ii6 THE farmer's veterinarian 



has been moved, should be thoroughly disinfected 

 that no germs may survive. The disease is char- 

 acterized in the appearance of large swellings on 

 various parts of the body, usually on one of the 

 upper portions of the legs, and never below the 

 hock or knee joints. Swellings vary in size, and 

 are always formed by the presence of gas that has 

 collected in the tissue just beneath the skin. This 

 ^•as is a product of the germ. You will notice a 

 peculiar crackling sound when you pass your hand 

 over these swellings. When punctured with a knife 

 these swellings emit a bloody fluid possessing a dis- 

 agreeable and sickening odor. 



Associated with the disease are loss of appetite, 

 high fever and lameness. Death follows just a 

 few days from the time of attack. So far no medic- 

 inal treatment for cure has been discovered. Stock 

 should not be admitted to infected regions. The 

 only safe practice in regions where blackleg is 

 prevalent is in the use of protective inoculation 

 or vaccination. Such vaccination renders the 

 animals immune, and even if attacked, there is 

 almost no appearance of the disease at all. 



Using Blackleg Vaccine. — The blackleg vaccine 

 now so' well known is made from diseased flesh 

 taken from a calf that has died from blackleg. This 

 flesh, after being dried and powdered, is then prop- 

 erly prepared and injected into the animal. There 

 are two kinds — a weak and a strong vaccine and 

 single and double vaccine. The single vaccine re- 

 quires but one inoculation. The latter is believed 

 to be superior and gives better protection. The 

 vaccine is usually available from the state experi- 

 ment stations, or can be obtained through your 

 veterinarian. About the only skill required in 



