112 
PLEUROPNEUMONIA 
The Commissioners were also notified that there were sick cattle at the barn 
ot Martin Beatty in Lexington. On examination, an ox (the mate had been 
killed by order of the selectmen) and a cow with diseased lungs were found. 
Isolation of the whole herd was continued until June lGth, w'lien, in company 
with the recently appointed Commissioner, F. D. Lincoln, Esq., of Brimfield, the 
herd was again examined. No evidence of disease was apparent, excepting in 
the two above mentioned, both of which were diseased to an extent that would 
not justify the return ot the animals to the owners. Accordingly, both were 
slaughtered. The autopsy of the ox showed that the lower portion of the right 
lung adherent to the ribs, a diseased mass of lung tissue, was encysted and float¬ 
ing in pus. In the cow, the left lung was diseased; otherwise, the condition 
was similar to that of the ox. 
From the history of the cases, and the pathological appearance, it was evi¬ 
dent that the disease in both animals was of long standing, and as no other cases 
occurred, the remainder of the herd was released from further isolation. 
On the 10th of May the Commissioners received a notice from the selectmen 
of Lincoln that the disease existed in the herd of George Nelson, and that the 
animals were kept isolated by their order. 
Two cows had died, oue on the 17th of March, the other on the 4th of May; 
several others had been sick, and were much emaciated. Generous diet was 
ordered and isolation continued. On the 27th, one of the cows, being greatly 
emaciated and evidently much diseased, was killed. A considerable mass of 
disease was found in the right lung; the formation of pus had commenced. The 
heid was kept isolated until August 3d, when three were selected as having 
diseased lungs, and a fourth did not thrive. It was decided to have the four 
slaughtered. The autopsies justified the decision in the three; the fourth was 
healthy. 
June 3d. The Commissioners visited the farm of Levi Smith in Ashby. 
One of a pair of oxen purchased in Marlow, N. H., and kept in the Box Tavern 
stable in Stoddard, on the night of the 24th of March was found sick, the right 
lung being extensively diseased. The autopsy disclosed the right lung wholly 
consolidated, and weighing by estimate, at least twenty-five pounds. 
Mi. Smith was confident that his herd would not take the disease, as the ox 
was removed soon after the sickness commenced. 
On the 2d of July uearly every animal was sick. Two were selected for 
experiment; the remainder were slaughtered on the 3d of August, and all but 
one were diseased. 
July 15th. At Boxborough the Commissioners found two cows isolated by 
order of the selectmen, one of which showed symptoms of lung disease; the 
remainder of the herd had been turned to pasture, consequently were not in tit 
condition for examination. 
On the 29th, on examination, all were found healthy, excepting the one 
sick at the former visit, which had died and been buried several days. The 
body was exhumed, and the right lung was found to be diseased with contagious 
pleuro-pneumonia, so called. 
Early in May, the Commissioners were requested to examine the herd of 
T. E. Cutter, in Lexington. Upon examination, all appeared healthy. The 
owner being absent at the time, no information could be elicited. In June, it 
