Report of State Veterinarian. 59 



fall in line. We sought to reach those who were averse to tick 

 eradication by appealing to the statute which forbids an owner to 

 allow "cattle infected with Texas fever to run at large." This 

 statute authorizes the sheriff, under a warrant from the justice of 

 the peace, to round up such diseased cattle, to hold them in quar- 

 antine at the expense of the owner, and, if necessary, to sell them 

 to pay all fees and costs. Fortunately, it was necessary to invoke 

 the law in the severest manner in only a few cases. In two cases in 

 McDonald county the owners, after due notice in writing, allowed 

 t:ckey cattle to run at large. A severe loss of cattle by death from 

 Texas fever was generally credited to one of these herds. On pre- 

 sentation of the evidence in these cases, by Dr. H. C. Tuck, cattle 

 inspector, the prosecuting attorney of McDonald county held that 

 the law would not apply unless the cattle that spread the disease 

 were themselves actually showing symptoms of the disease. This 

 occurred towards the last of the tick season. The moral effect of 

 this case will greatly hinder tick eradication work during the com- 

 ing year. Unless the law is remedied so as to cover the cattle 

 that carry the Texas fever ticks, whether or not they actually show 

 the symptoms of the disease, we cannot hope to secure the best re- 

 sults in tick eradication work. 



In one case in Newton county, an owner neglected to get his 

 cattle up to be sprayed and allowed them to run at large, while 

 they were constantly carrying and spreading Texas fever ticks. 

 The necessary papers and notices were served on him and prepara- 

 tions made to have the county authorities round up the cattle and 

 disinfect them. In this case, the sheriff ignored the justice of the 

 peace order to round up the cattle and the prosecuting attorney 

 failed to appear, or send an assistant, to attend to the prosecution 

 of the owner. The case ended up by the owner giving bond to get 

 his cattle up and keep them free from ticks. The moral effect of 

 this case was not wholly lost. 



To represent the State in tick eradication work, Mr. J. E. 

 Taylor was appointed to act as inspector in Oregon county. Dr. 

 L, D. Brown, regular deputy, was assigned to Newton county, and 

 Dr. H. C. Tuck, regular deputy, to McDonald county. Owing to 

 the lack of funds, the extent of the infestation, and the lack of 

 co-operation in Ripley county, no eradication work was undertaken 

 in that county this year. In Oregon county it was possible for the 

 spray wagon to cover the infested territory with something ap- 

 proaching regularity, and the work was begun there early enough 

 to promise good results. Practically all of the cattle in the in- 



