16 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



it thought by Dr. Thayer that she would have died but for the 

 presence of a quantity of masticated grass found in the bronchial 

 tubes. 



This is the only case to wliich we have been called where we 

 were able to trace even a probable connection between the disease 

 found, and any other herd. It is for others to judge how 

 conclusive the evidence in this case is. 



George Nelson, of Lincoln, had a herd of about twelve head, 

 which were isolated by the selectmen, and turned over by them to 

 the care of the Commissioners. Two of the cows had died, and 

 one was sick at the time Dr. Thayer and Mr. Preston first visited 

 the place. By their order the herd was appraised, and kept 

 isolated ; the sick cow was killed, and found to have had pleuro- 

 pneumonia. Dr. Thayer visited the herd several times, and 

 examined it carefully. On the. 29th of June the Board, by his 

 advice, returned to Mr. Nelson all his herd but three cows ; but 

 on a subsequent visit it was decided to take one other cow with 

 these three, and have them slaughtered in Brighton. Three 

 of these cows showed the effects of diseased lungs, the other 

 was perfectly sound ; in one, the lung on one side was nearly 

 wasted, there being not more tli an ^one-third of its proper size 

 left, and that a hard lump adhering firmly to the ribs. I do 

 not hesitate to say that had either of these animals belonged to 

 me, and been fat, I should have used the meat for food, without 

 apprehending any injurious effects therefrom. So I think most 

 of the farmers in this Commonwealth would have done. That 

 they would have fattened readily, all the testimony that has 

 come before us goes to prove ; indeed, much of it is to the effect 

 that cattle after passing the acute stage of the disease, fatten 

 more readily for having had it. 



I deem it proper to take more particular notice of 

 Nelson's herd, because I have so often heard it mentioned 

 as furnishing evidence sufficient to prove that cows affected 

 with pleuro-pneumonia are not worth keeping for milking 

 purposes. The facts in the case are simply these : From 

 the time the Commissioners took possession of Nelson's cows 

 till they were returned to him, and the four cows killed, he took 

 care of them for the State, charging for his trouble and whatever 

 it cost to feed them, on grass, hay, and meal, giving the State 

 credit for what so much of the milk as was deemed fit to sell 



