279 
THE VETERINARIAN, APRIL 1, 1871. 
Ne quid falsi dicere audeat, ne quid veri non audeat. — C icero. 
THE REPORTED OUTBREAK OF PNEUMONIA AMONG 
DUTCH CATTLE. 
In the last number of the Veterinarian we referred to a 
reported outbreak of pleuro-pneumonia among some cattle 
which were landed in the latter part of January from Hol- 
land, and taken to the layers of the Metropolitan Cattle 
Market, where, “ on careful inspection,” so the report ran, 
several of the animals were found to be affected with 
the contagious malady known as “ lung disease.” A state- 
ment so positive in terms naturally attracted attention, and 
even led to a question being put to the Vice-President 
of the Council in the House. The answer which was given 
accurately expressed the results of the inquiry which was 
instituted immediately upon the publication of the letter 
containing the statement referred to from the Secretary of 
the Home Cattle Defence Association. “So far as could be 
ascertained, the statement was entirely without foundation.” 
The originator of the report, in his reply, explained that the 
information had been given to a member of his Association 
by Mr. Alexander, a salesman, who was interested in the 
cattle. Mr. Alexander has stated to us, verbally and by letter, 
that he gave no such information to any persons, for the 
reason that he was ignorant of the event having occurred ; 
but assuming, as we did, that Mr. Alexander had told some 
one, who afterwards told the Secretary of the Association, 
that certain Dutch cattle had been killed in the lairs, or 
adjacent thereto, on account of being the subjects of pleuro- 
pneumonia, the question arises, is this kind of unmeaning 
gossip all that the Association requires for the foundation of 
its alarming reports? Does the Secretary of the Home 
Cattle Defence Association recollect that a few weke ago there 
was a report of the detention of a cargo of Dutch cattle , on 
account of cattle plague at Harwich? A port where no 
