SECRETARY'S REPORT. 91 



The best remedy I had tried fox it was turpentine and salt mixed 

 and turned on. It is very penetrating, and a very convenient 

 remedy to apply. But I have now settled down upon blue 

 vitriol and vinegar. I think that drove the disease from my 

 herd. Muriatic acid I tried once, but it is rather too powerful. 



Mr. Stone, of Sturbridge. — I do not agree that this disease is 

 contagious. I had an ox two years ago that had taken it, and 

 it lasted him two or three months. I applied all these things, 

 and they all failed. I had one heifer that had it and ran with 

 the other cattle, but they did not have it. I have had another 

 case of the same kind, where the animal that had it ran with 

 others, but they did not have it. 



Mr. Chamberlain, of West Brookficld. — I do not consider 

 this disease contagious. I have bought cattle that I knew had 

 it. I kept them with other stock and they did not take the 

 disease. There is a difference in the kinds of foot-ail, you will 

 find. One is called the blind fouls, and commences in the foot. 

 You cannot cure that, but if it is on the outside it can be cured. 



Mr. Perkins. — A friend of mine bought some cattle at 

 Springfield, and he wanted to turn them into my yard. I did 

 not know but they were well. But soon after I found that my 

 cattle were attacked with this disease, and I also learned that his 

 cattle had it. If mine did not take it from those cattle from 

 Springfield, I do not know where they did get it. 



Mr. Smith, of Sunderland, repeated that he believed the dis- 

 ease to be contagious. But while it is so, it is no sign that all 

 cattle that are exposed will have it. We had no trouble with 

 cattle that we kept at the barn year after year. The trouble 

 was with cattle that we bought in. 



Mr. Bull, of Harvard, returned to the consideration of caked 

 bag, and said the man who would apply hot water, and then 

 leave the animal exposed to the cold atmosphere, must be con- 

 sidered devoid of common sense. The bag must be rubbed 

 gently and thoroughly till it is dry. I never would apply any 

 oil until I knew the hot water failed to produce the desired 

 result. If oil is applied, you may perhaps destroy the efifec4 of 

 the hot water. 



Mr. Barnard, of Worcester, repeated that he preferred turkey 

 oil to hot water. He kept his cows in the stable, except when 



