Here to Stay: Day 16

Word Count: 97,571

Summary of Events:

James came to the house and discovered that his mother had heard nothing from Jake, despite her efforts to contact him, and ended up discovering that Jake was at Mr. Hilmarsson's. Mr. Hilmarsson told Jake that it was 16:05 — and Jake was supposed to be home by 16:15 to help make supper — which surprised Jake, and left him disappointed, as he didn't want to leave, but Mr. Hilmarsson said he was welcome back whenever he wanted. James came in the house for supper and found Mr. Baron had come to talk to him; although reluctant, James acquiesced and learned — to no surprise — that Mr. Baron's cattle had tested positive for BTB, and that Mr. Baron wanted to know what BTB was, which also required James explaining what a ruminant was, as all ruminants were susceptible to the disease . . .

Excerpt of the Day:

“There are numerous wild ruminants in the area, such as bighorn sheep, mountain goats, deer, and elk,” James said. “So I hope your cattle haven’t become socially acquainted with them, otherwise BTB isn’t going to be eradicated and you’re going to be hated by everyone around here for having introduced it, as it’s hard to detect and eradicate in animals not constrained by fences.”

“What about my horses?” Mr. Baron asked.

“Horses are not ruminants,” James replied. “Thus this disease shouldn’t have any effect on them.”

James couldn’t deny, however, that he wouldn’t be upset if it did, as that would mean that Mr. Baron would be forced to get new horses whether he wanted to or not.

“And, um, how is BTB treated?” Mr. Baron asked.

“By about fifteen grams of copper and lead propelled by up to four and a half grams of gunpowder,” James replied.

“Gunpowder?” Mr. Baron asked. “That’s medicinal?”

“It was often used that way,” James replied. “It’s probably more likely the infected animals these days are going to get a lethal injection, but shooting them is also an option.”

“They’re going to get killed?” Mr. Baron asked. 

“Yes,” James replied. “And the rest of the animals will be quarantined until the government tells you otherwise.”

“Why does the government have to tell me?” Mr. Baron asked.

The question caught James by surprise, but then he reminded himself that Mr. Baron knew nothing, which made it no surprise at all.

“BTB is a federally reportable disease,” James replied. “This is because it is both very contagious, and because of the fact that those animals which are infected by it are unfit for consumption, thus the government needs to know when animals have it so that they don’t get shipped off to be made into hamburgers and steaks and lead to losses of money and reputation for you, the beef industry, and Canada itself. The government will carry out the slaughter, as well as reimbursing you according to the market value of beef.”

“Oh,” Mr. Baron said. “Well that’s good to know. Thanks for your help.”

James gave a single nod, before he opened the door and let Mr. Baron lead the way out of the office to the front entry.

“We’ll get that one cow dealt with,” Mr. Baron said once he had his boots on. “And then it’ll all be right as rain again. See you around.”

Feeling a little bemused, James stared at the door that now separated him from Mr. Baron for a long moment. Just one cow?

Over the weeks since he’d noticed that first cow, James had seen signs of symptoms in more than a few other animals, he was pretty sure it was more than one animal, if not even potentially the entire herd, that would need to be slaughtered.