CONTAGIOUS DISEASES IN CATTLE. 
The measures necessary for preventing their introduction into the 
UNITED STATES AND CANADA. 
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Gentlemen: 
I hope I may be excused for venturing to introduce this subject at 
this meeting—instead of a more scientific disquisition on some abstruse subject of 
Veterinary investigation ; my object in doing so is to enable us to embrace this great 
opportunity of drawing the attention of the people, the press, and the legislature 
of these two great .agricultural and stock raising countries, the United States and 
Canada, to this very important subject which has been too long neglected, but which 
for the safety of these countries shall be so no longer—that of making some provision for 
the prevention of the introduction of those contagious diseases of cattle which have 
from time to time visited most of the European countries, carrying death and destruc¬ 
tion from end to end of the land, followed by famine, disease, commercial depression, 
and all the miseries attendant on such a deplorable state of affairs. 
At no time in our history did this subject claim attention so urgently as to-day— 
for at no time since its discovery, did America command so much attention as a great 
source of meat supply both in the living and preserved form. Within the last few years 
the shipment of cattle and meats to Europe, both from the United States and Canada has 
assumed the proportions of a most important branch of commerce, which if judiciously 
managed, and the present healthy condition of our stocks maintained must soon be¬ 
come a rich source of wealth to both countries, and a great boon to European working 
men, to whom from the present high prices of inferior and often diseased meats, a roast 
of beef or a leg of mutton are luxuries rarely indulged in. 
When we consider the enormous wealth represented by live stock in the United 
States and Canada, (in the former 100,322,600 animals which at a moderate valuation 
amount to the vast sum of $1,647,719,138, in the latter 7,982,355 equal to $133,866,567) 
we will be able in some measure to comprehend the great responsibility resting on 
the governments of these countries. In dealing with perishable property no people 
are more shrewd than we on this side of the Atlantic. As is evidenced by the 
prosperity of our insurance companies, we will readily pay large insurance premiums 
for the protection of our property, go to great expense of fire engines, fire compan¬ 
ies, alarms, &c. We will spend freely millions of dollars on the paraphernalia of war, 
