330 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



On our arrival we learned that immediately after our departure on 

 the 9th, Capt. Seaman had slaughtered the cow to which allusion has 

 been made, and on the 10th, Mr. Williams had slaughtered the steer, 

 which had been pronounced so badly diseased. 



The veterinarians present examined all the animals easily accessible, 

 some being in a distant pasture. As a result of this examination we 

 concurred in advising the slaughter of the diseased and exposed animals. 

 We then withdrew pending negotiations between your Commission and 

 Mr. Williams. 



Friday, September 7th, a third visit was made, Dr. D. E. Salmon, of 

 the Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C, being added to the 

 party. As veterinarians, we were agreed as to the urgent necessity for 

 slaughter of all animals affected by this outbreak ; but as no appraisal 

 could be secured, as the assessors declined to act, evidently influenced 

 by the owner, we again withdrew. 



Sept. 7th, your Commission, in company with Drs. Salmon, Parkin- 

 son, and myself, made a fourth visit to Mr. Williams's place, only to find 

 the barns locked. 



Sept. 12th, your Commission, with last named veterinarians, visited 

 the place, and having secured the attendance of the assessors, a steer, 

 the property of Mr. Williams, was appraised and slaughtered, and not- 

 withstanding the fact that the animal was not one that the veterinarians 

 present would have selected as best calculated to demonstrate the dis- 

 ease on post-mortem, and did not seem to the owner and others at all 

 badly diseased, his lungs presented the typical change of an advanced 

 stage of pleuro-pneumonia, and to an extent that would have seemed 

 sufficient to cause death. 



This animal was of a kind, in the manifestation of the disease, very 

 apt to mislead the -laity and become a fruitful source of contagion. 



In conclusion, I beg to call attention to the importance of existing 

 statutes regarding contagious diseases, and to a need of more general 

 dissemination of knowledge concerning the nature of contagious and 

 infectious diseases. To inform the people in this regard, and more 

 especially as to the extreme subtlety of the poison of such diseases, is 

 to greatly aid in the work of their extermination. 



F, E. RICE, M. R. b. V. S. 



