PLEUROPNEUMONIA. 
29 
It having been urged that iu Brooklyn, N. Y., and Bordentown, N. J., the 
same disease existed, aud that its origin could not be traced, the Commis¬ 
sioners deemed the subject of sufficient importance to warrant them in making 
a personal examination of its developements in those places. They visited Brook¬ 
lyn, and examined the famous stables in Skillman street aud elsewhere, and as¬ 
certained that the disease took off annually thirty per cent, of the cattle; that 
inoculation had been tried without perceptible advantage, and that the effects of 
the disease were such that the keeping of cattle in those places was fast becom¬ 
ing profitless. It appeared on investigation, that the theory of the self-produc¬ 
ing character of the disease, or that it was generated in badly ventilated stables? 
was wholly without foundation; and the Commissioners were able to trace the 
whole disease in its entire course to one cow, brought over in a ship from Eng¬ 
land about twelve years since, and sold to a German, near South Ferry, Brooklyn. 
This cow was transferred to one of the herds in Skillman street, where the dis¬ 
ease was never heard of before, and there it died; since which time it has not 
ceased to prevail there with more or less intensity. 
A cow, sick with a very painful disease, was offered to us for examination, 
and ou killing aud opening her there were developed precisely the same appear" 
ances as were witnessed in those cattle killed by order of the Commissioners in 
Massachusetts. 
In New Jersey, as in New York, the Commissioners had an opportunity for 
examining the lungs of diseased cattle, aud with the same result. They also suc¬ 
ceeded in tracing the disease in all cases to Philadelphia, to which place, ac¬ 
cording to general belief, it was brought by cattle from Holland. 
The Commissioners feel that they have so managed this subject as to allay 
the apprehensions of our farmers, and yet they desire to state, that exemption 
from this great evil can only be purchased by eternal vigilance. We have little 
fear of it from Brooklyn or New Jersey, but there is danger of its approach by 
the way of Albany, N. Y., and we should recommend as a matter of common pru¬ 
dence that some commission be kept in existence ready to meet the malady at 
its first approach. 
If New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania would adopt similar measures 
to those in this State, it would be one of the most effective modes of securing the 
whole community against this disease, which, if allowed to prevail, would en¬ 
danger all the neat stock in the country, and greatly deteriorate the most sub¬ 
stantial food of the people. One pertinent fact may be stated here, viz : that a 
single cow imported into Australia with this disease shut up in her lungs, has 
imparted the same, by computation, to no less than 100,000 cattle. 
In conclusion the Commissioners are satisfied, 
1st. That this disease has never been generated in this country from local 
causes. 
2d. That it is altogether an imported disease. 
3d. That in general it is communicated by contact of breath. 
4th. That it cannot be eradicated by treatment. 
5th. That those cattle which apparently recover are the most dangerous, as 
they are liable at any time to come down with the disease a second time. 
6th. That by care it may be prevented from extending from one herd to 
another. 
The appropriation for the expenses of the commission was $5,000. There have 
