25G ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



knowledge concerning tlie native animal diseases, two representatives 

 of this Bureau, Dr. AVilliani Thompson and Mr. James E. Downing, 

 were sent to make an investigation of live-stock conditions and dis- 

 eases in that country. The investigation extended from March 29 

 to July 7, 1910, and covered all cattle-raising portions of Honduras. 

 Representative ranches in each cattle district were visited, the cattle 

 carefully inspected, and inquiries made concerning any disease which 

 might exist in such locality. 



Tiie cattle feed principally on natural pastures, which during the 

 summer or dry season furnish a scanty subsistence. Where cultiva- 

 tion is practiced on the coast land and in the interior small valleys, 

 " guinea " and " para " grass provide a plentiful forage throughout 

 the year. Owing to the mountainous nature of the country, small 

 streams of mountain or spring water abound practically everywhere. 



The cattle of Honduras are small, slow to reach maturity, and thin- 

 fleshed, being degenerated descendants of the cattle introduced by 

 the early Spanish settlers. In general, no effort is made toward the 

 improvement of cattle or live stock, and male animals are allowed to 

 roam at will, even those cattle intended for beef not being castrated 

 until three or four years of age. Steers four or five years old, grass 

 fed, average about 1,000 pounds live weight, and dress 40 to 50 per 

 cent. The estimated annual net increase among cattle is onlj'' 12 

 per cent, severe losses being attributed to depredations of the leopard, 

 puma, wild cat, and other animals, and to the cattle tick. 



As a result of the investigation it was determined that the cattle 

 tick {Margai'opus annulatus) exists throughout Honduras, and that 

 the losses sustained from the ravages of this tick are serious, the ticks 

 constituting the one great cattle plague of the country. The fact 

 that for a number of years there was a continued and profitable busi- 

 ness in the shipping of Honduranean cattle to Cuba, where the cattle- 

 fever tick is likewise prevalent, affords confirmatory evidence not 

 only that the tick of Honduras is the cattle-fever tick but that the 

 cattle of that country harbor in their blood the specific organism of 

 southern or splenetic fever. Further confirmation is afforded by a 

 shipment of nonimmune bulls from Chicago, 111., to Truxillo, Hon- 

 duras, all but one of which died from this fever shortly after their 

 arrival. 



Blackleg was found to be especially prevalent in the districts of 

 El Paraiso and Olancho. Anthrax, or "morina," apparently exists 

 in various portions of the country, being most prevalent during the 

 months of July and August. Mycotic stomatitis occurs principally 

 toward the end of the rainy season, when vegetation is at its rankest 

 growth. Foot-and-mouth disease and tuberculosis are unknown 

 among cattle in Honduras. Actinomycosis is prevalent in the dis- 

 tricts of Vallee and Choluteca. Glanders, farcy, and mycotic lym- 

 phangitis were not found among horses and mules. 



Gangrenous dermatitis affects the feet of these animals, frequently 

 causing the hoofs to drop off. The natives attribute this condition 

 to the bite of the spider. A few cases of mange were seen in horses 

 and mules. Special investigations were conducted to determine the 

 presence of trypanosomiasis, with negative results. Swine, which 

 are of the long-headed, razor-backed type, act as scavengers, and 

 frequently through their meat convey the Cysticercus cellulosce para- 

 site to man, producing the tapeworm Tcenia solmm. 



