‘ REPORT. ix 
animals, which afterwards spread the disease in Great Britain, come from absolutely 
healthy farms in Ireland. There is, therefore, no doubt in our minds but that they 
contract the disease whilst passing through the infected ports and from contact with 
diseased animals on board the steamers. 
20. Many of the Scotch witnesses have complained of the laxity and carelessness of 
the inspection of cattle at the ports of embarkation in Ireland. It is quite certain 
that, not unfrequently, diseased animals do, pass the portal inspectors, but we are not 
disposed to attribute this entirely 'to incapacity or neglect. From the nature of the 
case, the number of animals awaiting embarkation in a confined space is so large, and 
the time at the disposal of the inspectors so short, that it is impossible to expect 
the detection of all cases of disease, especially of pleuro-pneumonia, which is in its 
early stages so difficult of diagnosis. We find, however, that animals which have 
been in the same herd or cargo with animals stopped as diseased have been permitted 
by the inspectors to leave the ports, presumably through ignorance on their part of 
the extent of the powers vested in them. We therefore recommend increased vigilance 
and the detention of cattle in contact with the diseased animals at the ports of em- 
barkation. 
_ 21. It is therefore plain to us that, if our efforts to stamp out the disease in the 
United Kingdom are to be successful, it is absolutely necessary to attack it at the 
fountain head, and, whilst crushing every new outbreak in the United Kingdom, to 
devote our strongest energies to exterminate the disease in Ireland. 
22. Having thus briefly laid before your Lordship a history of pleuro-pneumonia, so 
far as it has be brought before us, and of the extent to which it at present prevails 
in the United Kingdom, it now becomes our duty to describe the symptoms and 
nature of the disease, and also refer to the forms of treatment suggested by the 
witnesses whom we have examined. 
Nature and Treatment. 
23. Pleuro-pneumonia is a specific contagious disease affecting the lungs of cattle. 
Inspection at 
Irish ports. 
Q. 4131, 
6238. 
Q. 8375-7, 
8406-11. 
Q. 8399- 
8400. 
Q. 8491. 
Q. 1413-16. 
Q. 2071-72, 
8391-2. 
It is characterised by the following symptoms as given in the Handbook of Contagious - 
Diseases (Animals) Act and Order of Council for 1887. ‘The internal temperature is 
“ always increased, even in the earliest stages of the disease; it may reach 104° or 105° 
“ Fahrenheit. A short, dry, husky cough, which continues throughout and is easily 
excited by moving the animal, is one of the earliest symptoms. The breathing is 
‘“* increased in frequency and altered in character, is often accompanied with a grunt, 
«© and becomes painful as the disease advances. A dull sound is emitted on percussing 
“ the side of the chest over the diseased lung. Firm pressure applied to this part 
** will cause the animal to shrink. The appetite is generally diminished, but rarely 
“ lost except in the advanced stages of the disease. In milch cows the secretion of 
* milk is always lessened but not completely stopped.” 
24. The post-mortem appearances of the lungs of an animal ‘affected with pleuro- 
pneumonia which has died or been slaughtered are of so marked and distinctive a 
character that they ought never to be mistaken for other affections of the lung. The 
one special and peculiar feature is that when a cut is made through the diseased 
portion of the lung white bands are to be seen crossing and intersecting the darker 
structure, and presenting an appearance which is most aptly termed “ marbling,” and 
it may be accepted as a fact that no case of pleuro-pneumonia ever existed in which 
this characteristic feature was absent. - 
25. There may or may not be pleurisy also present. Pleurisy is indicated by the 
presence of exudation on the outside of the lung or on the wall of the chest. This 
lesion is usually confined to that portion of the pleura which covers the diseased 
part of the lung, and is frequently very limited in its area. In aggravated cases, 
where there is extensive disease of the pleura, there is also effusion of fluid into the 
cavity of the chest. 
26. Amongst the witnesses examined with reference to pleuro-pneumonia, there was 
a remarkable agreement upon the following points :— 
(a.) That pleuro-pneumonia is an imported disease, and not indigenous to this 
country. 
(b.) That it is an incurable disease, and therefore requires that the treatment should 
_ be of a preventive and not of a curative nature. 
(c.) That disease is communicable by contact between living animals, and through 
the medium of the respiratory organs only.* 
* A few of the witnesses expressed their belief that the disease might be conveyed by the infection of byres 
or sheds, but we could not obtain any actual facts to support this belief. 
o 54008. b 
Symptoms. 
Post-mortem 
appearance 
of pleuro- 
pneumonia. 
Pleurisy. 
Evidence. 
Q. 6776-7, 
4956, 5667, 
7196, 7775. 
Q. 5404, 8981. 
Q. 4077-9, 
4207, 4327, 
7484, 4206, 
4399, 7482, 
4653, 4957-8, 
5488, 5671-2, 
6509. 
