VALUE OF VETERINARY SCIENCE. 219 



distance from the place of landing, and the cattle being taken 

 to them might convey disease to other animals en route; 

 still, in case of an outbreak of a contagious disorder, it could 

 be limited to a circumscribed area. This was well illus- 

 trated in 1882, when some cattle landed at Portland, Maine, 

 were attacked with foot and mouth disease, after reaching the 

 quarantine station. They were driven there over the public 

 highway, a distance of about three miles. A yoke of oxen 

 soon after passing over the same road contracted the ailment, 

 and conveyed it to several farmers' herds in the vicinity ; 

 but the trouble was soon ended by the Maine authorities 

 quarantining the infected herds and disinfecting the prem- 

 ises after the cattle recovered. 



The Treasury Cattle Commission issued a very good 

 report on contagious pleuro-pneumonia in 1882. This com- 

 mission consisted of Dr. E. F. Thayer, Prof. James Law and 

 Mr. J. H. Sanders of Chicago, and accomplished some very 

 good work. 



Before the establishment of the Bureau of Animal Indus- 

 try, the Department of Agriculture had employed veterina- 

 rians from time to time to investigate and report on contagious 

 animal diseases. 



Having spoken of the value placed upon veterinary science 

 by the General Government, let us see how different States 

 and Territories have recognized its usefulness. The appoint- 

 ment of State veterinarians by various States and Territories 

 dates back but a few years, the continual increase of their 

 herds in numbers and value, and the greater danger from con- 

 tagious animal disorders each year, demanding it. 



Wyoming was the first to have its governor appoint a 

 Territorial veterinarian. Dr. J. D. Hopkins of New York 

 was given the position in 1882, and has occupied it ever 

 since. That his services have been appreciated by the 

 people is amply proved by the fact that his salary, at first 

 $2,500 a year, was doubled two or three years later. That 

 is, he is worth as much to the State out there as a governor 

 is to Massachusetts. 



Wyoming's example has been followed by a number of 

 her sister States and Territories, until many of them have 

 veterinarians, and some employ two or three. 



