366 REPORT OP THE COMMISSIONER OP AGRICULTURE. 



has not lost its susceptibility, but may contract the disease again, 

 though probably in a milder ibrin. 



In order to test the susceptibility of other animals to the contagion, 

 Dr. Detmers inoculated two heifers with the virus of swine plague, and 

 the elevation of temperature and the subsequent jtost-mortem examina- 

 tion would seem to indicate that the disease prevailed, at least in one 

 case (heifer Ko. 2), to a considerable degi-ee of intensity. The autopsy 

 revealed distinctly limit#i (circumscribed) hepatization at several points 

 in both lobes of the lungs, each single patch comprising only a few 

 lobules, but these were distinct and well defined. The most extensive 

 hepatization was found along a larger bronchus in the posterior part of 

 the left lobe. The hepotized parts or patches amounted to about 4 or 

 5 per cent, of the whole pulmonal tissue. The mucous membrane of the 

 bronchise was found to be slightly swelled; a small quantity of seram 

 was found in the pericardium and in the chest, and a few ounces also in 

 the abdominal cavity. The lymphatic glands of the chest, and those 

 belonging to the mesenterium, were enlarged, and some of them, espe- 

 cially the latter, to a considerable extent. The other organs exhibited 

 no abnormal chaoges. The result of this experiment indicates that 

 while cattle are not as susceptible to this plague as swine, yet it maybe 

 transmitted to them, in a mild form, by direct inoculation. 



Many illustrations are given of the manner in which the contagious 

 principle is transmitted from herd to herd and fi*om farm to farm. Be- 

 lieving that the seeds of the disease consist in the haoUli and their germs, 

 as fully described in his former report, Dr. Detmers is of the opinion 

 that these microphytes can be conveyed from one place to another, not 

 only in the morbid products of the disease, such as the tissues, fluids, 

 and excretions of affected and dead animals, but also by adhering to and 

 contaminating inanimate objects, both fluid and solid, and independently 

 of any vehicle, through the air to a distance of a mile if the conditions 

 are favorable, and in the water of running streams. The last mode is 

 one of the most ])rolific sources of infection, as these microphytes propa- 

 gate and multiply in water, especially if it should be contaminated by 

 a mixture of organic matter. After citing many cases in illustration of 

 the various ways in which the contagion is spread, Dr. Detmers is of the 

 opinion that tlie following facts have been established : 



First. The plague is not easily communicated unless the infectious 

 principle is introduced either into the digestive apparatus with the food 

 or with the water for drinking, or dii'ectly into the blood through wounds, 

 sores, scratches, or external lesions. 



Second. That the carcass of an animal that has died of the plague 

 will communicate the disease to healthy swine if eaten before it is thor- 

 oughly putrified. 



Third. That even severe frost is not sufficient to destroy the infectious 

 principle if the same is protected against external influences by some 

 organic substance. Former experiments by Dr. Law also demonstrated 

 this fact. 



Fourth. That the plague is readily and fi^equently communicated to 

 healthy animals by means of the water used for drinkingj especially if 

 the same should be contaminated by the Carcass of an anunal that lias 

 died of the disease, or ])y the excrements, urine, nasal discharges, saliva, 

 &c., of animals afflicted witli the malady. 



Fifth. That in localities where the plague is prevailing, every wound, 

 scratch, or sore on the surface of the body constitutes a port of entry 

 for the infectious principle. 



Sixth. That old straw stacks and other decaying porous bodies may 



