266 
THE CATTLE PLAGUE IN SPAIN. 
on, or to destroy everything obnoxious, as had been recom¬ 
mended by Dr. Ortiz during the epidemic at Pampeluna (a 
city of Spain), so great had been the ravages of this epizooty 
in the kingdom of Granada, that but few cattle remained ; 
and despite the enforcement of the measures taken to bury 
the dead animals in deep pits, it was impossible to prevent 
the putrid particles from rising into the air, though much 
pains had been taken to heap large quantities of lime and 
earth over the burial places. Escovar has mentioned this 
vaccine epizooty and its origin. According to his account, it 
was notorious that the contagion could be communicated 
from one animal to another, and so be regenerated ; by these 
it could be carried to other pastures, and for a long time had 
inflicted sutlering on many kingdoms, without any suspicions 
having been formed as to the contagious particles being 
disseminated by the air since 1708; from which cause it has 
become so universal in Europe, and has so frequently been 
productive of such a great mortality amongst animals.^^ 
Besides the fact of the invasion, here we have a lesson from 
Spain, as instructive as any in the history of animal plagues. 
No matter how the cattle of a country may be reared or pro¬ 
visioned, whether they be fattened on grass grown from animal 
manure and forced into richness by all manner of fearful 
abominations,^^ or over-cared for and over-fed ; or whether, 
as in Spain, they enjoy the perpetual open air, or the double 
system, once allow the Steppe murrain to get among them, 
and there will be but little difference in the rates of mortality. 
This is a fact repeated over and over again in the annals of 
this malady; and if Spain ever commences to import from 
regions where there is any chance of the contagion finding its 
Avay, she will discover that her method of rearing and feeding 
her ruminants will ensure them no more protection than that 
employed in other countries. 
It is curious to note, that it took a month for the maladv 
to travel the comparatively short distance across the frontier, 
from Bayonne to St. Sebastian; whereas it progressed 
rapidly in the districts of France, and was quickly at Toulouse. 
It is also Avorthy of remark, that the Spanish A^eterinary 
surgeons should have used their utmost endeavours to prevail 
upon the authorities to resort to the only measures for com¬ 
bating this terrible contagion, but it appears without effect. 
How often does history repeat itself, even in the matter of 
cattle plagues. There is but little difference to be found in 
the Spanish epizooty of 1774 and the British one of 1865. 
