SECRETARY'S REPORT. 93 



weight was as follows: No. 1, 312 pounds; No. 2, 315 pounds; 

 No. 3, 340 pounds; No. 4, 3G2 pounds. Total, 1,329 pounds. 



Mr. Garfield, of Lee. — I think the question is not well settled 

 whether the foot-ail is contagious. I had one herd of eight 

 cows, seven of which were affected with it, while the eighth had 

 no appearance of it. These animals were kept in a pasture near 

 other cattle, with nothing but a rail fence to separate them, but 

 the disease did not spread. I have been led to the conclusion 

 that it was not contagious, that it was some local poison. I 

 wish we could better understand that question. 



Mr. Hubbard. — I think I am one of the most favored ones of 

 this Board. Among my own cattle I never had a case of the 

 foot-ail. I don't think it would be best for me to give any of 

 the remedies recommended here, for fear my cattle may have 

 the disease. I think that for a caked bag the application of hot 

 water and thorough ruljbing is as good as anything. 



Mr. Smith, of Sunderland. — I Avould like to inquire whether 

 any of the Board are acquainted with rheumatism in cattle ? I 

 had a high grade heifer and a good milker, taken with stiffness 

 in the hind parts, but had nothing of the " fouls." She was 

 finally so much affected that she could scarcely get up. She 

 grew thin and fell off in milk. She lay on a plank floor and 

 I removed her to a stable that had no floor, and gave her 

 sufficient bedding ; apd while there she rapidly improved. 

 After she got better I put her back into the other stable, and the 

 difficulty came on again. She did well so long as I kept her in 

 a stable without a floor. She came in in April. The disease 

 came on in the beginning of summer. 



Mr. Davis, of Northborough. — I have had occasion to observe 

 contagious diseases for a few years. The soreness of eyes which 

 persons have in public institutions, sometimes is occasioned by 

 the filth in which the men and women live, and their low con- 

 dition. If they wash, aad wipe on the same towel, they spread 

 the disease. A person in good health, who does not do that, 

 never has the disease, though he may be among them. We 

 often meet people on the streets here that have sore eyes. If 

 you stop them and put your finger in their eyes and then in 

 your own, you will be likely to have the disease. This foot-rot 

 is something of the same sort. Take cattle that have been kept 



