56 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



TEXAS CATTLE-DISEASE. 



From an Address before the Housatonic Agricultural Society. 



BY NOAH CRESST. 



This affection was comparatively unknown to pathologists 

 until within the last ten years ; and though mysterious in 

 many respects, yet it may be defined as a specific fever that 

 is very malignant in this section of the country, and one 

 which is propagated by contagious effluvia. The alvine dis- 

 charges are the probable source of infection. This disease 

 usually occurs but once in an individual, and only in bovine 

 animals. It is attended with congestion of the liver, spleen, 

 kidneys, and portions of the bowels. The urine is somewhat 

 scanty and high colored in proportion to the severity of the 

 attack. In fatal cases, the bladder is usually found distended 

 with dark sanguineous fluid when not previously ruptured 

 from the accumulation of bloody water. 



The native haunts of this malady are the tide-waters of the 

 Gulf. It never occurs spontaneously in a region of frost, 

 and when carried beyond this limit, in summer, soon dies out 

 on the return of cold weather. In the Northern States it is 

 not contagious from one native or acclimated creature to 

 another, and can only be induced by exposure to Southern 

 cattle that have not been wintered in our rigorous clime or 

 beyond the line of snow. Hence there is little or no fear of 

 the disease being communicated to our stock by the native 

 cattle from Ohio, Illinois or Kansas, even while sick and 

 dying in the same inclosure. The contagion comes from 

 another source, and that direct from the plains. This 

 through traffic is the source of all the mischief, and the 

 government should interfere for home protection. The annual 



