CONTAGIOUS DISEASES-NECESSITY FOR LEGISLATION. 
321 
the prevalence of diseases amongst domestic animals. There are 
probably no means more likely to demonstrate the value of the 
veterinary art to this country than the publication of facts to prove 
how much it suffers from losses by disease amongst animals. It 
is much to be regretted that such a state of affairs should be said 
to exist; and it is very unfortunate that, instead of the question 
of preventing disease in stock, being freely discussed by farmers, 
it is never alluded to in their meetings or societies. It is quite 
evident that prevention is better than cure, and certainly far more 
profitable than to sell, or kill and bury diseased stock. 
The various European Governments have long ago adopted 
ample means for obtaining a useful and timely knowledge of the 
prevalence of diseases among both man and animals. During 
more than a hundred years, veterinary science has been fostered 
by these Governments, and by their organized and successful la¬ 
bors, the members of the veterinary profession constantly prove 
how much the farmers and proprietors of animals in general are 
benefitted thereby. The prevention of diseases of animals is re¬ 
garded as the business of these Governments ; and the sanitary 
laws and regulations of each country are enforced with the ut¬ 
most solicitude and punctuality. 
It is the wonder of all civilized nations, that we Americans, 
with our boasted superiority in other matters of national interest, 
so utterly neglect this essential branch of agriculture. Here it is 
the business of no one to protect the lives of thousands upon 
thousands of dying animals, and the result is loss to the nation 
and ruin to individuals. The deepest ignorance prevails among 
the most intelligent people regarding disorders affecting the lower 
animals which are very common, and there is a tendency to seek 
for cures and specifics, whereas proper preventive measures would 
at once arrest such diseases. Many disorders prevail to a con¬ 
siderable extent, with the true nature of which nobody seems to 
be acquainted, and the existence of which is only casually learned 
through official sources. It is well known to the medical profes¬ 
sion that there is a remarkable connection between certain diseases 
in man and the lower animals; and it is certain that many severe 
attacks of disease in man can be traced to unwholesome animal 
