SECRETARY'S Rm^ORT. 15 



never heard of before, and there it died ; sinccvwliicli time it 

 has not ceased to prevail there witli more or less intensity. 



A cow, sick with a very painful disease, was offered to us for 

 examination, and on killing and opening her there were devel- 

 oped precisely the same appearances as witnessed in tliose cattle 

 killed by order of the commissioners in Massachusetts. 



In New Jersey, as in New York, the commissioners had an 

 opportunity for examining the lungs of diseased cattle, and with 

 the same result. Tiiey also succeeded in tracing the disease in 

 all cases to Philadelphia, to which place, according to general 

 belief, it was brought by cattle from Holland. 



Tlie commissioners feel that they have so managed this sub- 

 ject as to allay the apprehensions of our farmers, and yet they 

 desire to state, that exemption from this great evil can only be 

 purchased by eternal vigilance. We have little fear of it from 

 Brooklyn or New Jersey, but there is danger of its approach by 

 the way of Albany, N. Y., and we should recommend as a matter 

 of common prudence that some commission be kept in existence 

 ready to meet the malady at its first approach. 



If New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania would adopt 

 similar measures to those in tiiis State, it would be one of the 

 most effective modes of securing the whole community against 

 this disease, which, if allowed to prevail, would endanger all 

 the neat stock in the country, and greatly deteriorate the most 

 substantial food of the people. One pertinent fact may be stated 

 here, viz. : that a single cow imported into Australia with this 

 disease sliut up in'her lungs, has imparted the same, by compu- 

 tation, to no less than 100,000 cattle. 



In conclusion the commissioners are satisfied, 



1st. That this disease has never been generated in this 

 country from local causes. 



2d. That it is altogether an imported disease. 



3d. That in general it is communicated by contact of 

 breath. 



4th. That it cannot be eradicated by treatment. 



5th. 'That those cattle which apparently recover are the 

 most dangerous, as they are liable at any time to come down 

 with the disease a second time. 



tith. That by care it may be prevented from extending 

 from one herd to another. 



