DISEASE AMONG SWINE AND OTHER DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 55 



attacked, so far as known, were all milch cows, and the only ones that recovered were 

 young cows. Although some few others recovered, it is believed they were not suffer- 

 ing from the specific disease, but some disease conseciuent on overfeeding, and in some 

 cases from lung disease. There may be a cause for all the animals attacked being 

 milch cows, as the disease was confined to the city altogether, and few other cattle are 

 kept in the city. In a barn in which was the greatest fatality there was a bull which 

 stood through it all, his companions dying to the number of seventeen. Only two 

 cows were left, one of which did not have the disease. The other, a young cow, recov- 

 ered from a slight attack.. 



The disease was certainly splenic fever, charbon, or anthrax. The symptoms were ex- 

 treme restlessness, loss of appetite, but not complete ; thirstiness ; fa?ces natural at first 

 but frequently diarrhea afterward; the urine jtrofuse, and during the latter part of the 

 disease dark red or bloody-looking. The animal gave evidence of intense internal 

 pain by her arched back, hanging head, and, if at liberty, by her constant moving, or, 

 if tied, by pushing her nose into a corner and ly-eathing laboriously. Although at first 

 the animal had perfect control of her limbs, they became first weak, then staggering, 

 and finally lost their power completely. She would then fall down, and, after a few 

 ineffectual attempts to rise, would lie helplessly moaning until death relieved her suf- 

 fering. 



As to treatment, everything that was tried availed nothing. The fever steadily pro- 

 gressed to the end. Further research would seem to be something most devoutly to 

 be wished for, and we hope that some measure of success may attend every attempt to 

 find a cause and a cure for so fatal a malady. 



All the cases in this section have been in that particular portion of the city where 

 the cattle pasture over a large common, in direct communication with the railroad and 

 cattle-yards, and where a number of Texan cattle were grazing after removal from the 

 cars during the period of the recent railroad strike. Soon after that time the first 

 cases were noticed, but the cool weather early in the fall appeared to check the dis- 

 ease, only, howcA'er, to break out with greater virulence during the hot weather in the 

 latter part of September. 



Mr. S. P. Thacker, Yieuua, Johnson County, IHinois, says : 



Horses and mules have been affected with what is known here as periodic opthal- 

 mia. The first cases that came to my knowledge were in January, 1875. Only two or 

 three cases occurred then. The disease has since become prevalent, so that there are 

 numerous cases now within my knowledge. 



The animal is attacked with inflammation and swelling of the eyes, nearly invaria- 

 bly beginning in the left eye ; then, within from twenty-four to thirty-six hours the 

 right eye is attacked in the same manner. The eye runs a clear, thin, watery fluid, 

 and in some cases matters. While inflammation is in the eye the light seems to be 

 painful to that organ. The inflammation lasts three or four days ; then subsides, 

 leaving the pupil of the eye of a milky color. In the course of four or five days the 

 eye becomes apparently well again. The animal becomes nearly blind during the at- 

 tack, but can see again very well after the attack is over. Some have become blind in 

 one or both eyes after the fourth or fifth attack, which occurs at intervals of from 

 three to seven weeks. The cases of longest standing seem to become more severe and 

 of longer duration ; but the attacks are not so frequent. 



It is thought by some of our veterinary surgeons that the disease is hereditary, but 

 I notice that stock of entirely different pedigrees are attacked by it. Bathing the eyes 

 in warm salt-water appears to be of more advantage than any other remedy yet tried. 

 This allays the inflammation, but does not XH'eveat the recurrence of the disease. 



Mr. W. J. Banks, Elizabethtown, Hardin County, niiuois, says: 



There is no disease affecting farm animals in this county except a disease among 

 cattle mentioned in a former report to your department ; but I am still unable to learn 

 the name or nature of this disease. Cholera is prevailing among swine to some extent, 

 but we are never entirdij rid of this scourge in this county. 



Mr. J. H. Oakwood, Catlin, Yermillion Couutj', Illinois, says : 



Hogs are very unhealthy here and are suffering from a disease called cholera. This 

 disease manifests itself in various forms. Sometimes it seems to be congestion of 

 the lungs, at other times sore throat, at another time rheumatism, and still again au 

 affection of intestinal worms. Sometimes the disease takes the form of chills and 

 fever, and then the hogs will lie in heaps in the warmest weather as they do in the 

 winter season for the purpose of keeping warm. These diseases are all designated as 

 "hog-cholera," and no remedy is at iiresent known. It is generally conceded that to 



