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_ The existence of this contagious disease in such important cattle centers ¢ 
_ States is a danger so setae to the cattle interests of the United States 1 
calls for the most prompt, thorough, and energetic measures that can be ta 
nly by the National Government, but also by all parties interested in the p 
ion of the great cattle industry of the country. ” pr 
_ No persons or class of persons are more interested in the safety and growth of 
industry than transportation companies, who derive a very large proportion of th 
earnings from the shipment of cattle and their products, and none should be moi 
 - active and energetic in enforcing such measures as are necessary to stamp out 
_. disease and prevent its possible spread. a F Ae 
‘The insidious character of this disease, its easy and imperceptible propagation by — 
contact with animals having the germstof disease and giving no outward symptoms — 
__ of its presence, the contraction of the plague from infected cars, the spreading of the 
~ germs by means of-manure carried in uncleansed cars from place to place, all make it 
~~ a matter of grave concern, and render it necessary that stringent neasures should be __ 
adopted to protect the cattle interests of the country from this great evil. esa 
_. Thave, therefore, to suggest and to request that all transportation companies shall. _ 
establish on their respective tines a rule, and see that it is rigidly enforced, that : L = 
ears that have carried live stock shall be thoroughly cleansed on the discharging of - 
their freight, and not allowed to leave the freight or stock yards before this is done, — 
Cag 
Also that the said cars shali be carefully disinfected in the followimg manner: — * L 
‘\ (8) Saturate the walls and floors with a solution made by dissolving 4 ounces of | 
~ ghloride of lime to each gallon of water. Siock-yards and pens should be cleansed = © 
- and disinfected at least once a week. eats 
_. + Transportation companies having connections with infected districts s ould re- — a 
_. - quire parties offering cattle for shipment to present, at point of loading, affidavits 
| ef the owner and two disinterested persons, stating that the cattle to be shipped 
have been known io affiants for at least six months next preceding, and that the =~ 
_- said cattle have not been in any of said districts and have not come in contact with _ Bt 
tie ~ ‘any cattle from said districts. Said affidavits should be attached to and accompany = 
se ~ : . PME SC ce 
-... As several very extensive outbreaks of pleuro-pneumonia have recently been 
>! 
_ they would be a material safeguard against the spread of this disease. 
_._. Railroad companies can be of the greatest assistance to the Bureau of Animal In- — 
dustry in its work of extirpating pleuro-pneumonia, if they will co-operate with it _ 
Pee and assist in maintaining the rules and regulations prescribed by me on Aprillj, 
ee 1887, and the quarantine orders since made. Ce a ate 
K i I hope this support and assistance will be cordially given. 
zy Very respectfully, , 
pas Norman J. COLMAN, Se 
hy Peneesian Commissioner of Agriculture. _ ae 
p>? rae. 
rs, pred ; INVESTIGATION OF REPORTED DISEASES, : ; 
DA . 42 To 
Xe. A great number of investigations have been made during the — 
‘year to determine the nature of diseases supposed to be contagious. © 
Se Special attention has been given to outbreaks ot disease among cattle A 
x ' in which the symptoms at all resembled those of pleuro-pneumonia. 
*. While requests for such investigation have been more numerous, 
_. . from the States where lung plague is known to exist, they have by ~ 
no means been confined to such. sections, but have come from all 7 
parts of the country. It is hoped by such inquiries that the Depart- 
‘ment may receive early information of any fresh outbreaks of pleuro- 
pneumonia which occur, and in case of other maladies may be able’ 
- to give directions of value for the treatment and prevention. It has 
been discovered by these investigations that there. are a number of — 
diseases affecting the live stock of the country which have been ~ 
hitherto undescribed, or about which but little is known, Such dis ~ 
eases are taken up and studied from a scientific standpoint when- ie f 
ever an opportunity is offered. “(ae 
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