Report on Steppe Murrain or Rindeiycst. 245 



the restrictive measures, still did not enforce them with its 

 usual rigour ; the result of which was that in a few weeks the 

 malady had extended into several other circles of the kingdom, 

 committing such dreadful ravages, that the Austrian government 

 took alarm, and forthwith sent M. Eckel, Director of the 

 Imperial Veterinary Institute, into Bohemia. He at once found 

 that it was the rinderpest, and recommended the rigorous enforce- 

 ment of the former measures, the result of which was that in 

 six weeks to two months afterwards the malady had entirely 

 disappeared in the kingdom of Bohemia." 



Incubation. — Like small-pox, and many other affections com- 

 mon to man and animals, rinderpest lies dormant for a time 

 after the infection has entered the organism. This period 

 is found to vary in different diseases, and also in the same 

 disease at different times, as well as with animals which belong 

 to different zoological classes. It is influenced by many external 

 circumstances, such as the manner in which the infection is 

 received, the heat of the weather, temperament of the animal, 

 freedom from other diseases, peculiarity of constitution, &c. 

 None of these causes can be said, however, to prevent the 

 outbreak of the malady, although sofhe of them may retard and 

 others facilitate its appearance. During the incubative period 

 the animal gives no indication of ill health, and only does so 

 Avhen the disease is about to declare itself. 



The time that the poison of rinderpest lies dormant is also 

 found to vary ; many animals sickening on the seventh day after 

 exposure, and others not until the thirteenth or fourteenth. 

 Some are said even to pass to the twentieth day before giving 

 evidence of the malady. Such cases are few and may possibly 

 depend on secondary exposure to the infection rather than on so 

 great a variation in the periods of incubation. These secondary 

 exposures are not unfrequently entirely overlooked, and especially 

 with such an affection as the rinderpest, the infecting materials 

 of which can be conveyed by indirect as well as by direct means. 

 It must not be forgotten also that it is a rule or law belonging to 

 this class of maladies, that if an animal passes over the usual 

 period of incubation it is secure against an attack, and in order 

 lo become the victim of tlie affection, it must be a second time 

 exposed to the influence of the morbific matter. Direct and well 

 considered experiments are wanting with regard to the incubation 

 of the pest, and these we had no opportunity of making while 

 on our mission. No doubt, however, should be allowed to remain 

 on a point like this, as on it depends the security to be afforded 

 to every country which is contiguous to the steppes of Russia, 

 Austria, which suffers almost annually from this disease in some 

 parts of her dominions, has an especial interest in the question, 



VOL. XVIII. S 



