FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE. 9 



them in inclosures which have been trodden by the diseased. 

 The contagious character of the disease, and the very short time 

 it requires for incubation, caused its wide dissemination through 

 the counties of Worcester, Middlesex, Essex, Norfolk, Bristol, 

 Hampshire and perhaps others, before the Commissioners or the 

 people were aware of its nature and consequences, or hardly of 

 its existence. It broke out almost simultaneously in a score of 

 places, and though the governor, on receiving information of its 

 existence, promptly appointed Dr. E. F. Thayer to the vacancy 

 then existing on the Commission, which was promptly called 

 together, yet the investigations which were absolutely necessary 

 to ascertain the origin and nature of the disease, and the manner 

 in which it was being spread through the community, neces- 

 sarily consumed some days, and delayed that prompt action for 

 its arrest and eradication which was desirable. 



It was ascertained beyond a doubt that Brighton was the focus 

 of the disease, the point from which it took its departure for the 

 yards and herds of the eastern part of the State. It was found 

 that perfectly healthy animals driven through the yards of 

 Brighton to their places of destination on distant farms developed 

 the disease in periods varying from two to five days, and com- 

 municated it at once to all the cattle with which they came in 

 contact. We learned that the disease as developed here was 

 not fatal, that its great damage was in the loss of flesh and milk, 

 the trouble and expense attending the doctoring of the sick and 

 the injurious effect which might result, if milk, butter or beef 

 from the contaminated animals should find its way to our mar- 

 kets ; that it was extremely difficult to kill the virus or eradi- 

 cate it from the buildings or grounds contaminated by it, and 

 that it was very liable to break out afresh and with all its 

 malignity at any time in the future. In view of all these facts 

 the Commissioners deemed it their duty to interdict the driving 

 of all working cattle, cows and store cattle to and from Brighton, 

 Cambridge and Medford ; allowing only such healthy cattle to 

 be handled there as are intended for immediate slaughter. If 

 it is found that this last class of cattle convey the disease to the 

 towns where they are driven to supply the local beef markets, 

 we shall forbid their passage, and those markets must be sup- 

 plied for a short time with dressed beef obtained from Brighton 

 or the West. At the same time a circular was sent to the mayor 



