312 transactkSns of tub 



fibrinc of the blood, which is the component part of the blood that pro- 

 duces coagulation,) now flows in vessels, and, dysenteric purging also sets 

 in, under which, as a rule, the animal quickly sinks." 



Professor Simonds arrives at the following conclusions in his report: 



" That all the facts connected with the history of the outbreaks of the 

 rinderpest concur in proving that the malady does not spread from 

 country to country as an ordinary epizootic; and that if it were a dis- 

 ease exclusively belonging to this class, tlie sanitary measures which are 

 had recourse to throughout Europe would be inefficient in preventing its 

 extension, and consequently that in all probability we should long since 

 have been both practically and painfully familiar with it in this country, 

 as hundreds of our cattle would liave siiccumbed to its destructive effects. 



'■'■That it is one of the most infectious maladies of ichich we have any expe- 

 rience, and that it is capable of being conveyed from animal to animal by 

 persons and various articles of clothing, etc., which have come in contact 

 with diseased cattle. 



" That the ox tribe is alone susceptible to the disease; and that the 

 morbific matter on which it depends lies dormant in the system for a 

 period of not less than seven days, and occasionally, according to some 

 continental authorities, as long as twenty days, before the symptoms declare 

 themselves. 



" That the deaths often amount to ninetj^ per cent. 



" That the malady is one in which the blood is early if not primarily 

 affected ; and that subsequently the mucous membranes throughout the 

 entire body become the principal seat of the morbid changes. 



" That all varieties of medical treatment which have as yet been tried 

 have failed in curing the disease; the recoveries Avhich take place having 

 for the most part depended on the healing power of nature. 



" That no fear need be entertained that this destructive pest will reach 

 our shores. Its present great distance from us would of itself afford a 

 fair amount of security; but when we add to this that no cattle find 

 their way from thence directly or indirectly to the English market, and 

 also, in the event of the disease spreading from Galicia it would have to 

 break through hundreds of military cordons, one after the other, before 

 it could possibly reach the western side of the German States, and, more- 

 over, that for years past commerce has been unrestricted with regard to 

 skins, hides, bones, etc., of cattle from Eussia and elsewhere, all alarm, 

 we believe, may cease with reference to its importation into the British 

 isles." 



It will be remembered that the above report was made before the dis- 

 ease had made its appearance in England, and the great distance and 

 other circumstances named proved unavailing to keep the disease fi-om 

 that country. While our own Government has prevented by law the 

 importation of cattle into any ports of the United States, still we may 

 find it among us at any da}^, and our only remedy in case it should 

 appear will be to prevent its spread. 



Proll'ssor Simonds, in a late report to the Privy Council of England, 

 states that " the experience already gained in this country confirms that 

 of Europe as a whole, viz : that whenever the plague breaks from its 

 stronghold in llussia and invades other countries, medical skill is power- 

 less in ai-resting its progress b}^ curative measures." England, on the 



