SECRETARY'S REPORT. 77 



We think the evidence that Mr. Cheucry's oxen gave the 

 disease in East Lexington, and that it passed from that place 

 to New Hampshire is defective in several particulars. First, 

 Mr. Chenery's oxen had been well ever since the November 

 previous. Second, the records of the post mortem made at 

 Lexington before the extra session do not describe the disease. 

 Third, wc do not, since the panic, hear of any disease in New 

 Hampshire, where it was said to have been carried by some 

 young cattle from Mr. Wellington's barn. Fourth, it is quite 

 uncertain whether the young animals that went to New Hamp- 

 shire were in tlie barn with the Chencry oxen at all. Fifth, 

 three cows most exposed were killed July 10th, examined by 

 Dr. Martin and found well. 



We are not convinced merely because an animal has been 

 "pronounced" diseased by any medical gentleman, or because 

 they said they found certain things, unless the things mentioned 

 were accurately and carefully described. And we fear it would 

 have been very unfortunate for the Commonwealth to have 

 acted much farther on such evidence as the following cases 

 will show. 



Mahony had an animal killed, which the records say showed 

 decided pleuro-pneumonia. The herd, consisting of seven head, 

 is now aliv^and well. 



Sullivan Convers had an animal killed. " Right lung slightly 

 diseased ; red hepatization." The herd, of forty-two head is 

 now alive and well. 



Adolphus Hamilton had a heifer killed which was "pro- 

 nounced" diseased. The herd of twenty-six head is now alive 

 and well. 



There was killed at the poor-farm in New Braintree an animal 

 which " clearly showed pneumonia in the right lung in the 

 early stage." The herd of sixteen head is now alive and well. 



Two animals were killed, belonging to Josiah P. Gleason, 

 of New Braintree. " The lungs of one were reported hyper- 

 trophied, especially the right ; red hepatization appearing 

 somewhat." In the other, both lungs were pronounced " dis- 

 eased in the early stage." The herd of thirty-five head is now 

 alive and well. 



10* 



