70 
PLEURO -PN KUM< >N IA. 
PLEURO-PNEUMONIA, 
REPORT OF THE CATTLE COMMISSIONERS OF MASSACHUSETTS 
RELATING TO PLEURO-PNEUMONIA IN 1863. 
{See page 30.) 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives :— 
The Commissioners on Contagious Diseases of Cattle, in their annual report 
stated that the disease (pleuro-pneumonia) had not a visible foothold in Massa¬ 
chusetts, not a case having been presented since August last; but on Wednes¬ 
day, February 11, 1863, their attention was called to a sick cow in Waltham. 
On examination, pulmonary disease was apparent; and on inspection of the 
other cattle in the herd, another cow was found to be suffering from loss of ap¬ 
petite and difficult respiration. Both came from Brighton market about five 
weeks previous. 
The first mentioned cow died after, a sickness of about ten days. The 
autopsy revealed the peculiar characteristics of coutagious pleuro-pueumonia in 
the acute form. The other cow, after a sickness of four weeks, being unable to 
rise, was killed, and on examination of the lungs these presented the appearances 
common to the disease in its more advanced condition, exhibiting the diseased 
lung tissue in an encysted form. Both of these animals had been removed from 
contact with the rest of the herd, consisting of twenty-one head, yet on exami¬ 
nation yesterday, March 25, two more exhibited, in a marked degree, the early 
symptoms of pleuro-pueumonia. 
Whether the disease in the present case came from other States, where it is 
known to exist, or from some secret hiding-place in this State, is not known, 
and on account of the immense traffic in cattle it may be difficult to ascertain • 
yet the Commissioners believe that, with the hearty co-operation of all cattle 
owners, it can be controlled here, and it is deeply to be deplored that other 
States where the disease exists do not adopt similar measures with ours for its 
extermination, for, should it extend to the vast herds of cattle in the western 
country, the losses would be incalculable. 
In view of the foregoing facts the Commissioners recommend that the Legis¬ 
lature appropriate the sum of $5,000 to meet the present exigency and such as 
may arise during the current year. 
Respectfully submitted. 
E. F. THAYER, 
For the Commissioners. 
Boston, March 26,1863. 
