The Record-courier. [volume] (Gardnerville, Nev.) 1904-current, 1924-06-13
STOCK DISEASE
BEING CHECKED
in CALIFORNIA
Department of Agriculture
Declares Condition Now
Being Cleared Up

Using liberal quantities of disin-
fectants thoroughly applied to the
barns and equipment on farms in
fected with foot and mouth disease
in California, the cleaning and dis
injecting crews are making rapid
progress declares U. S. department
of agricultural bulletin. In some
cases infected litter and equipment
difficult to disinfect are burned. At
the close of May 80 all except six of
more than 400 premises where the
disease had existed had been disin-
fected. Special precautions are al
so being taken in disinfecting stock
ears that have been in the livestock
market centers of California. The
cars are disinfected at practically
every movement even though only
short distances are involved and
whenever they carry new shipments.
Federal and state venterinary fore
es appear to have checked the spread
Of foot and mouth disease, according
to a statement issued by the depart
ment May 81. All diseased herds
were under ground at the close of
May 81 and no infection appearing
May 2S or 20. On May 80 three in
fected herds were located, one of
which was slaughtered and buried
the same day. Flare-ups of the di-
sease are expected, and the absence
of new contagion for q few days,
though highly encouraging as an
Indication of complete suppression,
should not give livestock owners the
erroneous belief that the disease is
entirely eradicated. Officials can not
be certain of complete eradication
for several months.
Continued improvement in the situ-
alton has made possible the release
from quarantine of additional terri
tory which formerly had been placed
under close supervision until the ex-
tent of infection contained could be
determined. With the exception of
four counties of the original sixteen
which were quarantined, there are in
the others only small areas still SUBJ
ject to quarantine measures. These
areas embrace infected premises and
adequate buffer" territory around
each one to provide the necessary
safety. Inspectors are constantly
patrolling the areas where the con-
tagon is suspected to be present
either actively or in dormant state.
Close cooperation from livestock
owners, state and county officials,
and the press continue to aid in sup
pressing the disease promptly. A
study of the hundred of clippings re-
ceived daily by the department
through its employees and other
sources reveals, however, a rather
large number of misleading and in
accurate statements regarding foot
and mouth disease and the methods
used in suppressing it. Numerous
cures, for instance, have been ad-
vanced, some of them even being
represented to bear the endorsement
of tn department. There is no de-
pendabl cure nor even method of
treatment which will aid in eradicat-
ing the disease, department veterin-
arians assert. The public is warn
ed against placing any confidence in
alleged cures for foot and mouth di-
sease.
Most of the misleading and erron-
eous statements are so groundless or
of such sensational character as to
be discredited by intelligent readers.
The department has not considered
it advisable to divert it's energies in
the present emergency to endeavor to
correct statements such as those de-
scribed. Persons desiring accurate
information concerning foot and
mouth disease are asked to apply for
a bulletin on the subject which the
a bulletin will be sent free in re-
quest. With few exceptions the
press has been a staunch ally in
presenting the situation in its true
light as we'll as devoting space lib
orally to authorized reports on the
progress of the work.