SECRETARY'S REPORT. 31 



much ill tliG dark. That tlic disease was tenihly fatal, seemed 

 to be sufficiently demonstrated by tlie death of nearly one-half 

 of Mv. Clienery's stock, in a few months, on its first appear- 

 ance. That it was contagious, was clearly ]n-oved by its having 

 been carried to North Brookfield, from Belmont, in the manner 

 described, and spreading there from herd to herd, in all cases 

 by contact, and raging with e(]ual virulence as at Belmont. 

 But how the infection was communicated, how long the disease 

 was in incubation, at what stage of the disease infection could 

 be communicated, or when the time arrived that it ceased to 

 be communicable, all these important facts were then unknown. 

 The perplexity caused by their want of knowledge in regard to 

 the disease, is easily perceived. On its appearance in any herd, 

 there was no course of safety, but to destroy the whole, as 

 required by law ; for no one could say that there was any secu- 

 rity in leaving a single animal alive, that had been exposed, 

 however lightly. It was quite apparent that it was better a 

 whole herd should perish, than one be left to spread disease 

 over the Commonwealth. 



The difficulty of determining clearly, by prognosis, when the 

 disease actually existed, greatly embarrassed the surgeons and 

 Commissioners. Yet they were compelled to act, and act 

 promptly, and in such manner as the public safety required. 



Tiie total expense incurred by the commission, large as it 

 may seem to some, is small, when compared with the immensity 

 of the object to be gained. The whole cost will not amount to 

 one-half of one-per cent, on the total value of the neat stock of 

 Massachusetts. What country in Europe, where the disease 

 permanently exists, would not pay a vastly greater premium 

 ever// year, to be defended from this terrible scourge ? 



The whole amount for which warrants have been 

 drawn upon the treasury on account of this 

 commission, is ..... . $28,755 32 



The outstanding bills for various expenses, arc about 5,000 00 



,755 32 



In addition to the above estimate, Mr. Chcnery has a just 

 claim for the board of his animals from ]\[ay thirteenth to June 

 twelfth, amounting to a little more than three hundred dollars ; 

 but the provisions of the law of April fourth do not authorize 



