History of Animal Plagues. 205 



Healthy with Infected Cattle, and with all other Infected Bodies.' 

 'It was observed/ he savs, 'that those who carefullv obstructed 

 every chink through which contagion might approach, preserved 

 their cattle from the plague. Thus, while the disease was raging 

 everywhere, the cattle on the estates of Prince Pamphilo and of 

 Prince Borsihese, bv the 2;reatest care and watchino; to avert 

 every possible source of infection, remained unaffected ; it was 

 also observed that others, the owners of large herds, had a simi- 

 lar good fortune; and that the Monasteries also escaped the con- 

 tagion when the disease was rife in the towns, even though they 

 were built in the centre of the plague-haunted districts. This 

 was owino; to their cattle having no communication whatever 

 with those beyond the high walls enclosing their pastures. 



The last chapter of the invaluable work sums up his admir- 

 able reflections on this disease. ' The steps which a wise 

 government should instantly take, whenever (which may Heaven 

 avert !) the pestilence may again appear upon our borders, 

 are these. All roads and by-paths should be carefully guarded, 

 so that no ox or dog be allowed to enter the country. Any 

 animal so entering should be forthwith destroyed and buried. 

 Should the pestilence, however, gain admission, the separation 

 of the sick from the healthy must be enforced by decree. In- 

 deed, in mij opinion, by far the safest course is instantly to 

 destroy the animal, and luith the poleaxe, so that no infected 

 blood may escape on to the ground ; for, in attempting to cure 

 the diseased animal, the veterinary surgeon may convey the 

 plague to healthy oxen. The healthy cattle must be removed 

 from their former pastures, which must now be regarded as 

 contaminated. The diseased oxen should be kept in stables, 

 to which no one is admitted except the veterinary surgeon 

 or the herdsman. The fountains and vessels used by the ani- 

 mals should be frequently cleaned with quick lime. The clothes 

 of the shepherds also should be fumigated. The dead carcases, 

 from which not one hair is to be removed, must be buried 

 in deep pits; and any saliva or secretions which may drop 

 from them on the way to the pit are to i)e carefully removed. 

 If any cows are infected, their milk is instantly to be thrown 

 into a hole in the ground; and the severest punishment should be 



