174 THE DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 



It is well known to all competent authority, and it was in evi- 

 dence before the legislative committee, to whom the matter of a 

 statute was referred, that the most dangerous are the most obscure 

 cases, and, inasmuch as the general condition of an animal under 

 those circumstances is not such as to render him unfit for labor, it 

 is not reached by the particular statute (chapter 344, acts of 1869) 

 our society seeks to enforce ; yet, on the other hand, the presence 

 of such an animal in a public place is dangerous, and in such cases 

 we make it our duty to at once bring the matter to the attention of 

 the health boards. 



We feel the subject to be all-important, and trust we have been 

 instrumental in securing a measure of protection both to animals 

 and their owners. 



Yery respectfully yours, 



Charles A. Curriee, 



Special Agent of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention 

 of Cruelty to Animals. 



I have made exertions to get reliable information from other 

 quarters, but only received the two following letters in reply, for 

 which I desire to publicly thank the authors. 



My friend and colleague, Dr. Liautard, of the American Veteri- 

 nary College in New York city, writes : 



" You ask me for a letter with regard to the extension of 

 glanders in New York city and State. With reference to the lat- 

 ter, I have but little to say, as my exj)erience is entirely limited to 

 the city of New York. 



" From my connection with the city Board of Health, and the 

 American Veterinary College, I have been enabled to observe, to 

 no inconsiderable degree, the extent to which this disease prevails 

 in our metropolis. Although it has found a powerful enemy in 

 the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, I am well 

 satisfied that it exists in our private and public stables, and can be 

 seen traveling upon our streets every day in the year. 



" In connection with my duties at the college, I have had occa- 

 sion to condemn quite a number of horses brought to our free 

 clinics. In 1876 I condemned 40 horses ; in 1877, 49 ; in 1878, 62 ; 

 and from January 1 to March 1, 1879, 49. This does not include 

 animals found by me in my private practice. 



" But the most important of all my observations with regard to 

 glanders, the one which has no equal in all my experience, is that 

 of the summer of 1877. I was at that time requested by the Board 



