TEXAS CATTLE-DISEASE. 57 



loss in Western beef-stock is now immense, and it will con- 

 tinue to remain so until the whole matter is under active 

 veterinary inspection. 



The period of incubation in which the disease is awakened 

 into activity has not been accurately determined by experi- 

 mental cases, but according to our observations last year, 

 from ten to forty days may elapse from the time of exposure, 

 before the creature shows signs of being aifected. There is, 

 evidently, a great difference in the susceptibility of our 

 Northern cattle. Some may escape it altogether, while others 

 may fall victims to it in a very short time. The temperature 

 and the time of the year have much to do with its early mani- 

 festations. The infection is the most virulent during the 

 warm, sultry weather, and in a cold, wet season it is very 

 inactive. Hence the appearance of this malady, after a given 

 exposure, is very uncertain. In the early part of summer, 

 most of the exposures are affective, with the disease soon 

 following, and that with very fatal consequences. But later 

 in the season the invasion is less marked, very irregular in 

 occurrence, and the mortality much reduced. But usually, 

 from general exposure where native cattle have been turned 

 into a lot in which Texans have been recently pastured, it 

 will require from four to six weeks to develop the malady. 

 In this respect Secretary Gold and I observed some curious 

 facts last fall, in Connecticut, which need to be explained. 

 Either natives may give this disease, contrary to universal 

 testimony, or the period of incubation must be extended to 

 three months in certain individual cases that occurred under 

 our inspection. The early symptoms are often quite obscure, 

 and the manner in which the disease appears is quite variable, 

 owing to the age and general condition of the animal. In 

 cows you will notice, perhaps, a sudden diminution in the 

 quantity of milk as the first indication of the approaching 

 trouble. The ears droop, the gait is sluggish and tottering, 

 and more or less trembling will be seen about the flanks. 

 There is a disinclination to move, and the creature stands for 

 some time with depressed head in one position. The back is 

 arched, the abdominal walls are shrunken, and the patient 

 looks poor and hollow. The skin is dry and hot, especially 

 about the head, and is seldom or never moistened by per- 



8* 



