SECRETARY'S REPORT. 7 



the origin of tli(*» outbreak. The dealer, of whom Mr. Childs 

 had purchased cattle, denied having any reason to suspect the 

 existence of the disease in his herd, consequently the markets 

 where the cattle were purchased were visited, and when no 

 traces of the disease could there be found, it was feared that 

 all efforts to control the malady would be fruitless. 



Several weeks elapsed before it became known that other 

 herds were infected, and that many animals had perished from 

 the disease. 



The expenses already incurred having exhausted the appro- 

 priation of $1,000 made by the legislature, report of the fact 

 was made to the executive department, the opinion of the 

 attorney-general of the Commonwealth was taken as to the 

 individual liabilities of the Commissioners, the result of which 

 was the stopping of all further proceedings, and the resignation 

 of the Commissioners. 



To eight herds, in which there was satisfactory evidence that 

 the disease existed, it was ascertained that the infection was 

 communicated by cattle purchased of the dealer before alluded 

 to as having denied the existence of the disease in his herd, 

 and in most cases, the cattle purchased of him, were the first 

 attacked. 



It was estimated by the Commissioners in May last, that the 

 expenditure of -$3,600, in addition to the appropriation of the 

 legislature, would have arrested the disease at that time. 

 Satisfactory evidence is now at hand that it will require -$10,- 

 000 to cover the loss since sustained by State, towns and indi- 

 viduals, in consequence of leaving the disease to take its course. 



In several instances, where the disease has broken out, the 

 owners of cattle have disposed of them without calling upon 

 the authorities for recompense, and if all the cattle that have 

 been exposed to the disease, had been disposed of in such a 

 manner as not to endanger others, doubtless no one would 

 complain. But the character of this disease is so insidious, that 

 it is impossible for owners, or any one else, accurately to deter- 

 mine the existence or non-existence of the malady, and cattle 

 may be disposed of in such a manner as to carry the contagion 

 to many herds; hence the necessity of most stringent measures 

 for arresting the disease at the outset. To accomplish this 

 effectually, there should be in existence an active board of 



