470 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE 



nature's system as the healthy growth and development of the 

 nmuerous members of the animal kingdom. But I wished you to 

 understand that whereas disease and death were quite ineiitable, 

 we were apt in our ignorance or carelessness, to overlook many 

 things which teach us how to prolong the lives of men and animals 

 and others, which indicate how speedily and surely the more impor- 

 tant plagues might be exterminated. 



It would doubtless be more interesting to many present, if I 

 could illustrate my subject by special reference to the diseases 

 which are ever prevalent on American soil; but the very circum- 

 stance that it is not possible for any one to speak with very great 

 authority on that which has not been sufficiently observed should 

 not be lost on you. We need facts. Your interests are sufferiug, 

 and the interests of every man, woman and child in the United 

 States are suffering for want of statistical and geographical know- 

 ledge in relation to the diseases of animals. Every now and then 

 we are startled with news of thousands of cattle, sheep or pigs 

 dying in some part of your vast continent; but the evil strikes at 

 a State, a county, a nook in your fertile lands, and the loss seems 

 to be soon repaired in forgetfulness. 



I have heard it stated that every emigrant who lands on this side 

 of the Atlantic is worth $2,700 to your countiy. The advantage 

 to you of emigration from Europe may be estimated at or about 

 $30,000,000 per annum. You will correct me if I am wrong, but 

 I trust I am not far from the truth. Now, I told you last week 

 that your losses by disease in cattle must amount at least to thirty 

 million golden dollars per annum, or in other words, you lose 

 by inattention to the laws of health in animals as much as you 

 gain annually by the importation of human life from the Old 

 World. 



This may be a peculiar view of matters, but if you consider my 

 statement fair and correct, you will probably see that it is my 

 l^leasure and duty to talk to you of subjects that are not second in 

 importa,nce to any that engage your attention, and that I am the 

 member of a profession which deserves better patronage and con- 

 sideration at your hands than it has hitherto received. 



You must not suppose that this is the first agricultural assembly 

 which I have accused of inattention to agricultural and social 

 interest. My countrymen refused to listen until they had bought 

 experience by one of those rude shocks whicli seem destined by 

 Providence to make men wise and better than before. 



