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 DEPAETMENT OF AGRICULTURE ^'^ 7 1)^ 
 
 HEALTH OF ANIMALS BRANCH 
 
 SPECIAL KEPOKT 
 
 ON 
 
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 ■! / 
 
 PICTOU CATTLE BISEASE 
 
 
 1906 
 
 OTTAWA. 
 GOVERNMENT PRINTING BUREAU 
 
 1907 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of tiiis book is in 
 tine Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924003262155 
 
SPECIAL REPORT 
 
 ON 
 
 PICTOU CATTLE DISEASE, 1906 
 
 Ottawa, March 31, 1906. 
 
 I have the honour to report^that the results of the investigation into the 
 nature and causes of Pictou Cattle Disease, which was begun at Antigonish in 
 October, 1903, have been sufficiently definite to warrant me in recommending 
 the removal of this malady from the list of those cbming under the operation of 
 the Animal Contagious Diseases Act. For upwards of twenty years it has been 
 the policy of the department to order the slaughter of affected animals and to 
 pay compensation for them, as also to insist on the dismfection of the buildings 
 in which they have been kept. During the whole of this time, and in fact for 
 many years previous, the more intelligent residents of the district in which the 
 disease prevails have been of the opinion that it is not only non-contagious, but 
 that its prevalence is due to or connected in some way with the weed known as 
 Senecio Jacobea or Ragwort, locally known as Stinking Willie. Evidence 
 existed to show that the disease was unknown until the weed in question was 
 accidentally introduced with ballast brought from Scotland to the town of 
 Pictou some fifty years ago. Once established the plant spread gradually 
 through the surrounding country, extending, however, owing to the prevailing 
 winds, the seed being light and easily carried by their agency, to a much further 
 distance eastward than westward of its original starting point. Shortly after- 
 wards the disease made its appearance, and although some years elapsed before 
 any suspicion as to the weed being its cause was aroused, it was at last noted 
 as a peculiar coincidence that only the cattle kept in the weedy area were affected. 
 As time passed it was further observed that the mere presence of the plant in 
 a district was not apparently sufficient to produce the affection, but that it was 
 only after it had obtained a firm foothold in the pastures and meadows that the 
 disease began to make its appearance. 
 
 About the year 1882, an attempt at investigation was made and some 
 experiments were imdertaken with a view to ascertaining whether or not there 
 was any foundation for the popular belief as to the coimection between the weed 
 and the disease, which, by this time, had been recognized as a peculiar and 
 almost specific cirrhosis of the liver. Unfortunately, however, these experi- 
 ments were unsuccessful in throwing any new light on the subject, with the 
 result that Pictou Cattle Disease was declared to be conta^ous, and the policy 
 of slaughter and compensation above referred to brought into force. From 
 time to time in after years, the subject was investigated by Dr. William Osier, 
 Dr. Adami, the late Dr. Wyatt Johnston and other skilled pathologists, but 
 invariably with negative results, so far at least as concerned the establishment 
 of any definite and intelligent theory as to its true nature and causes. 
 
During the whole of this time close observers in the affected district were 
 becoming each year more strongly convinced that Ragwort, and that alone, was 
 responsible. Many of these men, although receiving little encouragement to do 
 so, took steps to eradicate the plant from their farms and to induce their neigh- 
 bours to do likewise, with the result that their animals remained unaffected, 
 while those kept on weedy farms sickened and died. These conditions were 
 especially noticeable when, in addition to keeping the weed down in the psstures, 
 care was taken to remove it from the hay fed during the winter. It was also 
 observed that in years when scarcity of hay necessitated wintering cattle on 
 straw, animals so treated seemed to be immune. In the light of our recent 
 experiments, it seems almost incredible that these and similar facts did not 
 sooner force a full recognition of the true situation, which would have undoubt- 
 edly been the means of inaugurating a campaign of extermination against the 
 weed at a time when such a task would have been much less difficult than now. 
 
 For some years Dr. Gilruth, Chief Veterinarian and Bacteriologist to the 
 Government of New Zealand, devoted considerable attention to a peculiar 
 hepatic cirrhosis known in that colony as Winton Disease, and from which, 
 up to 1901, and these in one locality only, horses had appeared to suffer to a 
 greater extent than either cattle or sheep. Dr. Gilruth initiated some experi- 
 ments and finally reached the conclusion, without doubt well justified, that the 
 trouble was entirely due to the ingestion of Ragwort. His experiments, while 
 convincing, were not, owing to apparently unavoidable circumstances, conclu- 
 sive, although strengthened by corroborative evidence from Cape Colony, where 
 a like disease has been traced by Mr. W. H. Chase, Government Veterinarian, 
 to the agency of another plant of the same species, Senecio Burchelli. 
 
 For the above and other apparent reasons, such as the different climatic, 
 economic and dietetic conditions and the lack of absolute proof of the identity of 
 Pictou Cattle Disease with the Hepatic Cirrhosis of the Antipodes, his decision 
 could not, with propriety, have been accepted by this department as the basis for 
 a complete change of policy even had it been made public before the inaugura- 
 tion of our experimental work at Antigonish in 1903. 
 
 The latter has been very interesting and its results ate convincingly cor- 
 roborative of the views of those who have consistently held to the ragwort 
 theory. 
 
 My last report contained a full account of what had been done during the 
 year preceding October 31, 1904, together with our findings up to that date, 
 but in order to make the case perfectly clear, I think it best to recapitulate the 
 main points before proceeding to deal with the intervening period. 
 
 In October, 1903, 1, with your approval, leased, for experimental purposes 
 a farm of 200 acres at Cloverville, county of Antigonish, Nova Scotia This 
 farm is, of course, situated within the ragwort area, but is further well known 
 as one on which the disease in former years frequently made its appearance, 
 ihirty-four cattle were purchased, four of which had been raised on the pre- 
 mises, the remainder being secured from districts in which there is no ragwort 
 Sixteen head, includmg the four natives, were placed in an old stable on the 
 premises, m which at different times thirty-six cattle had died from hepatic 
 cirrhosis They were fed entirely on food imported from Quebec Four were 
 given a liberal allowance of sound hay with a full grain ration, four a liberal 
 allowance of hay with a smaller gram ration, four a liberal allowance of hay 
 without gram, and four a limited allowance of hay only. 
 
The other eighteen head were placed in an entirely new stable, erected at 
 a considerable distance from the old buildings. Sixteen of these were divided 
 into quartettes and fed in exactly the same way as above mentioned, except 
 that the hay given to them, being secured in the neighbourhood, contained a 
 considerable quantity of ragwort. 
 
 The remiaining two cattle were housed together in a separate compartment 
 of the new stable, one being fed on chopped ragwort and the other on oat straw, 
 a small ration of bran being given to each. 
 
 The progress of the experiments up till October 31, 1904, was described 
 in my report of that date, but in view of the remarkable results obtained, and 
 of all the circumstances in connection with the case, I have thought it best to 
 make the present statement complete in itself, although it is, after all, but a 
 resum^ of the exhaustive report furnished by Dr. Pethick, which is printed 
 herewith. 
 
 Leaving out details to be dealt with by him, I may state thatfali the sixteen 
 cattle kept in the old and supposedly infected stable, and fed on imported hay, 
 which was, of course, free from ragwort, remained perfectly healthy for the 
 entire period of twenty-three months during which the experiments were ift 
 progress, although in the summer of 1905, eight of these cattle were kept in a 
 weed-infested pasture, in which fourteen animals had died of hepatic cirrhosis, 
 in the short space of five months. Several of these animals had also been placed 
 from time to time in close and continued contact with diseased animals, with 
 a view to ascertaining whether or not the disease was transmissible in this way. 
 
 During the summer of 1905, also, ten of these animals were inoculated in 
 various ways, either with blood or abdominal ascitic fluid, taken from an animal 
 affected with Pictou Cattle Disease, to such an extent that Dr. Higgins, our 
 pathologist, reported the cirrhotic lesions of the liver to be more extensive 
 than in any of the others which he had examined In spite of these severe tests, 
 the animals continued to thrive, and when I last saw them in September, 1905, 
 were in excellent condition, those which had been fed grain presenting a remark- 
 ably fine appearance. Thirteen of these cattle were slaughtered between 
 October 10 and November 1, under the careful inspection of Dr. Pethick, as 
 well as of several experienced butchers, all organs being found healthy and 
 the flesh of superior quality. Specimens from the different organs were also 
 forwarded to the laboratory here, and pronounced by our pathologist to be 
 absolutely free from disease. The other three animals, being pregnant cows, 
 were allowed to live, and, according to latest reports, are in excellent condition, 
 and in full flow of milk, after having given birth to healthy calves 
 
 Of the sixteen animals which were kept in the new stable and fed upon 
 local hay, which contained a considerable quantity of ragwort, fifteen died of 
 Pictou Cattle Disease between July 19, 1904, and August 21, 1905 I may add 
 that to prevent the possibility of doubt as to the cause of death in these animals, 
 specimens from the internal organs of each were forwarded to Dr. Higgins, 
 who verified the diagnosis in every case. The sixteenth animal. No. 12 of Dr. 
 Pethick's report, was slaughtered on October 13, 1905, and although to all 
 external appearances healthy, the pathological examination of the organs showed 
 a slight affection of the liver, and the presence of several characteristic ulcers 
 on the lining of the true stomach. 
 
 Of, the two other animals mentioned above, one of which was fed on chopped 
 ragwort, and the other on oat straw, each receiving a small allowance of bran, 
 the former died of acute hepatic cirrhosis on July 22, 1904, while the latter 
 
remained healthy during the entire test, and when slaughtered o^ Octotei 2^, 
 1905, was found to be absolutely free from the slightest appearance of tee^ 
 
 A calf six months old, bom on the premises, was fed twice daily upon a 
 mixture of one part of ragwort before flowering and twenty parts of cleanhay, 
 reinforced by a daUy ration of two pounds of fresh oats. This experiment 
 which was undertaken for the purpose of ascertammg if the weed would produce 
 the disease at this stage of its growth, began on December 1 1904. Itie call 
 died on May 26, 1905, post mortem and pathological examinations revealing an 
 advanced stage of hepatic cirrhosis. The contact and inoculation experiments, 
 which are described in full detail in Dr. Pethick's report, were absolutely with- 
 out result, it being evidently practically impossible to transmit the disease 
 from one animal to another. t.. i. i u 
 
 In view of the results of these practical experin;ients, which have been 
 carried on with the greatest possible care and exactitude, there need, I think, 
 be no longer any doubt as to the cause of Pictou Cattle Disease, and I have, 
 therefore, already recommended that it be removed at once from the list of 
 affections dealt with under the Animal Contagious Diseases Act. 
 
 While subsidiary experiments conducted by Dr. Pethick show that some 
 benefit undoubtedly results, especially in incipient cases, from the strychnine 
 and iron treatment described by him in a previous report, measures of this kind 
 are of little real value. The efforts of the local authorities and of the stock 
 owners in the affected district should at once be directed towards the eradica- 
 tion of the plant, which is undoubtedly the cause of the whole trouble. 
 
 Owing to the topographical and other conditions existing in the district, 
 it will be quite impossible to get rid of the weed by cultivation, although, on 
 arable land, much can, of course, be achieved by this means. There is, how- 
 ever, much rough and partially wooded country, most of which is badly infested 
 with ragwort, to eradicate which, by any ordinary methods, will be practically 
 impossible. 
 
 It has long been noted by intelligent residents that sheep seem to be able 
 to eat the weed with impunity, although some hold that, after a considerable 
 period, injurious effects are produced, which, if the diet is continued, eventually 
 cause death. It is also held that, even where the plant does not prove fatal, 
 the mutton is rendered unmarketable by a yellow staining, which, after a time, 
 becomes distinctly noticeable. 
 
 As to one fact there is, however, no doubt, viz., that the keeping of sheep 
 on land infested with ragwort is one of the most certain means of bringing about 
 its complete eradication in a short time. This being the case, and in view of 
 all the circumstances, I decided to inaugurate a series of experiments for the 
 purpose of ascertaining whether or not sheep could profitably be utilized for this 
 purpose. I, therefore, early in 1905, authorized Dr. Pethick to purchase four 
 sheep, which were kept during the summer on four acres of very weedy pasture, 
 with the result, as shown by the accompanying pictures, of completely destroy- 
 ing the ragwort which formerly grew in profusion. So far, these animals have 
 shown no symptoms of disease. Several other sheep were purchased a little 
 later forthe purpose of ascertaining at what stage, if any, the tissues began 
 to exhibit the yellow stain to which reference has already been made. These 
 animals have been slaughtered at intervals, and the flesh carefully examined, 
 but no abnormal appearance has been so far observed. 
 
 The lease of the premises being for three years, I determined with your 
 permission, upon the conclusion of the experiments with cattle, to purchase 
 
a number of sheep with a view to securing definite information on the points 
 mentioned above. If it can be shown that sheep eat ragwort with impunity 
 and that no deleterious effects are produced upon the mutton, it goes without 
 saying that they will constitute by far the most practical and profitable agency 
 which can be used by the residents of the affected district in ridding their farms 
 of this dangerous pest. The country in which the weed is found is one exceed- 
 ingly well adapted for sheep culture, and I am convinced that the introduc- 
 tion to the district of this branch of husbandry at the present time, when both 
 wool and mutton are increasing and likely to increase in price, will prove highly 
 profitable. 
 
 As stated above, there is much rough pasture while the arable land has, in 
 many cases, been seriously impoverished by the crude methods of cultivation 
 in vogue, and would be at once enriched and improved by the keeping thereon 
 of a reasonable number of sheep. 
 
 I, therefore, authorized the purchase, in November last, of forty sheep, 
 which were divided into two lots, one score being fed during the winter on weedy 
 hay, while the others were fed upon hay grown in the district but from which 
 all ragwort had been carefully removed. 
 
 Eight goats were also purchased, four being placed with each lot of sheep. 
 These animals have all wintered well, and it is my intention, as soon as pasture 
 becomes available, to subdivide them again, keeping ten sheep and two goats 
 of each lot on clean pasture, and a similar number on pasture badly infested 
 with ragwort. By this means it ought to be possible to ascertain with a reason- 
 able degree or certainty what are the actual effects of ragwort upon sheep, as 
 well as to a certain extent also upon goats. 
 
 It might,, perhaps, be advisable to continue this experiment even longer 
 than is proposed, but I am in hope that by the close of the present season we 
 will be in a position to give definite and reliable advice as to the utilization of 
 these animals in stamping out ragwort, and with it the long dreaded Pictou 
 Cattle Disease. 
 
 Concurrently with the above, an experiment is being carried on with the 
 view of fixing even more certainly upon ragwort the responsibility of causing 
 hepatic cirrhosis. Three healthy young cows have been,^ since November 1, 
 1905, fed on locally grown hay from which all weed has been removed, while 
 three others are fed on similar fodder containing the ordinary quantity of ragwort 
 usually produced in the meadows of the neighbourhood. 
 
 In January last, also, a disabled mare of little value was purchased and is 
 being fed twice a day on hay containing a large quantity of ragwort, chopped 
 fine and carefully mixed. This experiment is controlled by feeding a horse, 
 kept at the station, on hay from which the weed has been entirely removed. 
 
 I have much pleasure^ in again referring you to the careful and elaborate 
 report of Dr. Pethick, who' deserves much credit for the systematic, exact and 
 painstaking manner in which he has carried out these important experiments. 
 
 J. G. RUTHERFORD, 
 
 Veterinary Director General. 
 The Honourable 
 
 V The Minister of Agriculture, 
 Ottawa. 
 
W. H. PETHICK, V.S. 
 
 Antigonish, October 31, 1905. 
 
 Sir,— I have the honour to submit a report of the investigation into the 
 cause of the Pictou Cattle Disease, conducted at the Government Experimental 
 Station, Antigonish, durmg the year just ended. Before dealing with the experi- 
 ments, which I have had the honour of conducting under your direction, I beg 
 liberty to offer a few general remarks on the subject. 
 
 The early history of Pictou Cattle Disease, we must confess, is somewhat 
 shrouded in mystery, but from careful inquiry of the older inhabitants, we learn 
 that the disease first made its appearance in the town of Pictou, about fifty 
 years ago. 
 
 Mr. Connell, of the Customs Department, remembers the first outbreak. 
 The older people interviewed all claim that the plant 'Ragwort' (Senecio jacobea) 
 had by this time a footing in that town. They say that the weed was imported 
 in ballast from Europe and landed at Hatton's wharf, and at an early date was 
 believed to be the cause of the new cattle disease, and so firmly was this believed, 
 that Mr. Gordon, who was then street commissioner, imposed a fine upon those 
 who did not destroy the weed found growing in front of their lands. 
 
 We are told that from the town of Pictou the weed spread to West River, 
 thence to Greenhill, New Glasgow, Eraser's Mountain, Merigomish, and along 
 the gulf shore into Antigonish coimty, as far east as Cape George. We are told 
 the disease followed, and in no instance did the disease overstep the weed limit, 
 and where there was no weed no disease existed. 
 
 Upon looking at the accompanying map, you will see the extent of the 
 present weed area. The portion shaded' shows where it exists as a troublesome 
 agricultural weed, that is in pastures and hay fields and as a stray plant along 
 the roadside and railway it probably extends over nearly the whole of Pictou 
 and Antigonish coimties, and is making some progress into the northern part of 
 Guysborough county. 
 
 The spreading of the we^d to a greater distance east of Pictou than to the 
 west is accounted for by the fact that the prevailing winds here in winter are 
 from the northwest. The heavily shaded portion indicates the territory where 
 the cattle disease exists. 
 
 A noticeable feature in the spread of the disease is a tendency to remain 
 stationary in a locality for perhaps a year or two and then extend somewhat 
 rapidly, takmg m a few more miles of territory and again becoming stationary 
 ^r-,,-^ ^^T^-r.^^1^ ^^ opportunity of obtaining very accurate statistics Dr 
 William McEachran states in his report that up to 1881, one thousand three 
 hundred and ninety-six head of cattle had died, and during that year two 
 hundred and three animals had succumbed. This seems to have been the 
 greatest mortality m any one year to that date. Since then, if we can say that 
 a considerable number of cases are not reported, we might estimate the averaee 
 yeariy mortality at two hundned head. vciage 
 
When this disease visits a farm it remains for years, or until 'Ragwort' is 
 eradicated, causing the loss of from one to six or eight head annually. On some 
 farms the total loss in fifteen or twenty years has exceeded sixty head; on some 
 the entire stock has been lost, and upon restocking, has been lost again; on some 
 the loss was so heavy that stock-keeping had to be abandoned. 
 
 Heretofore the disease was believed to be confined to portions of Pictou 
 and Antigonish counties, but in August, 1903, it was discovered near Souris, 
 P.E.I. , 'Ragwort' is also growing abundantly in this district, and from the 
 evidence of farmers who have lost cattle, it is evident that the disease has during 
 the last seven or eight years been accountable for the loss of sixty or seventy 
 head in this locality. 
 
 Our suspicion that the disease also exists near Alberton, P.E.I. , where 
 'Ragwort' has also a footing, was confirmed last summer, and we have good 
 reasons to fear that this troublesome malady exists undiscovered in localities 
 both on the island and mainland. 
 
 Although some valuable information has been gained through the investi- 
 gations conducted at different times by Professor William Osier, Professor 
 Adami, and the late Dr. Wyatt Johnson regarding the morbid anatomy of the 
 disease, the cause remained a mystery. The popular opinion that the disease 
 was due to the eating of ' Ragwort ' had led to some feeding experiments being 
 conducted under the supervision of Dr. William McEachran. These experi- 
 ments, so far as they extend, gave negative results, and the plant was conse- 
 quently pronounced innocent, and the old theory that the disease was due to 
 some vinknown contagion was adhered to. 
 
 Fortunately you visited Eastern Nova Scotia in 1902, and realizing the 
 disastrous effect of this disease upon the live stock interests of the affected 
 coimties, decided to establish an experiment station within the disease-area 
 where the disease could be studied, and feeding and other experiments con- 
 ducted, and continued for a sufficient length of time to make the result con- 
 clusive . 
 
 You, sir, have already a perfect knowledge of the result, and indeed, every 
 detail of the work at this station. But the probability that this report may 
 be read by many interested people, and, as it seems to me very important that 
 the most skeptical should be convinced that the cause of Pictou cattle disease 
 has as last been settled beyond a doubt, to the end that a united effort be made 
 to exterminate the plant 'Ragwort,' which, besides being accoimtable for cattle 
 disease, grows at the expense of useful fodder plants, and is an enemy of the 
 agriculturist in every sense of the word, I beg leave to give a detailed account 
 of the different experiments which I have had the honour of conducting under 
 your direction. 
 
 Before doing so, I would say that many different theories have been ad- 
 vanced both by the learned and unlearned, regarding the cause of the Pictou 
 cattle disease. Some claim that the causative agent exists in the soil of certain 
 localities, in the form of a micro-organism. Others, that it exists in the body 
 of the animal. It was thought by many that infected stables were account- 
 able, while others were of the opinion that actual contact was necessary for its 
 spread. A few pointed to the possibility of inoculation being accountable, 
 but by far the greater number looked upon 'Ragwort' with suspicion, but these 
 again were divided, some claiming that the injury was done while the animal 
 was at pasture on 'Ragwort' land; others that the weed was only injurious 
 when mixed with the hay and fed during the winter months. A few believed 
 
10 
 
 that the plant, if got before flowering, was innocent. Nearly aU were of the 
 opinion that good or poor feeding rendered animals more or less liable to the 
 disease, many claiming that good feeding gave complete protection. _ _ _ 
 
 Your wisdom in investigating the cause, with each of these theories in view 
 is obvious, and those who will read this report to the end will find their opinion 
 either confirmed or negatived by a thorough and practical experiment.- 
 
 In order that the records of the experiments may be the more complete 
 I have thought well to copy in part from my report of last year's work, and 
 have added thereto the additional information gained, giving the results to date. 
 
 EXPERIMENT No. 1. 
 
 The object of this experiment was to ascertain whether the disease was 
 communicable through the medium of infected stables, if so, does feeding, good 
 or poor, render the animal more or less liable to contract the disease. 
 
 In this test sixteen animals ranging from one to five years old were employed 
 They were housed in an old frame stable, in which thirty-six head of cattle 
 had previously suffered from Pictou cattle disease The building was not dis- 
 infected, or any precautions taken to guard against infection from that source. 
 
 These animals were fed upon hay absolutely free from 'Ragwort,' imported 
 from Quebec 
 
 These were subdivided into lots of four, and the following daily ration 
 allowed : — 
 
 A — D, full hay ration with four pounds grain mixture. 
 E — H, full hay ration with two pounds grain mixture. 
 I — ^L, full hay ration without grain. 
 M — P, restricted allowance of hay without grain. 
 
 WhUe all these animals were during the first summer pastured on land 
 comparatively free from 'Ragwort,' this season eight members of the herd, 
 namely (A), (B), (E), (F), (I), (J), (M) and (N) were grazed, not only upon 
 weedy pasture, but on one in which no less than fourteen head of cattle had 
 died of cattle disease within five months 
 
 All the members of this herd remained in perfect health during the entire 
 test which extended over twenty-three months, the younger ones growing 
 nicely and looking sleek and thrifty Ayhile all were at the time of sale in good 
 market condition, those which had received a grain ration were prime butcher's 
 cattle . 
 
 In accordance with your instructions, all these animals except (C), (E) and 
 (F), which were held over because of advanced pregnancy, were slaughtered 
 between October 10 and October 31 under my inspection A careful postmortem 
 examination revealed nothing abnormal Specimens of different organs from 
 each were forwarded to the Biological Laboratory, Ottawa. 
 
 The pathologist's report confirms my opinion that all were healthy. 
 
 In order to avoid the possibility of criticism or doubt on the part of any, 
 the animals were slaughtered in the presence of experienced butchers, who 
 agreed that all the organs were healthy, and the flesh of that good colour which 
 characterizes healthy beef. 
 
11 
 
 EXPERIMENT No. 2. 
 
 To decide whether the disease is due to the ingestion of 'Ragwort/ if so, 
 does good or poor feeding render more or less liable to disease. 
 
 The sixteen animals employed in this test were procured from well outside 
 the disease-area, and housed in a new isolated stable built for the purpose. 
 They have never since been in contact with other animals, or exposed to outside 
 contagion. It will be noticed that while all were fed on hay containing 'Rag- 
 wort,' every four received a different ration, as follows : — 
 
 1 — 4, sufficient hay containing 'Ragwort' and four pounds grain mixture. 
 
 5 — 8, sufficient hay containing 'Ragwort' and two pounds grain mixture. 
 
 9 — 12, sufficient hay containing 'Ragwort' without grain. 
 
 13 — 16, a restricted allowance of hay containing 'Ragwort' without grain. 
 
 As this experiment is most important, I beg leave to give a separate record 
 of each animal during the entire test. As this must of necessity be brief, I 
 shall only mention conspicuous symptoms and postmortem lesions. 
 
 Animal No. 1. 
 
 A steer two years old*, native bred, average size. This animal fed well and 
 appeared in good health until May 1, 1905, when premonitory symptoms, of Pictou 
 cattle disease were observed, and in the use of the term, I beg to say that our 
 experiment goes to show that this disease is progressive and runs a much more 
 chronic course than previously believed, and to the careful observer who takes 
 pains to become familiar with the appearance and disposition of each animal 
 imder his care, certain premonitory symptoms may be observed in some instances 
 months before the more characteristic symptoms are manifest. 
 
 In this case, as indeed in nearly all others, we noticed a peculiar bleached 
 appearance of the hair, which seemed to have lost its lustre, a desire to be alone, 
 irritation of temper or nervousness, occasional chills, although in a moderately 
 warm stable. This animal would stand and shiver while the healthy members 
 of the herd appeared comfortable. The bowels are irregular, the pulse at this 
 stage is fast although quite strong, temperature slightly above normal. 
 
 On May 16 the more characteristte symptoms set in, visible mucous mem- 
 brane, pale, eyes amaurotic, slight diarrhoea, emaciation. 
 
 June 3. Symptoms much aggravated, very weak, staggering gait, pulse 81, 
 temperature 100. 
 
 June 11. Unable to rise. Died June 14, 1905, being eighteen months and 
 -twenty-one days from beginning of experiment, and forty-four days after first 
 symptoms were noticed. 
 
 Post-mortem. Noticed muscles pale, abdominal cavity contains about three 
 gallons dropsical fluid, marked wasting of mesenteric and omental fat, which is 
 saturated with fluid, rumen half full of food, mucous coat very dark, sub-mucous 
 coat dropsical. The second and third stomachs are partly filled with food, the 
 muscular coat of abomasum is thin and covered with blebs or serous fluid, mucous 
 coat saturated with fluid and dotted here and there with ulcers, some ulcers are 
 recent, some few are healed with scar tissue. The liver is normal in size, some- 
 what mottled. The capsule is very adherent, and the pulp appears cirrhotic. 
 
 ♦The ages given are those of the animals at commencement of experiment. 
 
Missing Page 
 
13 
 
 Post-mortem. The flesh is pale and of sUghtly yellow colour. There is 
 much ascites. The omentum is saturated with fluid. The coats of stomach are 
 oedematous, considerable ulceration of true stomach, ulcers appear recent. In 
 this case, there is fluid under the mucosa of all the intestines; liver is somewhat 
 small ; substance shows fibrous bands ; gall bladder very large ; contains eighteen 
 ounces dark green bile; kidneys are very pale; pericardial sac contains five 
 ounces fluid. 
 
 Animal No. 4. 
 
 Heifer, one year old. This was a very thrifty animal and continued in 
 a.pparently perfect health imtl June 19, 1905, when primary symptoms of 
 cirrhosis set in. The more acute symptoms developed rapidly. By June 28, 
 she had lost much flesh. Diarrhoea was noy constant, appetite gone. 
 
 July 6. Temperature slightly sub-normal. Pulse very intermittent. The 
 skin and visible mucous membranes are of a decidedly yellow tinge. The 
 eyes, though amaurotic, were not so bright as noticed in some other cases. 
 There was swelling of the lower eyelids. 
 
 July 10. Lying down; occasional tenesmus; temperature has fallen to 98. 
 
 Jtily 15. Died of Pictou Cattle Disease, being nineteen months and twenty- 
 one days from beginning of experiment and twenty-six days from beginning 
 of sickness. 
 
 Post-mortem examination reveals the usual gross lesions; ascites is very 
 marked, and the mesenteric fat is decidedly yellow. The mucosa of abomasum 
 hangs in loose folds, contaLaing many ulcers. Many of these are pigmented. 
 The mesenteric lymph glands are much enlarged and soft; the spleen pulp is 
 very dark. The liver, though normal in size, is exceptionally tough, and shows 
 fibrous bands. 
 
 Animal No. 5. 
 
 Steer, two years old; native breed; not a very good feeder; of a nervous 
 temper, and did not thrive as well as some of the others. He was apparently 
 healthy until February 2, 1905, when he began to lose flesh and had the appear- 
 ance of a poorly kept animal. Other suspicious symptoms developed, and 
 by March 22, we were able to diagnose the disease as cirrhosis. TExcept for 
 progressive emaciation, little change was noticed until April 25, when he became 
 decidedly Worse. The symptoms became more pronounced. On May 12, he 
 developed violent cerebral symptoms; was almost constantly in motion, occa- 
 . sionally shaking his head. Sometimes he would stop to take a bite of grass, 
 but appeared imable to swallow (probably due to spasm of oesophagus). The 
 amaurotic condition of the eye was very pronounced. Extra flexion of the 
 knee, which I may say is a fairly constant symptom, was very noticeable, the 
 feet being raised higher from the ground than usual. The action, however, is 
 slow, and the animal seems to hesitate at every step. 
 
 On the 21st, he seemed to have gained new strength. Cerebral symptoms 
 were aggravated, the animal running madly about until completely exhausted. 
 He died May 23, 1905, being seventeen months and twenty-nine days from the 
 beginning of experiment and seventy days from date of first reliable symptom. 
 
 Post-mortem examination revealed the usual gross lesions-. There was not, 
 however, so much ascites, nor was the gall so large as noticed in other cases, 
 
14 
 
 but the liver pulp was very gray. There was also much ulceration of the mucosa 
 of abomasum. 
 
 Animal No. 6. 
 
 Steer, two years old; small. This animal appeared perfectly normal until 
 July 9, 1905, when he exhibited first symptoms of cattle disease. _ 
 
 On August 1, the more acute symptoms developed. In this case, which 
 was the quiet or dull type, which I may say is the form usually met with, m 
 weak subjects, the animal would be found in a fence comer standing quiet or 
 lying down, showing no inclination to join the herd, but rather a desire^for 
 concealment. 
 
 August 5. Diarrhoea has set in and the temperature is sub-normal, 985. 
 The respiration is deep, twenty to a minute; pulse 81. The eye is not so bright 
 as in other cases, and there is no hemorrhage into the conjunctiva. The lower 
 eyelids are much swollen, and there is evidence of much ascites. 
 
 August 10. Lying down. The body is covered with cold sweat. Sticky 
 saliva escapes from the mouth at intervals. 
 
 August 11. Semi-comatose. Died August 12, 1905, being twenty months 
 and nineteen days from the beginning of experiment, and thirty-four days from 
 the date when first sjTuptoms were observed. 
 
 Post-mortem shows the usual lesions. There was much ascites (fully six 
 gallons). The abdominal fat was replaced with layers of jelly-like lymph. The 
 small intestines contained a considerable quantity of sand (this we noticed in 
 many cases). The stomach ulcers are much pigmented. 
 
 Animal No. 7. 
 
 Heifer, one year old, average size. This animal showed no signs of illness 
 imtil April 1, 1905, when we noticed the first symptoms of cattle disease. She, 
 however, continued to feed well, and kept quite strong. 
 
 On June 5, the characteristic symptoms developed abruptly, which were 
 similar to those exhibited by animal No. 5. She died Jime 15, 1905, being 
 eighteen months and twenty-two days from beginning of experiment and 
 seventy-six days from date of first symptoms. 
 
 Post-mortem examination showed a typical case of Pictou cattle disease. 
 
 Animal No. 8. 
 
 Steer, one year old; average size. This animal appeared to be healthy 
 until July 15, 1904, when I noticed the foUowmg entry: — 
 
 Not feeding well; losing flesh, and on August 8 slight diarrhoea and usual 
 symptoms of Pictou Cattle Disease. 
 
 September 1. The ac*te symptoms (similar to No. 1)"" had developed, 
 Died on September 7, 1904, being nine months and fourteen days from begin- 
 ning of experiment and fifty-four days from begiiming of sickness. 
 
 Post-mortem examination showed a well developed case of Pictou cattle 
 disease, the only peculiar feature being the presence of considerable abdominal 
 fat. This, however, is soft and yellow. The liver was smaller tha;i usual, and 
 apparently very cirrhotic. 
 
15 
 
 Animal No. 9. 
 
 Steer one year old, small. This was a good thrifty animal until May 30, 
 1905, when he presented the usual symptoms of cattle disease. 
 
 About June 20 he seemed to improve somewhat in appearance, but by July 
 21 he developed the characteristic symptoms already described. These were, 
 however, of tiie quiet type and he lingered along failing every day. He died on 
 August 21, 1905, being twenty months and twenty-eight days from beginning 
 of experiment and eighty-two days from date of first symptoms. 
 
 Post-mortem examination showed the usual pathological changes resembling 
 those noted in case No. 3. 
 
 Animal No. 10. 
 
 A heifer one year old. This animal was rather thin but appeared healthy 
 until April 2, 1905, when first symptom was noticed. On April 12 diarrhoea and 
 other acute symptoms set in (similar to case No. 6). Died June 2, 1905, being , 
 eighteen months and nine days from beginning of experiment and sixty-one 
 days after first symptom of disease. 
 
 Post-mortem showed the usual lesions. 
 
 Animal No. 11. 
 
 Steer one year old, average size. This was a thrifty animal until April, 
 1904, when the usual premonitory symptoms. were noticed. On May 1 the, more 
 acute symptoms developed. This, however, was a very chronic case. He 
 would for a few days appear much better, then a return of the sjTnptoms, but 
 he would lose more than he had gained. He continued in this way throughout 
 June and July. 
 
 On August 1 the symptoms bfecame more severe, the animal becoming very 
 weak. ■ 
 
 On August 26 the temperature had fallen to 97. Died on September 1, 
 
 1904, being nine months and eight days from beginning of experiment and one 
 hundred and twenty-three days from date of diagnosis. 
 
 Post-mortem examination revealed the characteristic lesions of Pictou 
 cattle disease, but no change was worthy of special notice, the liver to the naked 
 eye showing much fibrosis. 
 
 Animal No. 12. 
 
 Steer one year old. This was a strong, healthy animal and a good feeder. 
 He never gave evidence of sickness, and kept in fair flesh. However, he did 
 not seem to grow as well as might be expected. He was kiUed on October 24, 
 
 1905, being twenty-four months from beginning of experimfents. All the organs 
 appear healthy to naked eye except a few ufcers on mucous coat of abdomen. 
 Dr. Higgins has found upon microscopic examination a slight deposit of con- 
 nective tissue around the bile ducts with the usual pericellular extension, as 
 well as other characteristic changes in the liver, and although this deposit was 
 so slight that it would be impossible to detect its presence except under high 
 power, yet the result of this examination proves conclusively that this animal 
 
16 
 
 also was affected with Pictou cattle disease, although not exhibiting any clinical 
 symptons. 
 
 This, I beg to say, is but another instance of the great assistance your in- 
 spectors derive from the Biological Laboratory under such capable management. 
 
 Animal No. 13. 
 
 Steer 'one year old. This animal appeared in good health until about 
 January 3, 1905, when he began to lose flesh. By February 1 the premonitory- 
 symptoms had developed, these becoming more pronounced until April 11, when 
 the more acute symptoms were observed. Died on May 20, 1905, being seven- 
 teen months and twenty-six days from beginning of experiment and one hundred 
 and twenty days from first symptom of disease. 
 
 Post-mortem examintion showed the usual gross lesions of Pictou cattle 
 disease. 
 
 Animal No. 14. 
 
 Heifer one year old. Appeared in good health until about April 17, 1905, 
 when first symptoms of cirrhosis were observed. The more characteristic 
 symptoms developed about May 29. Appetite was very irregular; hind quarters 
 became weak and paralyzed. On June 17 she became semi-comatose; pulse 
 intermittent; temperature 99. Died on June 19, 1905, being eighteen months 
 and twenty-six days from beginning of experiment and sixty-three days from 
 date of first symptom of disease. 
 
 Post-mortem examination showed organs to be in much the same condition 
 as that of No. 1. 
 
 Animal No. 15. 
 
 Heifer one year old. This animal was very thrifty. Early in June she 
 began to lose fiesh, but fed well until June 7, when the acute symptoms (similar 
 to No. 5) developed. Violent cerebral symptons were noticed. 
 
 On June 16 she broke from the enclosure, becoming dangerous. Was shot 
 on June 16, being nineteen months and twenty-two days from beginning of 
 experiment and nine days after first symptom was noticed. 
 
 _ Post-mortem examination revealed the usual lesions. There was not much 
 ascites, but the mucosa of the true stomach was much ulcerated and the liver 
 very cirrhotic. 
 
 Animal No. 16. 
 
 Heifer one year old. This animal appeared perfectly normal until June 2, 
 1904, when we observed the first symptoms of the disease. The more acute 
 symptoms developed abruptly. These did not vary much in character from 
 those exhibited by No. 3. She died July 19, 1904, being seven months and 
 twenty-six days from beginning of experiment and forty-seven days from date 
 of first reliable symptom. 
 
 Post-mortem examination showed this to be a typical case of cattle disease. 
 There was fully five gallons of ascitic fluid in the peritoneal cavity, while the 
 stomach and liver gave the usual lesions. 
 
Field on which Cattle were kept showing growth of Eagwort. 
 
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17 
 
 THIRD EXPERIMENT 
 
 To ascertain if the feeding of 'Ragwort' (which had been separated from 
 the hay with which it was growing and thoroughly cured) would produce the 
 disease. 
 
 This test was conducted in a new stable, the subjects being two two-year- 
 old steers, quite healthy, about the same size and weight. Animal No. 17, 
 steer two years old, was fed twice daily on chopped 'Ragwort' with a little 
 bran, while animal ISTo. 18 was fed twice daily on chopped oat straw with very 
 little bran. Although somewhat thin. No. 17 was bright and apparently healthy 
 until July 14, 1904, when symptoms of cattle disease developed abruptly, charac- 
 terized by severe nervous distm-bance and loss of power of the limbs, palpita- 
 tion, rapid action of the heart, sub-normal temperature and extreme emaciation. 
 Died on July 22, 1904, being seven months and twenty-eight days from begin- 
 ning of experiment and eight days from date of first definite symptom. 
 
 Post-mortem examination revealed a well developed case of Pictou cattle 
 disease. 
 
 Animal No. 18. 
 
 Steer two years old. This animal continued in good health during the 
 •entire test and was slaughtered for beef on October 24, 1905, being twenty- 
 three months from beginning of test. All the organs were upon careful examina- 
 tion found to be perfectly normal. This was verified by the pathologist after 
 examining the specimens forwarded him. 
 
 FOURTH EXPERIMENT. 
 
 To ascertain if 'Ragwort,' if cut before flowering, would produce the disease. 
 A quantity of 'Ragwort' was cut before flowering and mixed with twenty times 
 its bulk of clean hay. 
 
 A calf six months old (No. 19) was fed twice daily upon this mixture, also 
 receiving two pounds crushed oatB. The feeding began on -December 1, 1904. 
 The animal did not grow well but appeared fairly healthy until May 1, 1905, 
 when diarrhoea set in. He now failed rapidly, exhibiting symptoms of nervous 
 disturbance, followed by notable dejection. He died on May 26, 1905, being 
 five months and twenty-six days from beginning of experiment and twenty-six 
 ■days from date of first symptom. r it, i j 
 
 Post-mortem changes did not vary much in character from these already 
 
 described. 
 
 CONTACT EXPERIMENT. 
 
 Two healthy young animals (G. and N.) were, on April 7, 1904, placed in 
 an isolated stable and tied in the same stable with an animal suffermg from 
 cattle disease. All were fed on imported hay out of the same manger and 
 watered from one pail. 
 2 
 
18 
 
 During the summer the contact animals were kept in an enclosure with the 
 animals affected with the disease. No precaution was taken in any^way to 
 guard against infection. 
 
 The contact animals remained perfectly healthy during the entire test, 
 and were slaughtered for beef on October 23, 1905. 
 
 Post-mortem examination showed the organs normal, as was verified by 
 the pathologist. 
 
 Even more striking proof of the non-contagion of the disease will be found 
 in the case of animal No. 18 (experiment No. 3). 
 
 This steer was stabled during two winters and pastured during two summers 
 with the 'Ragwort' fed cattle. Sixteen of these animals lived and died at 
 his side. He fed over the ground on which they had fallen; was often noticed 
 licking the sick ones when they were unable to rise. He was kept in an exactly 
 similar way to the others except that 'Ragwort' was withheld. 
 
 INOCULATION EXPERIMENT. 
 
 The blood and ascitic fluid used in this test was obtained from experiment 
 heifer No. 4. In his report upon the specimens from this case, your patho- 
 logist states that the cirrhotic condition of the liver was more extensive than 
 in any of the experimental cases that he had examined, thus leaving no room 
 for doubt as to the reliability of the material employed. 
 
 Subcutaneous inoculation — 
 
 Cow (B.) Fifteen cubic centimetres of fresh blood. 
 Steer (J.) Thirty " 
 
 Steer (K.) Fifteen' " " ascitic fluid. 
 
 Heifer (L.) Thirty " 
 
 Intravenous inoculation — 
 
 Heifer (M.) Fifteen cubic centimetres of fresh blood. 
 Heifer (0.) Thirty " 
 
 Intraperitoneal inoculation — 
 
 Steer (D.) Fifteen cubic centimetres of fresh blopd. 
 Steer (A.) Thirty " 
 
 Steer (H.) Fifteen' " " ascitic fluid. 
 
 Heifer (P.) Thirty " 
 
 These animals were inoculated on July 15, 1905, there was no swelling a;t 
 point of injection or any ill effects of any nature. Temperature and pulse 
 remained normal throughout. The animals were slaughtered between October 
 10 and October 31, 1905. Post-mortem examination gave no lesions of any 
 description. 
 
 A similar test, in which guineS pigs were employed, gave negative results. 
 
 I beg to submit that the above experiments prove clearly that Pictou Cattle 
 Disease is not contagious, either by means of stable, pasture, contagion or 
 inoculation, but is caused solely by the ingestion of 'Ragwort,' or by some 
 deleterious substance which it imparts to the bay. 
 
19 
 
 TREATMENT. 
 
 As to treatment, I have little to say. My observations during the past 
 year confirm the 'opinion that the strychnine and iron treatment (outlined in 
 my last season's report) will, in many cases, prolong the life, and in incipient 
 cases, may enable the owner to get the animal into marketable condition, but 
 medicine cannot repair the morbid changes in the liver, and it is very doubtful 
 if much practical benefit can be derived therefrom. 
 
 PREVENTION. 
 
 Eradication of 'Ragwort' is the first essential. I believe, sir, that you 
 are of the opinion that sheep and perhaps goats, will prove a most valuable 
 aid in the fight that should at once be made against this plant. I heartily concur 
 in your opinion, and firmly believe that if sheep were confined in sufficient 
 number upon weedy farms and concerted action taken to cut the weed wherever 
 found, in a few years the land will be free from 'Ragwort,' and, consequently, 
 from cattle disease. 
 
 The following experiment helps to confirm this opinion. Four sheep were 
 confined since April 1, 1905, on four acres of very weedy pasture. The field 
 (as will be seen from the photograph which I have the honour of sending you) 
 is entirely free from 'Ragwort,' while it is bounded on all sides by a luxuriant 
 growth of the plant. More extensive experim_entation, however, along this 
 line is necessary before sufficiently reliable information is gained. 
 
 While it is generally admitted that sheep will destroy 'Ragwort,' the 
 opinion prevails that the plant has an injurious effect upon the sheep, first by 
 causing sickness and death, secondly by staining the tissues and rendering the 
 flesh unmarketable. 
 
 All these are points of vital interest to the farmer and stock owner, and 
 I am glad to learn that you have under consideration a series of experiments 
 which I believe will be of most practical value. 
 
 In conclusion, I am glad to be able to say that no contagious disease has 
 visited this country dmring the year, although I have investigated the usual 
 number of reported outbreaks. I have, however, caused to be slaughtered 
 sixty head of cattle, these being infected with Pictou Cattle Disease. Detailed 
 accounts of each case have been forwarded to you. 
 
 I have the honour to be, sir, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 W. H. PETHICK, 
 
 Inspector. 
 The Veterinary Director General, 
 Ottawa. 
 
Cornell University Library 
 SF 967.P6C2 
 
 Special report on Pictou cattle disease, 
 
 3 1924 003 262 155