472 
D. MCEACHRAN. 
This great question must be looked in the face squarely—no 
greater ever was discussed on the American continent; it involves! 
not merely the protection—nay, the saving from destruction of 
billions of money, but, more important still (next to flour), the 
most important article of the food supply of a quarter of the pop¬ 
ulation of the globe. 
As it appears to me you have first to overcome all those in¬ 
fluences which are well known to obstruct all effective action in 
the direction of eradicating this disease. Bring together all the 
vested interests which are menaced by the plague, either directly 
or indirectly, notably the cattle breeders and buyers, the railroad 
corporations, and stock-yard companies, and let them calmly con¬ 
sider the inevitable result of trifling with such a plague. Let them 
unanimously agree that, cost what it will, they resolve that every 
trace of this disease must and shall be destroyed. 
Let the United States Government so amend their laws, or 
the Constitution even if need be, that the Federal Government 
can and will control such a ruinous plague. Let each State quar¬ 
antine her borders against each and every State in which disease 
exists, and those States which permit free transit of animals from 
infected States into or through their territory. 
These are matters for your Senators and Congressmen to dis¬ 
cuss, but let the representatives of the great cattle industries now 
assembled in Chicago, as well as the railroad companies and stock- 
yard corporations, and veterinarians, all unite in urging immedi¬ 
ate action by both Federal and State Governments. 
An organization should be immediately formed in every State 
and Territory to discover the disease and disclose it wherever 
found. Even if it has reached the unfenced ranges of the West, 
it can be stamped out, if properly taken in hand, by energetic 
men backed by proper laws and sufficient funds. , 
Now, what should the veterinarians do? They should en¬ 
deavor to acquire all the facts possible with reference to this dis¬ 
ease, they should freely discuss and unanimously agree upon a 
line of policy to recommend to the combined authorities above 
alluded to; let there be no differences of advice, let us remember 
our motto, Vis unitcc fovtiov^ and as one of your number who has 
