SECRETARY'S REPORT. 89 



that animals who have borne up against the gangrenous results 

 of inoculation have still lost much of their value after their 

 cure, in consequence of their health being impaired for a long 

 time. They are also deformed, by the loss of a part of their 

 tails ; while on the contrary, cows which under the experiments 

 of the Committee have contracted peripneumonia and been 

 cured, have recovered at length very nearly their former value 

 — the disease leaving no apparent trace behind it, nor having 

 in any way injured the animal, either for lactation or" fattening. 



These being the results of inoculation, we cannot advocate 

 its adoption. It is evident therefore, that the only effectual 

 means foF arresting the progress of the disease is to slaughter 

 every herd in which it esists. But how to tell where it exists 

 is a much more difficult task. Tlierefore, when an animal 

 from any suspected region coughs and shows other symptoms 

 of disease in the chest, it should be separated from its fellows 

 and the herd should be strictly isolated. If the affected animal 

 should die, it should be carefully examined, and an accurate 

 record of the appearances made. Should the disease be one of 

 the chest, the rest of the herd should be inspected daily, and if 

 other animals are successively attacked and die, they should be 

 examined, and if found to be affected with the same malady, 

 the safest way would be to " extirpate " the herd. 



We cannot, therefore, award too much praise to the Commis- 

 sioners, for the fearless manner in which they have performed 

 their duty, in spite of the popular clamor, excited by what 

 appeared to be an unnecessary destruction of animals. To 

 pause until men agree upon the subject of contagion, would 

 perhaps establish the disease among us. 



Admitting that it is still an open question, let us be prepared 

 to act on the weight of evidence, and, until the scale turns, extir- 

 pation should be regarded as the only sure means of prevention. 



As the disease prevails in Great Britain and Europe, it is 

 highly important that Congress should pass quarantine laws to 

 prevent its re-introduction into this country. 



Oramel Martin, M. D., 

 • Calvin Ellis, M. D., 



JosiAH H. Stickney, M. D., 



Board of Examiners. 



