128 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
pneumonia with the imperfect legislation and the many restric¬ 
tions now placed upon us ? We fear not. We propose then, to 
state in general terms what should be done, and compare this 
with the measures now taken in the different States and see how 
they correspond. 
It is but just to say, however, that American people and Amer¬ 
ican legislatures are almost, if not entirely, ignorant of the 
measures necessary to control this and other contagious diseases 
of the domestic animals. Hence, we should regard all present 
efforts as gropings in the right direction , and endeavor to patiently 
direct and develop rather than discourage and thwart, the only 
measures (imperfect and insufficient as they are) which our peo¬ 
ple will to-day endorse. All delays are indeed dangerous, and we 
must predict that more ultra measures than are now adopted 
must soon be put in force if the complete “ stamping-out ” of 
contagious pleuro-pneumonia from the U. S. is to be a success. 
That this malady here exists ; that it is contagious; that it is 
not indigenous to this country, that its incubative stage is uncer¬ 
tain in its duration, sometimes very short, again very long; that so- 
called “ recovered ” cases may and do spread the contagion to 
healthy animals with which they come in contact—all these are 
points settled beyond dispute. Starting with the above facts as a 
basis, and remembering that different States are invaded by this 
disease, the first and prime element of success in its extermina¬ 
tion consists in united and harmonious action by each and all the 
States. 
The short experience of the past proves conclusively that such 
a unanimity of action as is required to effect any permanent good is 
not to be hoped for as long as individual States control and di¬ 
rect this work. What then ? 
Plainly to place the matter in the hands of the National Gov¬ 
ernment in such a manner as will best secure the sympathy and 
cooperation of every State, whether actually invaded, or in dan¬ 
ger of becoming so. 
There are a few prominent rocks upon which this effort is in 
danger of being wrecked, i.e.: political influences, the appoint¬ 
ment of persons unacquainted with the nature or extent of the 
