6 BOARD OP AGRICULTURE. 



It is now confidently believed that the disease commonly 

 known as pleuro-pneumonia has been completely eradicated ; 

 and it is a subject for congratulation that the efficient elTorts on 

 the part of the Commonwealth have been attended with success, 

 so far as we can judge at the present time. The recent expe- 

 rience in Great Britain in the treatment of this disease, as well 

 as of the cattle plague — both dangerous contagious diseases — 

 has been sufficient to satisfy every candid, thinking mind in our 

 own State that our efforts and expenditures to purchase immu- 

 nity were well-timed and judicious. The Commissioners now 

 tender their resignation, and the following is understood to be 

 their 



FINAL REPORT. 

 To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commomoealth of 



Massachusetts: 



The Board of Commissioners on Contagious Diseases among 

 Cattle, which has been continued in accordance witli the wish 

 of His Excellency the Governor during the year past, the object 

 being to guard against the introduction of the cattle plague, 

 (rinderpest,) which has caused so much loss in Great Britain 

 during the past three years, or the possible breaking out and 

 spread of the disease called " pleuro-pneumonia," which has 

 heretofore prevailed to an alarming extent in this Common- 

 wealth, congratulate the people upon the exemption from the 

 former, and the probable extinction of the latter, from our 

 herds. 



From the latest reports it appears, through the energetic 

 action of the English government the rinderpest is nearly 

 " stamped out ; " consequently the fear that it would be brought 

 to this country is lessened. Should, however, the calamity 

 occur, it is to be hoped that the same rigorous measures adopted 

 by Massachusetts to extirpate pleuro-pneumonia, and Great 

 Britain the rinderpest, would be executed without delay. 

 These measures, together with the restriction placed upon the 

 importation of cattle by our government, have so far protected 

 us against the rinderpest. The active and timely exertions 

 made in our Commonwealth have saved our herds from the 

 devastation which was so seriously threatened by the pleuro- 

 pneumonia, so that by the expenditure of a very small propor- 

 ..tion of the appropriations made in 1864 and 1866, we have now 



