32 



THE LUNG PLAGUE OF CATTLE. 



The following table illustrates this truth, in showing the great increase 

 of breeding (thoroughbred) animals imported, though the particular 

 number of cattle is not named : 



Statement showing the number and value of dutiable cattle and of free ani- 

 mals for breeding purposes, imported and entered for consumption in the 

 United States during the fiscal years ended June 30, /row 1872 to 1881, 

 inclusive : 



JOSEPH NIMMO, JR., 



Chief of Bureau. 

 TREASURY DEPARTMENT, 



Bureau of Statistics, January 3, 1882. 



THE NATURAL INCREASE OF THOROUGHBRED CATTLE INCREASES 



OUR DANGER. 



The natural increase in our home herds of thoroughbred cattle is an 

 element of even greater danger than is the increase of imports. The 

 imported stock are now subjected to a three months' quarantine, and if 

 this is accompanied by a most rigid and frequent examination of each ani- 

 mal the danger of the introduction of chronic cases is reduced to a min- 

 imum. But from our home thoroughbred herds, many of which are in 

 the near vicinity of infected areas, stock can be sent west without any 

 hinderance, and with every such shipment there is the danger of the con- 

 veyance of disease. This disease may come from the herd itself, from 

 fodder, or litter furnished for the journey, from infected cars, or from in- 

 fected yards or buildings, in which the cattle are temporarily placed. 



That thoroughbred herds within the infected areas are frequently at- 

 tacked is a notorious fact. Mr. Chenery's herd at Belmont, Mass., is a 

 casein point; Mr. Kichardson's, of New Jersey, is a second; Dr. Bath- 

 gate's, of New York City, is a third, all referred to above ; we might add 

 a herd of Ayrshires on Staten Island, six years ago ; two herds of Jerseys, 

 in New Jersey in 1876 and 1877; Mr. Watrous's herd at Perth Am- 

 boy, N. J., in 1879, and Mr. J. A. Hayt's herd at Paterson, N. Y., 

 in 1881. One of these New Jersey herds left home sound, and re- 

 turned infected from a public exhibition; a second (Mr. Watrous's) was 

 apparently infected by an animal purchased at a public sale, while Mr. 

 Hayt's received the infection through fresh purchases made in New 

 Jersey and in the vicinity of Baltimore, Md. It is quite true that herd- 

 book animals are less likely te be exposed to diseases than common 



