No. 4.] CATTLE COMMISSIONERS. 545 



In 1897, 210 



In 1896, 192 



Increase for year outside these cities and towns, .... 18 



Per cent, of glanders in Boston and 27 adjoining towns to total in 



State, 1896, 50 



Same in 1897, 56^-[- 



Relative per cent, of increase of glanders in, Boston and 27 ad- 

 joining cities and towns to total in State of 1897 over 1896, . 6^-|- 



During the spring of the present year the Board of Health 

 of the city of Boston secured the passage of the following 

 act: — 



[Chapter 178, Acts of 1897.] 

 An Act relative to animals affected with infectious diseases. 

 Be it e7iacted, etc., as follows : 



Section 1 . Any owner, agent or other person in charge of or 

 called to examine an animal in the city of Boston, affected with 

 either of the diseases known as glanders, farcy or rabies, shall 

 forthwith report to the board of health of said city the name of 

 the owner and place of keeping of such animal. 



Sect. 2. Said board, when satisfied upon examination that any 

 animal within said city is affected by either of said diseases, shall 

 cause such animal to be killed or otherwise disposed of. 



Sect. 3. Any person violating any provision of this act shall 

 for each offence be punished by a fine of not exceeding one hun- 

 dred dollars, or by imprisonment in the house of correction not 

 exceeding one year. [^Approved March 19, 1897. 



The Board of Health of the city of Boston employs a com- 

 petent veterinarian, and has continued the same man in the 

 position for several years, and it is not likely that political 

 changes will interfere with the present incumbent ; even if 

 he were removed from his place, in the present state of edu- 

 cation and public opinion, it is more than probable that it 

 would be filled by another equally well-educated and quali- 

 fied veterinarian ; therefore, the act as passed cannot be 

 objected to, provided that the cases that occur under his 

 jurisdiction are promptly and fully reported to this Board as 

 soon as the animals are killed. 



