of transmission has never been discovered. An instance of this kind occurred in California this year. 1t rarely or never occurs in the human family. Pasteuriz- ing or boiling milk will make il, safe for human consumption.
 The strictest quarantine, and killing out all infected animals, are the only, ways that the disease has ever been stamped out. Anything that comes in contact with the infection (man, dogs, cats, birds, straw, feeds, etc., may carry the infection.
 Cause Undetermined
 The exact cause of foot and mouth disease is unknown. It is, however, said to be a filterable virus. It will be an exception if the Texas outbreak is stamped out in Texas un- der six months. And there are some persons who believe that it may never be completely gotten rid of in Texas. All the states surrounding Texas, and some at a distance, have quarantined against the movement of cattle, and any of the things that are liable to transmit the virus or infection from the state of Texas.
 At the present time, no one knows the extent of infection or how it may be extended in the future from this center of infection. Hence, 1t will be neces- sary to maintain the quarantine and embargoes until all infection has been stamped out. That time may be from three to six months after the last case has been destroyed in the state of Texas
 Common In Europe
 Foot and mouth disease is very com mon all oyer the continent of Europe and all over South America.
 The only safe method for Alabama and other states is to stop bringing into Alabama all animals and materials that will carry the infection, until Texas is completely free.
 Every outbreak of this disease in America has cost the different states and the United States government mill lions of dollars. It is said to have cost California and the United States gov ernment several millions of dollars-the outbreak that has just occurred-and is still existing in the mountain region in the eastern part of California. At the present time, it is attacking wild deer in the mountain ranges of Cali fornia.