104 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



Feb. 



1. That the disease is strictly contagious, no 

 case having occurred where it was not directly 

 and indisputably traceable to contact with some 

 animal known to be diseased. 



2. That the severity or virulence of the disease 

 is in proportion to the closeness of contact ; that 

 where the animals are confined in barns they take 

 the disease from each other in the most aggra- 

 vated form. 



3. That cleanliness, ventilation and the use of 

 disinfectants are important as means of preventing 

 the spread of the disease among a herd in which 

 it exists, and of modifying its character. 



4. As the disease always in the end produces 

 ulceration of the lungs, it is hopelessly incurable." 



In proof of the contagious character of the dis- 

 ease, the Commissioners present a diagram, which 

 is intended to prove tiie connection of every case 

 with the original infection. 



The Commissioners, after defending the policy 

 of destruction, as being, under the circumstances, 

 absolutely necessary, proceed to give some sta- 

 tistics of their operations. 



From these it appears, that of the animals pro- 

 nounced sound, and killed, under the act of April 

 4, there were 197 cows, 103 heifers, 89 oxen, 78 

 steers, 1G4 yearliiTgs and calves, and 42 animals 

 not described : total (373. Animals, pronounced 

 diseased and killed under the act of April 5, 188. 



Animals killed, paid for under act of .June 12, 

 cows, 10 ; heifers, 7 ; oxen, 2 ; steers, 2 ; year- 

 lings and calves, 5 ; animals not described, o ; to- 

 tal 31. Total of animals to be paid for, 704. To- 

 tal of animals killed by the Commissioners 892; 

 in addition to which 5 have been killed by the 

 medical examiners. 



The Commissioners are satisfied that the law of 

 April 4, 18G0, under Avhich by far the greater part 

 of the operations of this Board were conducted, 

 was just and liberal in its provisions; but they 

 observe Mith regret that some cases of great hard- 

 ship have resulted from its execution. Such cases 

 they commend to the consideration of the Legis- 

 lature. 



The Commissioners then speak at some length 

 of false reports of the existence of pleuro-pneu- 

 monia elsewhere, and of the attention which its 

 existence in Massachusetts has excited in other 

 States. Li this connection they quote liberally 

 from reports and other documents, printed in va- 

 rious States. They aver that their opinion of the 

 contagious character of the disease is sustained 

 by practical and scientific men everywhere. They 

 advise, uj)on the a])pearance of the disease, imme- 

 diate separation of the sick animals from the re- 

 mainder of the herd, and an isolation of all that 

 may have been exposed to the infection. The vast- 

 ness of the interest at stake may make it the part 

 of wisdom to secure most certainly, in all cases, 

 the rigid observance of this practice by legislative 

 enactment, as is done in other States. 



In conclusion, the Commissioners say : "In view 

 of the well established contagiousness of Pleuro- 

 pneumonia, the Commissioners strongly recom- 

 mend that measures be taken to call the attention 

 of Congress to the propriety of enacting such 

 quarantine regulations, in relation to the admis- 

 sion of foreign cattle, as shall eff'ectually guard 

 the counti-y against the danger of another impor- 

 tation of this contagious and fatal disease. That 

 there is no safety in bringing neat stock from any 



part of Europe, is very obvious ; and since it is 

 not unlikely that the importation of such stock 

 will continue, the regulations proposed seem in 

 the highest degree important. The Commission- 

 ers trust the Legislature will take such action in 

 the premises as the exigency demands." They 

 then quote, in support of their opinions, from an 

 essay on the subject from Prof. Simonds, the dis- 

 tinguished President of the London Veterinary 

 College, who is regarded by them as the highest 

 European authority. 



The report is signed by Paoli Lathrop, Amasa 

 Walker, Cyrus Knox, George B. Loring and El- 

 bridge G. Morton. 



LADIES' DEPARTMENT. 



DOMESTIC BECEIPTS. 



Beef. — A very economical, and most savory 

 and delicious dish can be made with two or three 

 pounds of chuck steak, (a cheap part of beef.) 

 which infinitely surpasses the tasteless, insipid, 

 common eating-house stuff called "beef alamode." 

 Cut the steak into pieces about two inches 

 square, put them into a saucepan with a large 

 V>reakfast cup of cold water ; put it on the fire ; 

 as soon as it boils up, stand it on the hob to sim- 

 mer for two hours until perfectly tender. While 

 simmering, tie up, with a bit of thread or cotton, a 

 bunch of herbs, composed of knotted marjoram, 

 winter savory, and a little thyme ; take it out just 

 before the dish is served. Of course the stew 

 must be occasionally shaken, as all others arc; 

 remember, however, the fat must not be skimmed 

 off"; the more fat there is, the better is the stew. 

 This dish is of Italian origin, and in that country 

 is eaten with plain boiled maccaroni and Parme- 

 san cheese, or with salad ; and with either it is a 

 "dainty dish to set before a king." Any girl 

 from a charity school could cook it, while an al- 

 derman of Portsoken Ward, and a three stone 

 man, or a cripple from the workhouse, would 

 equally enjoy it, and wish he could eat more. 



Oyster Loaves. — Take some small French 

 rolls, make a round hole in the top, and scrape 

 out all the crumbs. Then put your oysters into 

 a pan, with their liquor, and the crumbs that 

 come out of the rolls ; add a lump of butter, and 

 stew them together five or six minutes; then put 

 in a spoonful of good cream. Fill your rolls with 

 the oysters, &c., lay the piece of crust carefully 

 on again, and set the rolls in the oven to crisp. 

 These loaves may be used at an entertainment. 



Scalloped Oysters. — Wash your oysters well 

 in their own liquor, then put some of them into 

 scallop shells or a deep dish, strew over them a 

 few bread crumbs, with some seasoning, such as 

 you prefer, and spread some butter over them ; 

 then add another layer of oysters ; then of liread 

 crumbs, &c., and when the dish or shells are full 

 enough, spread some butter over the top, and 

 put them into an oven to brown. 



Pickled Oysters. — Boil the oysters in their 

 own liquor until they look plump, then take 

 them out and strain the liquor ; add to it wine, 

 vinegar and pepper to your taste, and pour it over 

 tlie oysters. 



