237 



tliircis of the former experimented upon were infected, and more than one-third 

 of the whole nnmber died. 



Of 466 cattle vaccinated by Veterinary Surgeon Kobuscheff at Salmysche, 

 partly under supervision of Professors Jessen and Roynoff, from October 1, 

 1860, to July 5, 1863, 379 were infected, and 148 died. Thus about SO per 

 cent, of all took the infection, and more than 30 per cent. died. 



In the experiments of the commissioners in 1863 are a few noteworthy features. 

 In the fifth experiment, four animals that had been vaccinated without effect 

 were left to take the contagion naturally ; all became diseased, and three died. 

 In another instance, several animals mildly affected by a former vaccination 

 were vaccinated with fresh matter Avithout effect. Again, in several cases, ani- 

 mals that had once had the disease were exposed to contagion with impunity. 



Ten sheep were exposed to contagion, and five were vaccinated without effect, 

 and they encountered subsequent exposure unharmed. 



It will be seen that in one location, and that in which the greater number of 

 fatal cases occurs, ten sheep were entirely unaffected, while at the other station 

 two were vaccinated successfully and matter of extraordinary potency obtained 

 for further experiments upon cattle. 



CONCLUSIONS. 



These results, more voluminous in the official documents, have been translated 

 in the department, and a brief synopsis is here given, in the hope that some in- 

 sight into this mysterious disease may be gained. 



The following is a translation from the journal of tlie committee of their con- 

 clusions upon certain points, in view of the results of their experiments : 



1. Is the rinderpest similar to the abdominal typhus of a human being, and 

 to what degree? 



The rinderpest must be considered as a contagious typhus, sui generis, as well 

 in its clinical as anatomical pathological appearance, and is very similar to the 

 abdominal typhus of a human being, but different from the same by its rapid 

 course and the constant complication of catarrh in all the mucous membranes. 



2. Is there any evidence that the rinderpest has its origin only or principally 

 in the steppe countries of Russia, and that it was transferred thence to the 

 other provinces of the country ? 



The rinderpest was brought from the steppe countries, but the place of its 

 origin is not yet known. Therefore there is no positive evidence on hand to 

 decide this question. 



3. Are there any localities in Russia where the rinderpest began spontaneously ? 

 Considering the reports on hand, there are places in the northern part of 



Russia where the rinderpest was developed by itself, but this assertion is diffi- 

 cult to prove, because no scientific examination has been made in these places 

 concerning this question. 



4. Is the rinderpest only contagious by direct contact with the infected animal 

 or through miasmatic propagation ? 



The rinderpest is contagious as well by direct contact with the sickly or dead 

 animal as by its exhalations. 



5. Is the rinderpest alike contagious in all parts of Russia, and is the mortality 

 the same everywhere ? 



The rinderpest is less contagious in the southern parts of Russia, and less 

 fatal there in comparison with other regions of that country. 



6. Does the season influence the contagion o^the rinderpest? 



The rinderpest is less contagious in summer and winter than in spring and 

 fall. 



7. Are certain breeds of cattle more disposed to rinderpest than others ? 

 Not all breeds are alike disposed to contagion. The experiments at Salmysche 



