824 ■ BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS ON DISEASES OF 

 DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 



We are happy to report the general good health of all kinds of 

 farm stock in the State. 



Tuberculosis in neat stock continues with its usual fatality, and 

 warns against using as breeders animals with this tendency, for 

 while under certain circumstances it is contagious, it is also hered- 

 itary. With the exercise of prudent caution it should rarely 

 occur. 



Abortion in cows travels about, invading new herds and leaving 

 others. There is no known remedy or preventive, but one precau- 

 tionary measure should be to avoid introducing any animals from 

 infected herds. 



The Fouls, though not generally considered contagious, is fast 

 gaining this estimation. We have found that when one animal in 

 a herd is affected many other cases are apt to foUov/ — hence a 

 strict quarantine of the afflicted should be maintained. 



It varies so much in its severity from a mere cutaneous affection, 

 or irritation between the toes, to a deep-seated affection of the 

 ;boiies, as to require very different treatment, according to its 

 .severity. No general prescription can be given, but each case 

 must be treated by itself. Cleanliness and attention to the general 

 .health are always in order. 



Your Commission has had numerous calls — as in case of sudden 

 death from suspected poison ; of disease of the lungs, where conta- 

 gious pleuro-pneumonia was feared — which have proved false 

 alarms, except in one notable case at Salem, where we found an 

 outbreak of true contagious pleuro-pneumonia, or 



LUNO PLAGUE. 



August 7th we were informed of the existence of a fatal disease in 

 the herd of Mr. H. E. Williams of Salem, and on the 8th the case 

 received our attention. We found that two cows had died July 

 23d, and at the date of our visit there were three very sick animals; 

 five others comprising the herd. 



As two of the sick were typical cases of pleuro-pneumonia, we 

 quarantined the herd, and the next day called Dr. F. E. Rice. On 

 our arrival we found one cow dead, and on post-mortem examina- 

 tion, our previously-expressed opinion was confirmed. 



