RINDERPEST. 
163 
harmless. Ordinary variations of temperature above the freezing point, 
and the varying humidity of the atmosphere, have so little effect on the 
poison, that their influence need not be considered. We can shut our 
eyes, then, to these, considered as agencies affecting the propagation of 
the disease, and take into account extreme high and low temperature 
only as affecting the virulence of animal products—such as skins, wool, 
flesh, fat, etc.—the high temperatures rendering such articles safe ; the 
low serving only to perpetuate their virulence. 
In the New World we are happily safe from any danger of infection 
through the atmosphere, and may thus concentrate our attention on the 
various modes of possible infection through diseased animals, or other 
objects upon which the poison may be preserved. 
IMPORTED STOCK. 
The danger attending importation of cattle from infected countries 
is so patent to all that it would be absurd to insist upon or illustrate this. 
But as it is on this important particular that the treasury circular of 
March 22d especially comes short, it will be necessary to say a few 
words on the subject. The first sentence of the circular formally pro¬ 
hibits the importation of cattle, the last sanctions their importation when 
blooded , and accompanied by a consular certificate ofi non-infection. Now, 
a consular certificate is in some sense a precaution, as it presumably, 
states the number, sex, age and colors of the animals shipped, and 
affords a ready test as to whether any have perished on the way ; but 
as regards proof of non-infection when shipped, it is no better than so 
much waste paper. The infection in such cases is usually contracted 
after the start, as from railroad cars, strange stables, infected quays or 
ships, infected fodder, and the like. In reality, the fact of importation 
is as perfect a guarantee as any consular certificate can be, as no pur¬ 
chaser would consciously start across the Atlantic with infected animals. 
But what are the facts with regard to former importations of disease 
here and elsewhere ? The introduction of lung fever into the British 
Isles, in 1839, was made in blooded (Dutch) cattle imported by a friend 
of the British Consul at the Hague, for the improvement of his home 
stock. The same disease invaded Sweden and Denmark, in 1847, by 
blooded (English) cattle ; Norway, in 1860, by blooded Ayrshires; Olden¬ 
burg, in 1858, and Schleswig, in 1859, in each case by blooded Ayrshires; 
Austria, in 1858, by a blooded (Shorthorn) English cow ; Brooklyn, in 
1843, by a blooded Dutch cow; and Boston, Mass., in 1859, by Mr. 
Chenery’s celebrated blooded -Holsteins. The foot and mouth disease , 
