1 Aprin, 1902.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 291 
Animal Pathology. 
TEXAS FEVER. 
Much as has been written in these pages on the subject of Tick or Texas 
fever, there is always something to be learned from the experience in other 
countries of this disease. Hence the following statement, which the Florida 
Agriculturist takes from a contemporary, will doubtless prove of interest :— 
; Texas Carrne Fever. ‘ 
A recent outbreak of Texas fever in cattle brought into Florida for 
breeding purposes has caused considerable apprehension upon the part of our 
cattle-men, and in response to several requests for information upon the subject 
the following statement has been prepared by Dr. Chas. F. Dawson, the 
Experiment Station Veterinarian. ‘The necessary space restrictions preclude 
all but a bare statement of the facts as now known to veterinary scientists. 
Texas fever is known in the United States under various names, such as 
Southern cattle fever, Spanish fever, red-water disease, bloody murrain, acclima- 
tion fever, town-cow disease, pasture poisoning, splenic fever, cattle distemper. 
It is not contined entirely to the United States, but exists in other countries 
under various names. ‘The disease occurs in its most virulent form during the 
summer months when heat and other devitalising conditions are prevalent. In 
the fall of the year it is milder ‘and exists in the chronic form. In the acute 
form the symptoms are about as follows:—A fever, which may reach to 108 
degrees Fahr., appears in all adult animals which have been herded together, 
several days before they are noticeably sick. During the first two or 
three days the temperature will be a degree or two higher in the evening ; 
then the morning temperature will gradually rise, and the fever remain 
permanent for seven or eight days, when the animal either dies or recovery 
begins. In either case the fall of the temperature to normal, or even below 
normal, is as sudden as was the onset. The respirations are increased from 20 
or more, the normal, to 75, and the pulse from 60 or more to 100 per minute. 
There is a loss of appetite, and emaciation is rapid, even continuing after the 
fever Las ceased. In severe cases, and in most cases that will terminate fatally, 
the urine is wine-coloured or blackish from the presence in it of the colouring 
matter of the blood—a condition known as hemoglobinuria or ‘“ red-water.” 
The bowels are usually constipated during the fever, but when this subsides a 
diarrhcea may set in, the feces being of yellowish colour. During the fever 
there is partial loss of vision, some delirium and staggering gait from weakness, 
which may be so great that the animal is unable to rise, when down. The blood 
is very thin and pale in colour. In some instances it is with considerable 
difficulty that a drop can be obtained from incisions made into the skin for 
purposes of microscopic examination. i 
In the chronic form of the disease all the symptoms described above as 
occurring in the acute attacks are milder in character and are prolonged. The 
temperature rarely goes above 105 degrees Fahr. in the evening, while it is 
about normal in the morning. ‘* Redwater” is not present asa symptom. The: 
blood disease goes on, but it is less rapid in its effects. In fact, the chronic 
form of the disease could hardly be diagnosed during life without the aid of 
the microscope, and not even then in some cases. It is not fatal as a rule, and 
the animal makes a slow recovery, after being ‘‘ out of condition” for a month 
ortwo. Frequently after an acute attack has subsided a relapse may occur, 
but it is generally mild in character. 
Texas fever being a blood disease, we find upon opening a dead animal 
alterations in blood and blood-elaborating glands as being the most noticeable 
features; the liver being enlarged and stagnated with bile, which gives it a 
yellow colour. ‘The spleen is very much larger than is normal, and is filled 
with a dark, tarry substance. If held up by the end for some time its contents 
May gravitate. The heart and kidneys will show upon their surfaces the 
effects of the intense fever in the presence of blood spots. The lungs, stomach, 
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