SECRETARY'S REPORT- 23 



The symptoms and anatomical appearances of these two 

 forms of tlie disease are in some respects so similar, as to mis- 

 lead a person not familiar with diseases among cattle ; but to 

 one familiar with them, the difference is instantly and easily 

 recognized from an inspection of the lungs alone. To him the 

 difference is clearly marked. 



Thorough and careful experiments have from time to time 

 been undertaken in Europe, to test the nature and character of 

 the contagious form of tliis disease, some of them conducted 

 by men of the highest scientific attainments, under the direc- 

 tion of powerful governments, as for instance, by Dr. Delafond, 

 under the authority of the French government. If I mistake 

 not, he and the scientific commission that acted with him experi- 

 mented with some two or three hundred cows, going tli rough a 

 pretty long series, but I state only from memory, not having 

 their report at hand. No man and no body of men could be 

 found more competent to conduct an elaborate series of experi- 

 ments in a more scientific and thorough manner, than those 

 who composed that commission. They were the most eminent 

 veterinarians and agriculturalists in France, where the science 

 has been carried to a higher degree of perfection than in any 

 other part of the world. There was Magendie, the president, 

 a host in himself. There was Reynal, the accomplished secre- 

 tary ; there was Rayer, the renowned pathologist ; tliere was. 

 Yvart, the inspector-general of imperial veterinary schools ; 

 there was Renault, standing high in his profession ; there was 

 Delafond, the director of Alfort, the first veterinary school in 

 Europe, all men of world-wide reputation, to say nothing of M. 

 Mauny de Mornay, the late Minister of Agriculture, Lassaigne, 

 Baudemont, Doyere, and other eminent practical agriculturists. 

 How can we overlook the labors of these men and deny them 

 the character of complete experiments, or say that no experi- 

 ments have been made upon this disease ? Many other careful 

 researches liave been undertaken by men equally capable. 



At the same time ample opportunities have been afforded, 

 during the last twenty years, for the long and careful observa- 

 tion of intelligent men, and tlie conclusion has been, among 

 those best informed, tliat tlie great practical fact of its conta- 

 gion is too clearly established to admit of doubt. I believe all 

 owners of stock in England consider it safest to act promptly 



