CATTLE DISEASE. 237 



ties, to see that no animals be admitted into the State, either directly 

 or indirectly, from any quarter ivhere there is reason to believe that 

 tJie disease exists. 



We are prepared to say, that absolute and perfect non importa- 

 tion is the only preventive measure worthy even of consideration. 

 We have no security whatever against the introduction of the dis- 

 ease, so long as animals from neighboring States are permitted to 

 be brought in, whether directly or indirectly, through highways or 

 byways, by land or by water. The temptation to get rid of animals 

 which have been exposed is very great ; the absence of any indica- 

 tions of disease gives great facilities for doing so, and apparent 

 cheapness may be a fatal lure to the unwary purchaser. 



The question of extirpation is, happily, not yet before us. Should 

 it arise as a practical matter, we do not hesitate to recommend the 

 instant slaughter of all animals afiected with the disease, and the 

 complete and perfect isolation from all other animals of such as may 

 be reasonably suspected of having been exposed to the contagion. 

 Massachusetts is wide awake. Her efforts to save herself and sister 

 states from an unparalleled calamity, are worthy of the highest praise. 

 The only regret is, that the efforts at extirpation were not com- 

 menced earlier. Had the legislation been more prompt, and the 

 first appropriation (of $10,000) been made a month sooner, it would 

 in all probability have sufficed to extirpate the disease utterly. As 

 it is, $25,000 have been expended, and it is now proposed to use 

 $100,000 more, if needed, an appropriation to that amount having 

 been made. 



The undersigned cannot conclude their report without adverting 

 to the whole-hearted courtesy with which they were greeted and 

 treated by the legislative committee then in session, and by all the 

 public functionaries of Massachusetts with whom they were brought 

 in contact. Every facility for investigation was liberally accorded, 

 and every avenue to knowledge freely opened. 



Respectfully submitted, 



S. L. GOODALE, 



A. NOURSE, 



E. HOLMES. 

 Augusta, June 13th, 1860. 



