24 
and when we see the efforts that they make to check the spread of 
diseases by the organization of Sanitary Veterinary Boards, we Can¬ 
not help reflecting as to the condition of this continent, where conta¬ 
gious diseases are so prevalent in some of the states, almost without 
preparation to check their spreading.* 
The advice given by Professor Law and McEachran, in their 
papers which we published in the first number of the Review, ought 
not to be overlooked, and it seems to us that the duty of all veterin 
arians of the country is to rally together to obtain from our government 
laws to organize a Sanitary Veterinary Board, for the protection of 
our live stock. 
RABIES—ITS TREATMENT WITH XANTHIUM SPINOSUM. 
There is probably no disease for which remedies of all kinds have 
been recommended as panacea as hydrophobia, but unfortunately 
none as yet have stood the test of proper experiment. 
A short time ago Dr. Grzymala of Podolia, published the state¬ 
ment that he had cured about one hundred cases of Rabies, with the 
administration of Xanthium Spinosum. These results were so wonder¬ 
ful, and the authority of Dr. G. had such influence upon the belief 
given as to his success, that experiments were started to test the 
power of the new remedy by Professor Trasbot and Nocard of Alfort. 
* As we go to press the following order from the Secretary of Treasury has been 
issued: 
IMPORTATION OF LIVE STOCK. 
A CIRCULAR FROM THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT. 
Washington, D. C., March 28th, 1877. 
The prevalence of rinderpest in Germany, and of that malady and the foot and 
mouth disease in England, has led this department to prohibit the importation of neat 
cattle and the hides of neat cattle from those countries into the United States. By 
reason of the proximity of Holland and Belgium to Germany and of Ireland to England 
the prohibition is hereby extended to embrace such importations from those countries. 
The department is informed that rinderpest is infectious as well as contagious, and that 
sheep, horses and swine may be media for its communication. It is also understood 
that the litter upon which these animals sleep spreads the disease. 
While the department has no authority under the law to prohibit the importation 
of horses, sheep and swine, it desires that all measures practicable be taken on the 
arrival of such animals from the countries named to prevent the possibility of contagious 
diseases being communicated thereby to stock in the United States. It is suggested 
that horses and swine coming from any of the countries named be examined by experts 
and if necessary quarantined for a reasonable time; to which I apprehend that impor¬ 
ters, as a rule, will offer no special objection, as it is to the interest of all concerned to 
prevent the spread of this disease in the United States. Collectors and other custom 
officers are therefore directed to take such action in cases of this character as in their 
judgment may be necessary. 
Blooded stock coming from the countries named may be admitted when accompan¬ 
ied by a consular certificate of non-infection as authorized by the department’s letter of 
the 16th of March last. It being presumed that such stock is selected with care and 
that it would not be taken from herds which are infected with the diseases mentioned. 
