118 Black Leg 



I know that if one animal of a herd gets black-leg, other of black- 

 lag age are more tlian like^ly to take the disease in a few days, whether 

 they have lost any teeth or not. I am of the opinion it will be an estab- 

 lished fact some day that a well animal can develop the disease by being 

 in contart with a sick animal. It may be by introduction of the body 

 wastes of sick animals into the system or due to the breath. In my opin- 

 ion this disease is as frequent on well drained soils as any other kind of 

 soil. 



SYMPTOMS 



This disease seldcm attacks calves under four months old or over 

 two years old. The healthier and thriftier calves seem to be more sus- 

 ceptible to the disease than others. Loss of appetite, stupidness and fe- 

 ver are the first symptoms and usually pass unnoticed. The first noti- 

 ceable symptoms is lameness, which may at first be mistaken for a sprain. 

 In a few hours the lameness becomes noticeably wq(rse and the animal 

 lays down, bloats, breathing becomes difficult, followed by rigidity of 

 the muscles, and saliva comes from the mouth. The muscles at first are 

 tender and sensitive to pressure, but later on in the disease, an incision 

 may be made into the skin with little pain to the beast. 



Some writetrs speak of swollen patches above the knees and on the 

 muscles of the legs, neck and shoiulders. I have seen such swellings, 

 but I would say they are rare. 



When the skin is grasped in the hand, a crackling noise can be heard 

 much like that when tissue paper is crushed in the hand. This is due to 

 igas and dryness undw the skin. After the animal dies many gas bub- 

 bles can be found under the skin, especially on the legs and neck. Death 

 occurs in from 15 hours to 3 days after the first symptoms appear. Re- 

 covery is very rare in black leg. Hemorrhagic septicemia and black leg 

 may be confused. Hemorrhagic septicemia effects cattle and calves and 

 has no crackling sound as is found in black leg. 



TREATMENT 



Treatment of the effected animals is useless, however the well ones 

 should be vaccinated, as a high per cent of them can be saved. On 

 farms where black leg occi$rs, it is necessary to vaccinate at least o.nce a 

 year and preferably twice a year, since calves over six months are likely 

 to take the disease. The U. S. Department of Agriculture will fu(rnish 

 dependable vaccine free of charge. A complete vaccinating outfit can 



