360 
from it, up to the time of writing, in the village of Paxton, and one hundred head 
of cattle within a semicircle of five miles from northwest to southeast. The 
disease can be traced directly to Texas cattle landed at that station from the 
Illinois Central railroad. The same disease prevails in Iroquois county, and 
from the same cause. 
DISEASH AMONG HORSES AND MULES. 
GEORGETOWN, WILLIAMSON CouNnry, TEXAS, 
September 4, 1868. 
Sir: In one of my reports to the department last fall I called attention to a fatal disease 
that had made its appearance among our stock horses, running on the range in this and 
adjoining counties. It was first introduced in this section by the cavalry horses of San 
Antonio and Austin. About 20 per cent. of the one and two year old colts died from this 
disease last fall and winter. 
It is now more malignant than ever, mostly confined to the young colts, and is spreading 
fearfully throughout this portion of the State. Out of 50 young colts on my ranch 20 have 
died, and several more probably will die. Not over one-half that are taken with it recover, 
and those that have it late in the season go into the winter so poor they are apt to die before 
spring. It is very seldom that the oider stock take it; when they do it appears to be lighter 
than with the colts. So far I know of no remedy that appears to be of much benefit. We 
gave plenty of salt and sulphur; some of my neighbors think it makes the disease lighter and 
less fatal, but I cannot discover it. 
The first symptoms are, the animal appears to droop, and in a few days swells between the 
fore legs near the breast, often as large as a man’s head ; this sweiling is very hard. It seldom 
breaks, but sometimes discharges a little yellow, bloody water. After about ten days the swell- 
ing appears to dry up and become honey-combed; or rather, small, hard, white, corny sub- 
stances protrude one-eighth of an inch over the diseased parts. I have counted over fifty of 
these cores (or whatever they may be called) on a space six inches square. Some, when 
apparently nearly well, swell out the second time, which generally proves fatal. They occa- 
sionally swell on other parts of the body or head, but not often. My observation is, that 
the best blooded stock sutters most. 
Ts this a new disease? If an old one, what is the remedy? Can you throw any light on 
the subject? I wish to draw the attention of the scientific to this most fatal disease. 
I will add that most of the young colts became very tickey in the month of June. To 
remove these we used a preparation of tallow and sulphur. One or two applications freed 
them from these pests. Could it be that the head of this insect, by remaining in the flesh, 
poisoned the blood and produced the swelling? I think not, from the fact that we have 
generally used the same remedy for 17 years with no such consequences. 
I fear that, unless some remedy is discovered for this fearful malady, it will sweep over 
the vast prairies of our State, and the losses may equal those of the Old World last year, 
with the rinderpest among their cattle. I will watch this disease closely, and report to you, 
from time to time, its progress. 
R. E. TALBOT. 
Hon. HORACE CAPRON, Commissioner. 
Waterproof, Tensas Parish, Louisiana—The disease called ‘‘charbon” 
has commenced its ravages in our immediate neighborhood. It attacks mules, 
cattle, and horses, in the order stated. There is a prospect now of its 
making a clean sweep of all the mules in the county. It is spreading from 
one place to another rapidly, and as yet no one has succeeded in curing any 
cases. The animal first shows ‘signs of being sick by drooping and lag- 
ging. On ciose examination there wiil be found a lump somewhere about the 
neck or shoulders, or perhaps in the flank. ‘his swelling grows rapidly. The 
animal lias a high fever, and generally eats and drinks to the last. Some die 
within 12 hours after the disease manifests itself, and some live five or six days. 
Generally they die in 36 to 48 hours. The cause of this fatal disease is yet 
wrapped in mystery. 
MARK ANDREWS, M. DPD. 
