Report on Steppe Murrain or Rinderpest. 267 



gregatinc^ of people together, and remove those in Jiicemi'uts Avliich might cause 

 persons to come from infected farms. 



" On the occurrence of iUness among cattle from otlier canses as well as 

 the pest, the Commissioners do not as a rule approach the animals, but 

 standing at a distance, and within sight of them, they arrive at a decision 

 as to the nature of the ailment, frequently ordering some food to be offered 

 as a test of their freedom or otherwise from the malady. In those 

 instances where the Commissioners enter the stable, they are compelled, 

 before leaving, to wash their hands, &c., with vinegar, and have their 

 clothes fumigated with chlorine gas. AH dogs, cats, rabbits, domestic poultry, 

 pigeons, &c., have to be kept in places of security and close confinement. 

 If the disease exists in a village through which a high road runs, the course 

 of the road is turned if possible ; but when this is not practicalile, then a guard 

 accomjianies the several travellers \A\o arrive at the boundaries of the cordon, 

 to see that they do not go upon any infected premises. The cordon is fre- 

 quently maintained by the peasants, but none are taken for this purpose from 

 an infected village, the selection being made from contiguous villages or farms 

 where the cattle are healthy. 



'* As soon as the malady is observed in a commune, notices are sent to all the 

 surrounding places that precautionary measures may be immediately adopted 

 by the owners of cattle. Each commune has to provide a place for the burial 

 of the animals wiiich die or are slaughtered, and also a Avaggon and horses 

 to carry them ujion ; and on the disease passing away, the waggon is burnt 

 and the horses are washed with a solution of chlorinated lime. The place of 

 interment is likewise enclosed, and not allowed to be disturbed for several 

 years. 



" On an inspection of supposed cases, the animals which give indications 

 of the malady by spasmodic twitchings of the muscles are ordered by the 

 Commissioners to be taken to the burial-ground, where they are killed and 

 interred with their skins on, these being cut in the usual manner. Occa- 

 sionally a special order of the government permits the removal of 

 the skins, which are then to be subjected to a disinfecting process, under 

 tJie immediate superintendence of the Commissioners. If but a few cases 

 occur in a large herd of cattle, the Commissioners have the power to suspend 

 the slaughtering of the exposed animals for a few days, in order to watch the 

 result; such animals have a value put upon them, which is paid by the 

 government. Should no animal fall ill within twenty days from the death or 

 slaughtering of the last case, then the quarantine is raised; but the cattle 

 which have been lilierated are not allowed to go near to others rmtil they 

 have been washed with a solution of chlorinated lime. On the discharge of 

 the animals the quarantine station is razed and burnt. The Commissioners 

 have to report day by day eveiy occurrence to the Government, and to give 

 the fullest particulars, even to the names of the persons employed at the 

 cordon, and the age, colour, sex, &:c., of the cattle in the quarantine. The 

 hay on a farm at the time the pest occurred is n<jt allowed to be used for 

 cattle, but must be consmued by horses and sheep." 



Such are the regulations existing in Bavaria ; in substance 

 they agree with others which have been previously given, but 

 nevertheless we are of opinion that they should find a place in 

 this Report, as several of the details are singularly minute in 

 providing against an extension of the evil. A great difficulty 

 must evidently belong to the carrying" out of the requirement 

 respecting the consumption of the hay, and more particularly if 

 the malady should break out in the autumnal period of the year, 



