DISEASES AND REMEDIES. 499 



addressed by this "Commission," at their meeting in Albany, 

 June 7th, 1866, "To the Farmers of the State of New York." 

 The danger of the epidemic then reacliing our sliores, was 

 thought to be imminent: 



RINDERPEST. 



" The disease called the rinderpest, which swept across the 

 Eastern Continent with such resistless fury, destroying vast num- 

 bers of ruminant animals, may, at any moment, reach our shores. 



"In view of such a contingency, the Legislature of our State, 

 at its last session, appointed the undersigned Commissioners, 

 charged to watch over the preservation of our flocks and herds 

 from this disease, and armed them with plenary powers to adopt 

 such measures as might conduce to the result. 



"No amount of energy or wisdom, on the part of the Com- 

 missioners can, however, ward ofi" the ravages of the disease, with- 

 out the hearty co-operation of the owners of cattle. United, 

 harmonious action, guided by an intelligent plan, will reduce the 

 number of victims to a minimum. 



" As a part of such plan, we desire to offer the following advice, 

 which we hope will commend itself to the judgment of cattle 

 owners, and prevent the spreading of the disease: 



1. Symptoms. 



"After exposure to contagion, the cattle exhibit no external 

 marks of disease until from the seventh to the fourteenth day, 

 when the following succession of symptoms present themselves : 



"(a.) The breath becomes fetid. We urge farmers, therefore, 

 to watch their herds, daily, for the occurrence of this symptom, 

 which is easily recognized. The odor sometimes resembles that 

 of small pox, and is the very first symptom presented by the 

 disease. 



"(J.) As soon as this odor is observed, the mouth and the 

 vagina will be found unnaturally hot and red. 



