Investigations into the Nature, Causation, and Prevention of Texas or Southern Cattle Fever Page: 71
301 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 24 cm.View a full description of this book.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
THE CAUSATION OR ETIOLOGY OF TEXAS FEVER.
tion take place? There are two possibilities in view. Either the large
pyriform body, while within the corpuscle or after it is set free, may enter
the reproductive stage and produce a generation of very minute bodies
akin to the motile, bright intraglobular bodies seen in fresh blood, or
there may be a free reproductive phase, distinct from the intraglobular
forms, taking place in the blood.
THE NATURE OF THE TEXAS-FEVER MICROORGANISM AND ITS RE-
LATION TO THE PARASITES OF THE RED CORPUSCLES OF OTHER
ANIMALS AND OF MAN.
It has been known since 1881 that the various types of malarial fever
in man were accompanied by minute organisms living within the red
corpuscles. This discovery by Laveran has been followed by confirma-
tions in various parts of the world, and it is generally accepted that
these intraglobular organisms are the cause of malaria. Stimulated by
this important discovery, various observers have studied the blood of
many animals (frog, turtle, and various birds) and have found therein
certain minute parasites which likewise pass their life chiefly within red
corpuscles. Much has been written upon the interrelation of these forms
and their bearing on malaria in man. Nothing positive, however, has
come of it, although there is a close resemblance between some of the
parasites found in birds and those found in man. They all have in
common the peculiar habit of living in the red corpuscles. Those of
cold-blooded animals (frog and turtle) do not contain any pigment gran-
ules. On the other hand, those of birds and man do, as a rule, contain
granules of dark pigment which is derived from that portion of the
red corpuscle destroyed by them. These pigment granules are by some
regarded as the more abundant the more retarded the growth of the
parasite, and consequently the slower the destruction of the containing
corpuscle. The parasites found in the blood of birds and man first
appear as minute, slowly enlarging amoeboid bodies in the red corpus-
cles. Soon pigment granules appear. When of a certain size these
bodies break up within the corpuscles into a variable number of spores.
These are set free and begin life as a new generation by entering other
red corpuscles and undergoing the same development. These cell para-
sites are not associated with a visibly diseased state of the animals in
which they are found. In man it is well known that certain kinds of
fevers known as malarial are produced by them.
The Texas-fever parasite differs in many important respects from all
those thus far described. Its morphology is quite unique. It contains
no pigment. It probably runs through its whole development in a short
time, otherwise it would be difficult to account for the rapid destruction
of red corpuscles. Nevertheless, no distinctly reproductive phase has
been seen during four years of observation of a great variety of cases.
It is hardly within the scope of this report to go into any details con-71
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Book.
Smith, Theobold & Kilborne, Fred Lucius. Investigations into the Nature, Causation, and Prevention of Texas or Southern Cattle Fever, book, 1893; Washington D.C.. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth143538/m1/71/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting University of Texas Health Science Center Libraries.