414 BOARD OF AGEICULTUEE. [Pub. Doc. 



is contained in section 45 of chapter 491 of the Acts of 1894, 

 which is as follows : — 



When the board of cattle commissioners or any of its members, by 

 au examination of a case of contagious disease among domestic 

 animals, becomes satisfied that the public good requires it, such board 

 or commissioner shall cause such animal or animals affected therewith 

 to be securely isolated, at the expense of the owner, or shall cause it 

 or them to be killed without appraisal or payment. Such order of 

 killing shall be in writing and may be directed to the board of health, 

 inspector, or other person, and shall contain such direction as to 

 the examination and disposal of the carcass, and the cleansing and 

 disinfecting of the premises where such animal was condemned, as 

 such board or commission shall deem expedient. A reasonable sum 

 may be paid out of the treasury of the Commonwealth for the 

 expense of such killing and burial. If it shall subsequently appear, 

 upon post-mortem examination or otherwise, that such animal was 

 free from the disease for which it was condemned, a reasonable sum 

 therefor shall be paid to the owner thereof by the Commonwealth : 

 provided, however, that whenever any cattle afflicted with the disease 

 of tuberculosis are killed under the provisions of this section, one-half 

 of the value thereof at the time of slaughter for food or milk pur- 

 poses, and Avithout taking into consideration the existence of such 

 disease, shall be paid to the owner thereof out of the treasury of the 

 Commonwealth, if such animal has been within the state six months 

 continuously prior to its being killed, provided such person shall not 

 have, prior thereto, wilfully concealed the existence of tuberculosis, 

 or by act or wilful neglect contributed to the spread of such disease. 



The portion of this section which provides for the payment 

 of tuberculous animals without taking into consideration the 

 existence of the disease was new to the laws of this Common- 

 wealth. As this act came into operation the 20th of last June, 

 this report of the commission also embraces a period from Dec. 

 15, 1893, to June 20, 1894, when it was operating under a 

 law, being chapter 306 of the Acts of 1893, w^hich provided, 

 in section 2 , — 



When any member of the board of cattle commissioners, by an ex- 

 amination of a case of contagious disease among domestic animals, 

 becomes satisfied that the public good requires it, he shall cause such 

 animals to be securely isolated at the expense of the owner, or he 

 shall cause them to be killed without appraisal or payment ; but may 



