A NATIONAL VETERINARY POLICE SYSTEM. 373 



look elsewhere for a more substantial means of eradicating the 

 disease. 



Careful investigations recently prosecuted from this office in- 

 duce us to fully coincide in the above view of the subject. 



In this month's issue of the " Veterinary Journal," Mr. George 

 Fleming, in an editorial article, takes strong ground in favor of the 

 treatment which he bases upon the result of experiments conducted 

 at Edinburgh, Scotland, by a Mr. Rutherford, recently from Aus- 

 tralia. He also claims advantages following its application there, 

 which are at variance with the true facts in the case. We have 

 made some effort to obtain information as to how it is received 

 there, and find it is looked upon with a good deal of disfavor. 



"We also know that, notwithstanding it has been practiced for a 

 number of years, the country is still overrun by the malady. Sup- 

 pose its introduction did confer immunity, we believe it would still, 

 owing to its cost, be impracticable. We have in this State 236,000 

 head of cattle, all of which it would be absolutely necessary to in- 

 oculate to use this method, and when we consider the time required 

 to reach the herd, and consumed in introducing the virus, with the 

 cost of the necessarily diseased animals which have to be destroyed 

 in order to obtain a supply of virus, we may safely compute it at 

 fifty cents per head, establishing a first cost, to either the State or 

 the individual farmer, of not less than $118,000 ; besides, it would 

 be necessary for the first few years to treat the offspring of that 

 immense number of stock, entailing an increased expense. 



Other Diseases. — Many reported cases, in young stock, upon in- 

 vestigation, prove to be the result of the presence in the bronchial 

 tubes of the parasite Strongulus filarial, species Micruris. In 

 some localities it exists to an alarming extent, causing a severe mor- 

 tality. 



Its symptoms being similar to pleuro-pneumonia, it is usually 

 mistaken by the farmers for that disease. It readily yields to scien- 

 tific treatment ; but, owing to the immense loss it entails, should 

 receive legislative consideration. Hog-cholera, likewise, exists in 

 the southern part of the State, and is creating a good deal of alarm, 

 but, not coming within the provisions of the act under which we 

 are working, has received but little attention. It is a subject that 

 also calls for legislative action. 



New Facts. — That we meet forms of pleuro-pneumonia varying 

 in degrees of virulence is beyond question, and to that fact may be 

 attributed the difference of opinion in regard to the efficacy of in- 

 oculation. When, as frequently found, the malady will run through 



