720 
EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
authorised and required to visit without delay several places 
in the commonwealth 'where the disease was known or sus¬ 
pected to exist, and were empowered to cause all cattle which 
had been diseased, or had belonged to diseased herds, to be 
forthwith killed and buried, and the premises where they were 
kept cleansed and purified; to appraise in their discretion the 
value of the cattle killed which were apparently well, and 
certify to the State government the allowances made to the 
owners of the cattle respectively; and to communicate for 
publication the result of their observations and inquiries 
relative to the nature of the disease. It was also enacted 
that c any person who should knowingly disregard any 
lawful order or direction of said commisioners, or who should 
sell or otherwise dispose of an animal which he knows, or 
has good reason to suspect, has been exposed to the aforesaid 
disease, should forfeit a sum not exceeding five hundred 
dollars. 5 
6C Governor Banks (the committee quote from his message) 
issued commissions, under the provisions of this act, to 
Richard S. Fay, Esq., of Lynn, Paoli Lathrop, Esq., of 
Hadley, and Hon. Amasa Walker, of Brookfield. These 
gentlemen entered at once upon the performance of their 
duties. After some progress had been made, Mr. Fay, from 
the pressure of private engagements, withdrew from the 
commission, and the vacancy was supplied by the appointment 
of Dr. George B. Loring, of Salem, Mr. Lathrop, of South 
Hadley, acting as chairman. The commissioners have been 
assisted in their labours by Dr. Thayer, Dr. Dadd, Dr. Bates, 
and other gentlemen of established reputation as veterinary 
surgeons. 
“From a detailed report of the operation of the commis¬ 
sioners under the statute, it appears that all suspected herds 
have been examined, and many cattle have been isolated by 
their order. Eight hundred and forty-two have been 
slaughtered, for which compensation has been allowed by the 
commissioners to the amount of $20,432 83. No report, 
however, of allowances made to the owners of cattle has been 
received, and on money has been drawn under the statute 
from the treasury. The appropriation of $10,000 made by 
the legislature was very soon exhausted. The labours of the 
commissioners would have been at once brought to a close, but 
the distemper continuing to spread, and the public mind 
beccming more excited in the districts where its ravages 
were chiefly confined, and where it seriously affected, and 
seemed to threaten the destruction of the principal occupa¬ 
tion and support of the people, many generous and public 
