20b' CONTAGIOUS DISEASES OF DOMESTICATED ANIMALS. 



law of liberal iiulemuity and pnuislnneiit combined has proven most 

 satisfactory ; it leads to the prompt declaration of any outbreak of dis- 

 ease, and allows the Government to exert active measures at the outset. 

 In addition to these rigid measures, the precautions taken on all means 

 of transport for their proper disinfection are thorough, not only in the 

 law but in jiractice. Railway cars which have served for the transjiort 

 of any of the domestic animals are immediately disinfected. The large 

 railroad yards are provided with special tracks at the side of a building 

 containing boilers for an unlimited supply of hot water. After the car 

 is swept it IS washed from a hose with water as hot as can be handled; 

 after another sweeping the interior of the car is washed with water 

 heated to 70° C, with soda added. This most satisfactory means of 

 disinfection is carried out at an expense of only two marks (50 cents) a 

 car, and is paid b^' adding that amount to the freight bill. 



The slaughter of all contaminated animals, whether executed as a 

 measure of sanitary i)olice or for food, is done under the supervision of 

 a res])onsible \eterinary inspector, and so all attempts to evade the law 

 for a little additional gain are avoided. 



It is greatly to be regretted that Americans could not have been en- 

 abled to exhibit their agricultural i)roducts, especially animals, at Ham- 

 burg, that they might have shown the great resources of the United 

 States, and, what is more important, the facility with which these re- 

 sources can be placed at the disi)osal of the European market, as this is 

 as yet little api)reciated outside of England. The cavalry horse and 

 the beef cattle are now the two articles which offer a favorable and 

 profitable field for export, but it will be but a very few years before the 

 heavy draft horse can be added to the list. For the establishment of 

 an active and paying commerce, however, the European Governments 

 will demand a greater security and guarantee of the health of the ani- 

 mals ship[)ed to them than now exists. The necessary- encouragement 

 for the education of a sufficient number of men to carry out the State 

 laws and the work of the Government in regard to the diseases of our 

 animals will aid very nmterially not only iu our own protection, but in 

 the advancement of our cattle trade with Europe. 

 Very respectfully, 



liilSH SHIPPEN HUIDEKOPER, M. D., 



Honorary Co mm issio ner. 



Hon. George B. Loring, 



Commissioner of Agriculture. 



