INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 513 



winter in better condition because of the absence of the ticks; they 

 can be marketed without quarantine restrictions, and higher prices 

 are being obtained ; dairy cows give a larger yield of milk ; and values 

 of farm lands are enhanced. 



The diiference between the prices realized for cattle from the tick- 

 infested region and the prices of cattle of similar grades from above 

 the quarantine line ranges from $2.25 to $5 a head at the principal 

 northern live-stock markets, without taking into account the im- 

 provement in quality and weight of cattle because of the eradication 

 of the ticks. As more than 1,000,000 cattle from the quarantined 

 area are annually sold in these markets, it can easily be seen that the 

 extermination of the ticks means an annual increase of at least 

 $3,000,000 in the prices obtained for southern cattle sold in northern 

 markets. In addition to this, the increase in prices. of cattle sold 

 locnlly in the South would represent a large sum. This local increase 

 has already been found to amount to from $8 to $15 a head in the 

 territory recently freed from ticks. An agricultural official of one 

 of the Southern States reports that calves in the tick-free area bring 

 just double the prices that can be obtained for similar calves in the 

 tick-infested region. 



Heretofore it has been impracticable to improve the quality of 

 southern cattle by introducing fine breeding animals from other sec- 

 tions, because such animals were liable to contract Texas fever and 

 die unless protected by inoculation. Furthermore, it is impossible 

 for animals to attain good growth and to thrive when they are 

 heavily infested with ticks. With the eradication of the ticks, how- 

 ever, the southern farmers are enabled to introduce good breeding 

 animals and to improve the gi^ade of their stock. 



There is no longer any doubt that it is entirely practicable to 

 exterminate the ticks throughout the entire region, and the accom- 

 plishment of this result will be of tremendous economic advantage 

 not only to the South but to the whole country. The rate of progress 

 depends mainly on two factors — the amounts appropriated by the 

 Federal and State Governments, and the cooperation of the people. 



CHRONIC BACTERIAL DYSENTERY. 



Chronic bacterial dysentry is a chronic infectious disease of bovines 

 caused by an acid-fast bacillus simulating the tubercle bacillus and 

 characterized by marked diarrhea, anemia, and emaciation, terminat- 

 ing in death. 



Recently this disease has been observed in the United States for 

 the first time by Pearson in Pennsylvania cattle, and later by Mohler 

 in Virginia cattle, and in an imported heifer from the island of 

 Jersey at the Athenia quarantine station of the Bureau of Animal 

 Industry. 



16923°— 12 33 



