EDITORIAL. 
339 
it not then become the imperative duty of our sanitary legis¬ 
lators to make the vaccination of our domestic animals, to a 
certain extent, obligatory, just as it is for our own species; at 
least under such peculiar conditions of sanitary precautions and 
requirements as may upon further discussion be found necessary? 
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES IN THE UNITED STATES AMONG 
DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 
A general examination of our agricultural papers reveals a 
sad state of affairs relating to the prevalence of contagious dis¬ 
eases of domestic animals in the United States. It is not now, as 
it was but a few months ago, when the bovine scourge of conta¬ 
gious pleuro-pneumonia alone prevailed alarmingly, although 
this still continues to occupy a large space in the columns of the 
veterinary department of these journals, but it is glanders; it is 
anthrax, in its various forms; and it is hog cholera, of which 
the evil tidings come. 
There is no doubt that pleuro-pneumonia is the one which seems 
mainly to call for immediate action, for there is against this but 
one prophylactic measure; the only means of effecting its extir. 
pation is the radical process of stamping out. 
The process of inoculation, with all its advantages, is not 
without objection; though, after all, there is not the same danger 
to human life in pleuro-pneumonia that accompanies glanders; 
and every one is aware that this disease is to be found all over, 
regardless of locality, and that occasionally a case of infection by 
a human being is reported. It is true, that it is rare, but is not 
a single case sufficient to show its dangers, and to establish the 
necessity for urgent preventive legislation ? And again, how 
shall our duty in relation to hog cholera and anthrax be per¬ 
formed, and when shall we begin to see about it ? 
The subject of sanitary veterinary medicine and legislation is 
one that our National and State governments can no longer ignore ? 
The National Convention of Cattle Growers which met recently 
will certainly not ignore the importance of these subjects, and it 
is to be hoped that their action will result in some practical plan 
by which the power of combating and controlling these domestic 
