CONTAGIOUS DISEASES OF DOMESTICATED ANIMALS. 455 



In April, General Sterliiig found it necessary to move his headquar- 

 ters to Jersey City, in order to meet the requirements of moving cattle 

 to and from the State of Kew York, from whence the ISTew Jersey dairy- 

 men largely draw their supplies of fresh milch cows. 



Dr. Holcombe was appointed as surgeon-in-chief, and Dr. Corlies desig- 

 nated as inspector of the abattoir at Jersey City. Four other veterina- 

 rians were appointed, and on the 1st of April were commenced regular 

 inspections of the herds in Bergen and Hudson Counties. These coun- 

 ties were quarantined, in order that proper restrictions might be placed 

 upon the movements of cattle in the absence of proper permits. All the 

 ferries and boats on the eastern border engaged in carrying stock into 

 New Jersey were prohibited from landing cattle, unless accompanied 

 with a permit issued by General M. E. Patrick, of the New York State 

 Commission, who had issued similar orders relative to the landing oi 

 stock in New York. Thus the carrying trade between the two States at 

 this important point was effectually controlled. 



From reports received from the western and southwestern portions of 

 the State, General Sterling was convinced that the disease was being 

 imported from Pennsylvania. Therefore, on the second day of August 

 he appointed Mr. J. W. Allen an inspector, gave him written instruc- 

 tions, and dispatched him to Camden for the purpose of consummating 

 arrangements with the different ferries plying between Philadelphia and 

 the different ports of entry lying between Salem and Phillipsburg, 

 for the transportation of cattle from Pennsylvania, and the inspection 

 of the same on their arrival in the State. His efforts were successful, 

 and the ferry companies caused to be erected on the New Jersey side 

 a sufiQcient number of sheds and pens to hold all cattle crossing from 

 Pennsylvania until after a thorough inspection had been made. The 

 officers of the Pennsylvania, New Jersey Central, and other railroads 

 cordially co-operated with the State authorities, and soon all the prin- 

 cipal avenues for the ingress of the disease were effectually closed. 

 General Sterhng closes his brief report as follows : 



■V\Tien we consider the uumber of cattle in this State, and estimate their value, the 

 importance of this subject will be apparent. The number of cattle ia the State on 

 January 1, 1879, was 236,700, valued at |7, 828, 922. With a knowledge of the past 

 history of the disease in this and other countries, and the difficulty of eradicating its 

 as well as legislative enactments and precautionary measures hitherto adopted for it, 

 prevention elsewhere, a grave responsibility will attach to those in power if the dis- 

 ease be allowed to obtain a foothold, destroying our best stock, checking one of the 

 great interests of the State, and entailing losses appalling to contemplate. 



Thejfollowing is a brief summary of the results accomplished during the year : 



The number of cattle found sick v^ith the disease was 572. There were inspected 

 2,663 herds, containing 40,309 head of cattle. 



Many cattle showing symptoms of disease were placed in quarantine and held until 

 the incubative period had passed, being carefully watched during the meantime. 

 When no other symptom than bronchial trouble was manifested the order of quaran- 

 tine was removed. 



The number of cattle found neces.sary to destroy in order to prevent the spread of 

 the disease was 315, at an average coat to the State of $11.85 per head. There are now 

 in quarantine 99 herds, containing 865 head of cattle, of which number 257 head have 

 been condemned as suffering with contagious pleuro-paeumonia. The total expenses 

 of the commisaion will aggregate about fl9,0Q0. 



