( 367 ) 
XVlII.-^^^or^ on the Importation of Animals affected with Cattle- 
Plague during the month of July, 1872. By Professor J. B. 
SiMOXDS, Principal of the Royal Veterinary College, and 
Consulting Veterinary Surgeon to the Society. 
To H. M. Jen"KIN8, Esq., Secretary, Royal Agricultural Society. 
Sir, — I have the honour to report, for the information of the 
Veterinary Committee, that, during the last fortnight of July, 
several importations of cattle suffering from cattle-plague have 
taken place into this country ; and, although it is not at present 
known that the disease has gained a footing here, still the most 
serious apprehensions are entertained lest it may have done so. 
Before giving the particulars of the several importations, it is 
necessary to state that, for many past weeks, it has been known 
that the cattle-plague was prevalent in some of the Baltic pro- 
vinces of Russia, and in contiguous districts. This was espe- 
cially the case with regard to the provinces of Petersburgh and 
Novgorod, from the former of which large exportations of cattle 
have taken place to Cronstadt, from which place we have received 
the disease. 
The first ascertained instance of the importation of the malady 
took place on July 17th. The animals were shipped at Cron- 
stadt in the ' Leda,' and were landed at Deptford Foreign Cattle 
Market. They were a small lot of 25, and, at the time of landing, 
no special indications of cattle-plague were detected ; but it was 
noticed that some of the animals seemed to have suffered more 
than ordinary fatigue from the voyage. On the morning of the 
following day the Inspector, on making a second visit, found 
that one of the animals had died in the interval. This circum- 
stance at once raised a suspicion of the existence of cattle-plague 
in the herd, and a post-mortem examination was forthwith made, 
when all the characteristic lesions of the disease were detected. 
A close examination of the other animals, and the application 
of the thermometer test, showed the existence of premonitory 
symptoms of the disease in three more of them at least. The 
whole were, therefore, slaughtered as quickly as possible, and the 
diseased animal destroyed by placing the carcase in a steam appa- 
ratus which had been specially erected for purposes of this kind. 
The skins of all were disinfected, and also the slaughter-house and 
other places which the animals had occupied, besides which that 
part of the market was closed against any other importations. 
In consequence of this introduction of the disease the importation 
of cattle from Russia was prohibited by Order of Council, and 
directions were also given by the same Order for the slaughter, 
within the defined parts of ports, of all sheep and goats coming 
from Russia. 
