404 
THE PREVAILING DISEASES AMONG CATTLE. 
pleuro-pneumonia, my decided opinion is, that the first loss is 
the least, and I would recommend the animal immediately to be 
slaughtered. 
The paper gave rise to a long and interesting discussion on the 
sanatory condition of many localities. 
The Chairman quite agreed with Mr. Stevenson, that the ex- 
cretions of animals, that were too often suffered to accumulate in 
cow-houses and other places, combined with bad ventilation, was 
the probable primary cause of diseases among human beings, as 
well as cattle. In the course of his remarks the Chairman drew 
attention to the fact, that typhus and other dangerous fevers had 
often been generated owing to a want of cleanliness and a proper 
circulation of air. Bad sewerage, particularly in large towns, was an 
evil that could not be too soon remedied. It was where an excess 
of pestilent matter prevailed, during the time of the cholera, that that 
fearful disease was the most fatal in its consequences. It appeared 
to be a maxim among a numerous class of people to exclude all 
the fresh air they possibly could from their dwellings, and particu- 
larly from their sleeping apartments. A greater mistake could not 
possibly be committed. The Chairman then went on to allude to 
the serious consequences which resulted from the above practice, 
and urged the propriety and absolute necessity of paying attention 
to the subject. By parity of reasoning, the remarks applied as 
much to the sanatory condition of cattle, &c., as to human beings. 
In all stables and cow-houses there ought to be sufficient fall for 
the liquids to run off into an enclosed tank or reservoir. The places 
should be well ventilated, and daily washed out and cleansed. In 
Holland, the out-houses for cattle were as clean as that room ; and 
the dwellings of the people were models of cleanliness and order. 
He was aware that much had already been done to produce a 
healthy state of things in this country, but a great deal still re- 
mained to be done. 
Mr. Nelson, although as strong an advocate for cleanliness as 
any one, stated that he differed in opinion as to the cause of epi- 
demic and other diseases among cattle. In his practice as a vete- 
rinary surgeon he had found diseases among cattle as virulent in 
healthy, clean, and well-ventilated, as he had done in low and bad 
situations. It was true, no doubt, that filth and bad ventilation 
aggravated disease ; but he did not believe they were exclusively 
the cause. 
The Chairman agreed that there might be predisposing causes, 
but the fact was incontrovertible, that bad air and dirty habits often 
aggravated, if they did not absolutely promote, disease. Miasm, 
arising from putrefying bodies, could not be too strongly guarded 
against. 
