Commissioner of Agriculture. 193 



attention during the past year, and whenever the conditions 

 seemed to warrant such a course, I have applied to you for and 

 procured the services of a veterinarian, who in most cases has 

 been able to bring relief. 



In the case of one Burns, it was found by Dr. Kelly that 

 several milch cows had been taken with what seemed to be a 

 kind of epidemic ailment, beginning with a shrinkage in the flow 

 of milk and followed by loss of appetite and falling away of 

 flesh. In one case extreme emaciation continued for months ami 

 seemed to point toward tuberculosis, while in other cases the 

 trouble seemed to be transitory. 



The case of sick swine, reported from the town of Clayton and 

 for the treatment of which several visits were made by a De- 

 partment veterinarian, was thought to be caused by feeding im- 

 pure and partially decayed food, the refuse of the hotel swill 

 barrel, and other questionable sources. 



My attention was called during the month of September to a 

 disease that broke out in the herd of milch cows owned by Hon. 

 Le Roy Crawford at Chase's Lake. Individuals of that herd 

 were taken with loss of appetite, great decrease in the flow of 

 milk, high temperature, increased respiration and death in about 

 four days. Several valuable cows had died before I called the 

 attention of the Department to this case. A veterinarian was 

 promptly furnished me, and after his diagnosis and treatment 

 no more deaths occurred. I refrain in this case, as in all 

 others, from attempting a scientific description, knowing that 

 the report of the attending veterinarian in each case, which is 

 available, contains information much more accurate and valu- 

 able than could any report furnished by me. 



In this belief, and realizing the great importance of studying 

 these cases, I would call your attention to a peculiar and seri- 

 ous disease first reported to me by Nicholas Keiffer of Kirschner- 

 ville. Mr. Keiffer has a pasture containing about 140 acres, 

 mostly rough land, much of which is unfit for the plow. Neigh- 

 bors living within a few miles of this pasture during the past 

 season furnished from five to ten head of one and two-year old 

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