482 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [P. D. No. 4. 



the small intestine in one and of tlie small and large intes- 

 tines in the other ; in each cow the interior surface of the 

 small intestines were covered by a purulent mucus. Speci- 

 mens from the spleen, liver, kidney, heart and small intes- 

 tines from one cow were taken to Dr. Theobald Smith, 

 who could not find any -germs of disease. Some of the 

 portions of the intestines, lungs and kidneys were also 

 taken to Dr. Chas. Harrington for analysis, and he re- 

 ported tliat he could not find any of the common irritant 

 poisons. It seems that these cases must have been the 

 result of the cows eating something that disagreed with 

 them, causing acute inflammation of the intestines. As it 

 was hot weather, it is possible that some toxic substance 

 was produced, as a result of the decomposition of some of 

 the food, which may have produced fatal results. 



Respectfully submitted, 



AUSTIN PETERS, Chairman, 

 LEANDER F. HERRICK, Secretary, 

 CHARLES A. DENNEN, 



Board of Cattle Commissioners. 



