REPORT ON SOUTHERN CATTLE FEVER. 
23 
Bureau of Animal Industry Report on Texas Fever. Bladder 
filled with very dark urine; do not know that urine was dark 
before death, but have every reason to suppose it was, as did 
not have opportunity to observe except in early stage.” 
At the time of the experiment, Prof. Niles sent me a spec¬ 
imen of the blood of the affected cow, which is now under 
the microscope for your inspection. It is a remarkably fine 
demonstration of Smith’s micro-parasite. 
Thus it will be seen that Prof. Niles’ experiment confirms 
in every respect the work done by the Bureau. The work 
of the Bureau was followed in making this experiment, and, of 
course, nothing original is claimed for it. But it should re¬ 
move from our minds any doubt as to the part played by the 
tick in at least being a carrier of the cause of the disease; and 
it may be the only carrier to places outside of the perma¬ 
nently infected sections, but I am still of opinion that there are 
other sources of infection within the permanently infected 
regions. 
In the paper I read before this Association one year ago, I 
called your attention to the fact that all Southern ticks were 
not dangerous. There are different varieties of ticks that in¬ 
fest animals on pasture in the South, but the species called by 
Dr. Curtice the boophilus bovis is the only one which is known 
to inoculate cattle with the micro-parasite of Texas fever. All 
other varieties are at present considered harmless. I have 
preserved different species for your inspection. 
I must also remind you that on certain farms the boophilus 
bovis ticks do not appear to be capable of conveying the dis¬ 
ease to susceptible cattle. On two farms in particular, a short 
distance below this city, on which are kept between 400 and 
500 cattle, and on which susceptible cattle from the North 
and elsewhere are constantly being added at all seasons of the 
year without any regard to their susceptibility, the boophilus 
bovis species is numerous, but so far as known there never has 
been a case of the disease since these places were under their 
present ownership. 
The owner attaches no importance whatever to the ticks. 
He does not believe they have anything to do with the disease. 
