204 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



The history of this disease in the United States presents some 

 features of interest, which may be appropriately presented here. 



It was brought into Massachusetts about three years ago, by 

 means of cattle imported from Holland by Mr. Chenery of Bel- 

 mont. In his buildings its ravages were very much aggravated 

 during the next winter by want of ventilation. It did not extend 

 however, beyond his own premises, until he sold some calves to 

 go to North Brookfield, where it spread with rapidity, and caused 

 much alarm. The Legislature took up the matter and appointed 

 commissioners, who killed the sick and also those which had been* 

 exposed, and the disease was believed to be eradicated ; but last 

 year it broke out again, having leaked through, somewhere or 

 somehow. The former commission having expii-ed, the Legisla- 

 ture provided for a new one. The Council, however, was so skep- 

 tical as to the reality of a dangerous contagious disease, and so fully 

 believed that the alarm was causeless, and the proposed expense 

 needless, that they put on the commission two of their own faith, 

 together with one who had seen the disease and knew the truth of 

 the case. They were soon called upon in their official capacity to 

 investigate and take action. The "logic of facts" was sufficient 

 to convert them speedily. In June last, they issued a circular to 

 the farmers of Massachusetts, of which a few extracts are given 

 below : 



" The disease termed pleuro-pneumonla has appeared in several herds of 

 cattle in the eastei'n portion of the State during the present season. The 

 State Cattle Commissioners have adopted the most effective measures to pre- 

 vent its dissemination. All cattle that have been exposed, with the exception 

 of four have been destroyed. The Commissioners have been forced to this 

 mode by the logic of the facts. These have been scrutinized vpith the utmost 

 care and vigilance. No opportunities have been suffered to pass without im- 

 provement, and no efforts have been regarded as vain which promised to 

 throw light upon the origin and characteristics of the disease. Two of the 

 three Commissioners commenced their labors with a feeling that by careful 

 inquiry, and by thorough examination, they should be enabled to demon- 

 strate to the public the inexpediency of the action of tlio former Board of 

 Commissioners, as well as the groundlessness of the apprehensions of many 

 in regard to the fatal character of the disease. 



A number of persons had published treatises to prove that pleuro-pneumo- 

 nia was generated in pDorly ventilated barns, and was not infectious. The 

 facts, as developed to the Commissioners have constrained them to discard 

 their flrst impressions, and to deny the positions of the various writers before 

 alluded to. They have, moreover, thoroughly convinced themselves that the 

 worst apprehensions in regard to the diseases are well founded and wise. 

 They have found the disease prevailing in barns of every variety of structure, 

 and of all degrees of ventilation, and oven in the open Belds. Tliey have 

 traced it from root to branches, whither it flows as surely as the sap flows in 

 trees. They do not find a single case outside of the line of transmission. 



