THE CATTLE EPIDEMIC. 
617 
foreign breed, and all of them have been carried off. Of similar 
instances in farther districts I shall not venture to say any thing ; but 
the number of cattle swept away throughout the country must be 
enormous. It is shewn by the raised rates of carriage, and great 
difficulties are anticipated in all field labour. The prices of cattle 
have, however, not augmented ; for no purchasers are yet bold 
enough to come forward. 
In concluding this report, I am happy to be enabled to inform 
your Lordship that this most destructive disease is at present gene- 
rally subsiding. Bessarabia is declared to be nearly free of it, 
and this neighbourhood is so entirely. 
I presume to add that, on referring to books, I find that the dis- 
ease I have been endeavouring to describe seems to be identical 
with the murrain, that malignant epidemic which, during so many 
ages, has at different times ravaged various parts of Europe, with 
symptoms modified, possibly, by local causes. 
I have the honour to remain, 
My Lord, &c. & c. 
(Signed) JAMES YEARNES. 
The following is the account of the symptoms of this disease, 
referred to in the above letter : — 
Description of the Cattle Plague, “ Pestis Bovum” 
From the time of infection to the appearance of the first symp- 
toms of this disease, six or eight days generally elapse, and very 
rarely is the contagion so strong that the symptoms appear only 
two days after that time. In ordinary cases, little alteration is 
discovered in the affected animal for the first three or four days ; 
and its appetite is rarely affected within that time. On the seventh 
or eighth day only are the febrile symptoms first seen, such as 
the rising of the hair along the back, a great sensibility of the loins, 
an unusual indolence, weakness of the limbs, and a staggering 
gait. Later, a dragging of the limbs, yawning, and grinding 
of the teeth, with loud bellowing at times, and uneasiness. Soon 
after, greater signs of fever ensue : the nose and mouth become 
dry, the eyes dim, and the whites redden. Farther on, rumina- 
tion and licking of the face become languid and rare. Cows partly 
lose their milk, and a cough completes the full proof of the destruc- 
tive malady. 
This proof of the disease manifests itself on the seventh or eighth 
day, and, rarely waiting until the eleventh or twelfth day after in- 
fection, is followed by a remarkable increase of febrile shiverings, 
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