12 



■even suspected that they were the result of disease, but regarded 

 them as au abnormal growth and a curiosity, consequently the fore 

 ■quarters of the carcass were returned to the college and placed on 

 exhibition to the public. The opportunity of seeing the peculiar 

 malformation was improved by many of the people in Amherst and 

 the surrounding towns. Professor Stockbridge now says that as he 

 remembers the appearance of the tubercles it was one of the most 

 marked cases of this form of tuberculosis that he has ever seen.* 



The first reference made in the reports to the existence of tubercu- 

 losis among the cattle is found in that of 187o, in which the farm 

 superintendent says, " The only loss by death was the Devon cow 

 ^' Gem 3d." Her disease so far as symptoms were concerned was a 

 most obscure one, but a post-mortem examination by Professor Clark 

 revealed the fact that her trachea, lungs, liver, pleura and whole 

 thoracic cavity were affected by a morbid growth, apparently of a 

 scirrhous nature. The viscera were removed b}^ Professor Clark for 

 microscopic examination.'* Farther on in the report he again refers 

 to the subject as follows : "In this connection, 1 ma}^ mention that 

 by many cow-doctors the symptoms were referred to horn-ail, and it 

 was only with the greatest difficulty that I prevented the most zealous 

 from boring the suffering creature's horns and stuffing them with 

 cayenne pepper, spirits of turpentine and other soothing preparations." 



Professor Clark in the report of his department for the same year 

 says, "There remains yet to be reported upon the autopsy of the 

 Devon cow which died of a wasting disease last summer." 



In relation to this subject the farm superintendent the following- 

 year, says, "In my report of last year I referred to the case of 'Gem 

 3d (502), a valuable Devon cow-, who was slaughtered after a linger- 

 ing illness ; and whose viscera were found to l)e loaded with tubercu- 

 lous deposit. Her daughter, 'Enid' (9344), and her son 'Arthur' 

 have since given evidence of being affected, and have therefore been 

 slaughtered, and portions of their organs showing the insidious char- 

 a.cter of the disease, have been preserved for the use of the professor 

 and students in veterinary science. This reduced the Devons to 

 three viz : the seven-year old bull ' General Lyon ' (232) and the 

 «ow 'Pixie' (1199) and her calf 'Peri.' These were in no way 

 related to ' Gem,' were perfectly healthy, and excellent specimens 

 of the breed ; but, by vote of the executive committee, I was directed 



♦These facts as recorded have been furnished by the Hon. Levi Stockbridge, 

 then Professor of Ajtriculture :it tlic college. 



