RECOVERY OF CATTLE. 
419 
As soon as the cattle owners discovered this they hurried their 
cattle off to the neighboring State of New Hampshire, saying “ that 
all the cattle needed for their recovery was the pure air of the hills and 
pastures.” 
In due time it was announced that the disease had broken out in 
that State. Considerable alarm was excited, and a Board of Commis¬ 
sioners was appointed. The new Massachusetts Board resolved to visit 
and confer with the New Hampshire Commissioners, in order to effect, 
if possible, a concurrence of action of the two boards. 
On our arrival we were received by a number of the New Hamp¬ 
shire Commission, who invited us to visit a farm where there was a 
pair of oxen, one of which was sick, the other had 1 'ecovered. When we 
reached the place we found forty or fifty farmers and cattle owners 
present to witness the proceedings. At that time no appropriation had 
been made by the legislature. Accordingly a subscription paper was 
passed around, insuring an indemnity to the owners in case the legisla¬ 
ture failed to respond. 
Sixty dollars were obtained, and the ox was killed. One lung was 
found to be entirely solidified. I then requested that the other should 
be slaughtered, physical signs revealing existing disease, but it was with 
considerable difficulty that a sufficient amount could be obtained by 
subscription, because the animal “had recovered.” He stood in the 
yard, ruminating, apparently perfectly well. The farmers said that “ it 
was too bad to waste so much property.” 
Finally the ox was despatched. After removing the ribs, slight 
pressure was applied to the anterior portion, and the knife inserted into 
the posterior. A column of pus, probably not less than a gallon, 
escaped. The lung was then removed, and found to be entirely sepa¬ 
rated from its investing membrane. 
Undoubtedly this did much towards bringing about unity of action 
between the two States, and by which the malady was effectually 
stamped out. Much of the opposition with which the Massachusetts 
Commission had to contend, was caused by the reports that the cattle 
would recover. I trust that my friend, Dr. Michener, will embrace 
every opportunity to demonstrate the incurability of this disease, and 
become convinced that the stamping-out process is the most effectual 
and economical method of treating contagious pleuro-pneumonia. 
West Newton, February, 1878. 
