206 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



doubtedly contracted it. There were no other cattle on board the 

 boat, nor was she at any other time exposed. In a fortnight she 

 began to exhibit symptoms of the disease, and in little more than a 

 week afterwards she died. Three weeks subsequently, first one 

 and then the other which had stood next her became sick, with 

 only a day or two between them. The first one, as soon as she 

 was seen to be sick, was removed to the hospital or separate build- 

 ing for any which might be sick. If all who are visited by this 

 scourge would act with the promptness and discretion which Mr. 

 Prentice manifested, there would be little danger of its ever spread- 

 ing extensively. He at once separated his herd, leaving only one, 

 or in some cases two in a place ; but he lost fourteen out of his 

 herd of thirty, and the plague was then stayed without spreading 

 to other herds. He did not allow any to return for a whole year, 

 and in the meantime had the stables thoroughly fumigated and 

 cleansed; the stalls, cribs, &c., whitewashed with quicklime — and 

 so he got well rid of it. 



In July last I visited a milk dairy establishment at Brooklyn, N. 

 Y., where nearly a thousand cows are kept. One had just been 

 turned out into the yard, a most unmistakable case of pleuro-pneu- 

 monia ; and I was informed that six others had been taken away 

 by the scavenger that morning. 



The disease has spread but little, considering the time it has ex- 

 isted there ; but this is because none go out except to the butcher, 

 or to be buried by the scavenger. But it has extended, more or 

 less, into New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and there is danger of its 

 being carried anywhere, and at any time. 



The worst feature of the case is, that the farmers there look up- 

 on it as a visitation, to be borne with what patience it may — not 

 to be got rid of; and they mostly seem indifferent to its existence, 

 or threatened ravages, apparently hoping to keep their own herds 

 clear of it. 



Such being the facts, nothing could be more unwise in us than 

 to get into a panic, or even to feel alarm at every case of sickness 

 among cattle. At the same time, great caution should be con- 

 stantly exercised lest this fatal, contagious disease be introduced. 

 Cases of sickness among cattle, and even of lung complaints, bear- 

 ing considerable resemblance to this, have always prevailed more 

 or less, and are to be expected in the future, but this contagious 

 lung disease need not be expected until it is brought here. 



