THE TEXAS CATTLE DISEASE. 7 



at once to the most stringent measures the law would allow, to 

 prevent the introduction of such diseased cattle into the State, 

 and thus to protect our home stock from the supposed conta- 

 gion, and our markets from the sale of unwholesome beef. 

 Accordingl}', on the 14th of August, instructions were issued to 

 the town authorities of West Stockbridge, Williamstown, North- 

 field and Winchendon, the points where the railroads that would 

 be likely to transport such cattle enter the State, directing them 

 to use all legal means to prevent the passage of all diseased 

 cattle over the State line, to examine all cattle trains, and to 

 remove all diseased cattle, and put them into quarantine. Let- 

 ters were also sent to the selectmen of Brighton and Cambridge, 

 warning them of the danger, and asking their co-operation, to 

 protect their cattle-yards and markets from the impending 

 plague. The selectmen of the different towns acted promptly 

 in the matter, and in unison with the managers of the different 

 railroads. The selectmen of Brighton, especially, exercised 

 their powers and discharged their duty with most commendable 

 promptness and efficiency. On the 18th of August, they pub- 

 lished a series of regulations, which proved effectual in keeping 

 the disease from their neighborhood. As Albany was the prin- 

 cipal source from which their market was supplied with stock, 

 it was the chief point of danger. Two agents were therefore 

 appointed, " to proceed forthwith to Albany, and there examine, 

 and make all possible inquiry in regard to all the cattle about 

 to be shipped to Brighton." Tliose agents proceeded to Albany, 

 and perfected such arrangements that the agents of the Boston 

 and Albany Railroad Corporation would receive no cattle on 

 their trains but such as had been examined by the Brighton 

 agents, pronounced healthy, and whose owner had a written 

 permit from these agents for their shipment. Other regulations 

 were provided, by which no cattle which had been transported 

 from beyond the State line, should be unloaded or received into 

 the cattle-yards of Brighton, until they had been examined by 

 a board of examiners appointed for that purpose, and pro- 

 nounced free of disease. No cattle were allowed to be slaugh- 

 tered after six o'clock, P. M. All butchers were required to 

 preserve the liver, spleen and bladder of the beeves they slaugh- 

 tered, and were not allowed to sell their beef until those organs 

 had been examined by the proper officer and declared healthy. 



