Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 270, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 November 1914 — ORGANIZE TO DEFEAT F. AND M. DISEASE [ARTICLE]

ORGANIZE TO DEFEAT F. AND M. DISEASE

Representative Gathering of Stockmen at Court House Friday Evening Adopts Measure. . fry*-—, o •

About fine hundred people, half or more of whom are engaged in farming or stock raising puifuMs, gathered at the court house Friday eveaipg ! to hear a discussion by state and federal officers about the hoof and mouth disease and took steps to co-operate in the plan to stamp out the disease. Dr. H. J. Kannal introduced Dr. Bolser, of the s(tate veterinary board. He started his talk by saying that the Logan cattle had all been killed and buried beneath quick lime. He then said there was nothing so highly infectous as the foot and mouth malady, that it can be carried in the clothing, on the Shoes, by wagons, autos, motorcycles, •by birds, dogs, etc. To conquer it necessitates the strictest quarantine and the state has adopted the plan of quarantining every county where the disease exists. It works somewhat of a hardship but will not last long il all will help 'to eradicate the disease He told of the methods employed in Laporte and St. Joseph Counties, where there was some opposition, which doubtless caused some / delay in conquering the disease. He Said that if all will urge the strict observation of the* quarantine; rules it will be only a short time until permts can be procured and sobn thereafter normal business can be resumed. The gravest danger comes from the stock .shipped from the Chicago yards. He suggested the naming of a county head and the appointment of . deputy sheriffs in each torwnship to see that the conditions of the quarantine are not violated. *

He read the terms ©f the quarantine, Which are as published heretofore and as posted over the county. „ * Cattle, sheep and hogs can not be driven along the highways nor across them. Poultry, unless dressed on the “arm, can n t be marketed. Cream can be marketed except from infected farms. Hay, fodder, straw, etc., can not be hauled along or across highways. In case of a violation o,f the quarantine conditions the owner of stock Wopld be denied appraicement or reimbursement in ease the infection afterward broke out. He said that England had been 100 years in stamping out the disease and Was not successful until rigid measures were* adopted and all cattle in infected herd - slaughtered.

As the state had no money with which to (fight the disease it Was up to the counties to take care of themselves. Dr. Bolser then answered a number of questions. He said that the first symptom of the disease Was slobbering by the infected animal. Small blisters came in the mouth and the animals became lame. It developes from two to thirty days alter exposure. He urged that'people visiting be suspended between families and that the telephones be used instead. He adviesd that all dogs be fastened up or killed and laid stress upon the importance of thorough disinfection of farm Jots and barbs at leatsit once every year. This is a precaution against all infeCtoUs diseases, especially hog cholera. He urged the free use of lime as a disinfectant. Dr. Atkinson, a federal inspector who confirmed the diagnosis of the Logan cattle, also made a talk. He said:

‘<Don’t visit during this quarantine. By all means don't go on a farm where the disease exists. If you find an animal «ick, put up a notice of warning. Disinfect the premises whether you ever had disease on the farm or not. Do this at least once each year.” said that the appraisements made were very fair. Where the stock had been shipped from Chicago the prices paid there were allowed. He said that hog cholera cost the United States $66,000,000 eadh year, While the hoof and mouth disease would cost- vastly more if not conquered. He thought that it would not cost more than $10,000,000 to Stamp it out. He said the Down cattle were appraised at about $29,000. The stock killed in Indiana so far was Valued at about $400,000. He pleaded with the men present to get into line and by strict observation conquer the disease.

Dr. H. J. Kannal Was appointed tbe head of the county organisation to enforce the quarantine. County Commissioner D. 8. Makeev Wr Was present and said that he Would call Commissioners Herehman and Welch and they would

take some action about the em ployment of township deputy sheriffs to enforce the quarantine. The county council met Saturday and appropriation was asked.