The Dread Plague and the Cow Killers: The Politics of Animal Disease in Mexico and the World

The Mexican and US governments waged a massive campaign against a livestock plague, aftosa, from 1947 to 1954. It involved thousands of veterinarians and ranchers, Mexican troops, and scientists from Europe and the Americas and successfully eradicated the virus in Mexico. It reshaped policies, institutions, and knowledge around the world and explored the formation of the Mexican state, changing ideas of development and security, and the history of human-animal relations.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 25 August 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Between 1947 and 1954, a massive campaign was waged by the Mexican and US governments against a devastating livestock plague known as aftosa or foot-and-mouth disease. This campaign absorbed over half of US economic aid to Latin America and involved thousands of veterinarians, ranchers, and scientists from both countries. Battalions of Mexican troops and scientists from Europe and the Americas were deployed, making it unprecedented in size. Despite daunting obstacles and entrenched opposition, the campaign was successful in eradicating the virus in Mexico, reshaping policies, institutions, and knowledge around the world.

In his comprehensive history, Thomas Rath delves into the campaign's origins, the forces that shaped it, and the complicated legacy it left. He utilizes untapped sources from local, national, and international archives to provide a detailed account of this campaign. More broadly, the book explores the formation of the Mexican state, changing ideas of development and security, and the history of human-animal relations.

The campaign against aftosa was a significant event in the history of both Mexico and the United States. It demonstrated the power of collaboration and scientific expertise in combating a global health crisis. It also highlighted the complex relationships between humans, animals, and the environment, and the challenges of managing livestock and disease in a rapidly changing world.

The book's detailed account of the campaign against aftosa provides valuable insights into the history of Mexico and the United States, and into the broader themes of development, security, and human-animal relations. It is a must-read for anyone interested in these topics, and in the history of Latin America more broadly.

Weight: 520g
Dimension: 159 x 236 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108844482