REPORT ON MURRAIN. 149 



origin are very rare ; but it is reasonably supposed that the ex- 

 treme contagious nature of the disease may be propogated 

 through the medium of the atmosphere, in common with other 

 diseases of a like nature. The diseased animal products, which 

 are so well known to be poisonous to healthy cattle, undoubtedly 

 furnish the virus in an indefinite form ; but in the majority of 

 cases, where it has originated without known actual contact, the 

 precaution of necessary care and attention, in more particulars 

 than one, have been sadly deficient. 



Being a disease in which the mucous membranes suffer ex- 

 tensively, and give rise to products of a highly contagious na- 

 ture, and taking into consideration their great susceptibility to 

 surrounding influences, their capability of absorbing matter in 

 minute division, and to become rapidly diseased in such cases, 

 there is every possibility that murrain may originate in some 

 instances from defective housing, feeding, and want of proper 

 attention to sanitary regulations. The most prevailing causes, 

 however, at present may be traced to the travelling of diseased 

 animals to fairs and markets, on roads, or in steamboats, rail- 

 way trucks, subsequently used by healthy cattle. Hay, straw, 

 grass, &c, conveyed from one farm to another, or exposed in 

 markets for sale, probably may effect a transmission of the disease. 

 Sheep, by their wool, game, dogs, &c, have also, in common 

 with the clothes of individuals, been invested with a consider- 

 able amount of supposed power in its conveyance ; and doubtless 

 foreign cattle frequently bring it with them, having been landed 

 during the incubatory stage, when actual symptoms were not 

 present. Small farmers and dairymen who use markets for the 

 saleand purchase of stock, particularly in the immediate vicinity 

 of the writer, suffer from the effects of murrain, and also act as 

 effective agents in propagating the disease by direct contagion. 



Preventive and Remedial Treatment. 



Of the former, it will be apparent that in consideration of the 

 subtle nature of the disease, our first efforts should be directed 

 towards arresting or limiting the means by which it is introduced 

 and propagated among our stock. It is obvious also how feeble 

 our efforts must be in this, as in all other conditions of a similar 

 tendency, when the causes are of such imponderable characters, 

 to circumscribe its disastrous effects upon animals to whom it has 

 been introduced. Results are often , recognised only when irre- 

 parable mischief has been committed, the continued progress of 

 disease certain — the whole herd without doubt infected. It is 

 thus when ordinary measures, as isolation and fumigation, &c, 

 are of no avail, the deterioration of stock goes on impeded, and 

 in the absence of machinery of an elaborate and effective nature, 

 I, for one, see but a poor reward for endeavours short of this as 



