'45th Congress, ) SENATE. i Ex. Doo. 



2d Session. J ( ^o« 35. 



MESSAGE 



FROJI THE 



PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, 



COMMUNICATING, 



In answer to a Senate resolution of Fehruary 20, 1878, information in rela- 

 tion to the disease irrevailing among swine and other domestic animals. 



Tkbrvxry 23, 1878. — Eead, ordered to lie on the table, and be printed. 



To the Senate of the United States : 



I transmit herewith, for the information of the Senate, the reply of 

 tlie Commissioner of Agriculture to a resolution of the Senate, of the 

 20th instant, " relative to the disease prevailing among swine," &c. 



E. B. HAYES. 



Executive Mansion, February 27, 1878. 



Department of Agrtcitlture, 



Washington^ D. C, Fehruary 26, 1878. 



Sir : In compliance with a resolution of the Senate, adopted on the 

 20th instant, calling upon me for such information as may be in my pos- 

 session relative to the disease i)revailing among swine, commonly known 

 as " hog cholera," with such suggestions as I may deem pertinent in this 

 connection, I have the honor to herewith transmit a large number of 

 letters, from almost every section of the country, relating to this,and 

 the many diseases to which all other classes of domestic animals are 

 subject. For some years past the local press, and especially the agri- 

 cultural journals of the country, have been calling attention to the in- 

 crease of diseases among farm-stock, and the consequent heavy losses 

 annually sustained by our farmers and stock breeders and growers. I 

 regarded the subject as one of such vast importance to the productive 

 industries of our country, as to demand the immediate attention of this 

 department, and early in the month of August last I caused the follow- 

 ing letter to be addressed to each member of the House of Eepresenta- 

 tives : 



Department op Agriculture, 



Washington, D. C, Anyust, 1877. 



Sir : This department is desirous of making a thorough investigation into the causes 

 of the many diseases now, and for some years jtast, prevailing witli such fatal effect 

 among the farm animals of this country. lu order that this work may be facilitated, 

 aud the department put in possession of information that will enable it to form a cor- 

 rect understanding of the extent, nature, and character of these diseases, and of the 

 remedies indicated therefor, I would thank you for the names and post-office address 

 of some of the more prominent stock and poultry breeders aud dealers of your district, 

 and also the address of respectable veterinary surgeons, who have had experience in 



