Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 September 1917 — BLACKLEG AMONG THE CATTLE [ARTICLE]

BLACKLEG AMONG THE CATTLE

Diseases Result Fatally to Cattle in Two Counties. A report from Porter county says that blackleg has broken out among the cattle of that county and that several animals have died of the disease. The malady is an infectious disease and is said to be very fatal, and that there is no sure remedy. The first attack is in the nature of a paralytic stroke, forcing the animal to lie down, death resulting in a few hours. One may milk a cow in the morning, take her to the pasture and at noon find her dead. The reports of the disease may be greatly exaggerated, but. it will do no harm for cattle owners to be on guard and if new animals are introduced to their herds keep them in quarantine until assured of their perfect health. Several deaths have also been reported among the cattle on the Francis M. Makeever farm near Mt. Ayr in Newton county. However, it is thought these latter died from eating poisonous berries, and there is said to be no trace of any infectious disease.