( 12 )
We have confined our remarks thus far to the purely therapeutic and remedial measures
be enforced in cases of actual disease. There yet remains an even more important branch
of the subject to be noticed, viz., the prevention of the disease and the checking it when once it
has shown itself in a District, village or homestead. To fully enunciate our views on this most
important subject, would carry us far into the recognized and admitted rules of general
Hygiene, a science which of late has become generally studied, and which is working out
much practical good. Without asserting that fresh air, fresh pure water, absolute cleanliness,
wholesome and properly proportioned food, and a regulation of temperature will, com-
bined, form a complete barrier against the attacks of all diseases of a malarious or epizootic
nature; we are yet justified in advancing the opinion that these, which may be not incorrectly
termed the foundation of Hygiene will so modify and dilute, if we may be permitted the
expression, the epizootic " influence" or poison, that the disease will be of comparatively
insignificant importance and danger. In proof of this we adduce the numerous instances
which have already been brought to notice of dairies in London having wholly escaped the
Epizootic there, owing to their advanced hygienic state, whilst others in their immediate
vicinity have been actually swept away. Too great stress cannot therefore be laid on these
points as protective against Epizootic disease; but should the disease effect an inroad, the
question of how to check its further spread is one of the utmost importance. Prompt and
complete separation of the healthy from the affected and suspected cattle is to be enforced. To
effect this it may be a question as to whether the still healthy cattle should be removed to
another and an untainted spot or the diseased animal taken to some place especially set aside
for its reception and treatment. The latter will be the more generally feasible plan, but when
it is practicable to remove the unaffected cattle, we believe this proceeding the more likely to
be successful in checking the disease ; this may, however, involve constant change, and thus
render its being fully carried out in the great majority of cases impracticable.
In the Mofussil where occasionally almost unlimited space is at command, this course
should, we think, be insisted upon ; early separation, however, is absolutely to be carried out,
and not only of the animals themselves, but of every article they have come in contact with
that can be removed ; and fixtures must be at once and thoroughly disenfected. Straw, dung, hay,
troughs, and such like should be removed, burnt or disenfected ; the stall in which the animal
stood should not be again used, but thoroughly cleansed out and disenfected; and it would be
well were some cheap disinfectant sprinkled over the stalls containing the healthy cattle ; night
and morning a small quantity of McDougall's disinfecting powder might be dusted lightly
over the stalls and sheds. Mr. Murray, in a letter to the Times, says he has long adopted
this course in his stalls at Manchester with excellent result, and " the cost does not exceed one
penny per week per horse." All animals dying should be buried without a moment's delay,
not skinned ; and no animals should be allowed to approach the burial ground until some
time has elapsed since the last interment.
Although in the Epizootic of Calcutta condition appeared to be no protection, yet, as a
general rule, we should expect to find the poor, ill-fed and dirty cattle more susceptible, and
their physical state should be improved as far as possible.
The question of inoculation has been mooted, and by some the experiment has been
strongly urged ; we learn that it was tried in 100 cases on the Continent and that all died. — (See
"Veterinarian" of 1857, page 527, a Report of Central Society of Agriculture of Prance.)
There are accounts also of its having been tried in Africa and Australia, and with success;
but. so far as we learn not for the disease we have been treating of, but for " Pleuro-pneumonia"
and we believe the two Epizootics have been not unfrequently confounded. Should the disease
again appear, the practice of inoculation may be, and will be, here tried, and the results made
known. It would be most hazardous to recommend the experiment, except as an experiment, and
one on which we are quite unable at present to risk an opinion.
We would suggest that wherever there are large gatherings of cattle, as at some of our
large Fairs and Agricultural Exhibitions, a veterinary surgeon should be officially appointed
to inspect all cattle brought to these places, and any cattle suffering from any disease should
at once be removed and subsequently dealt with, as the Inspector in consultation with the Police
Authorities might deem expedient. Should the cattle be condemne to be killed, the owner
might be wholly, or in part, remunerated for his loss.
Having thus submitted our views of the nature of the Calcutta
zootic and its treat-
ment, we may conclude this paper by a brief summary.
1st.—The cattle disease, which assumed an epizootic character in Calcutta in 1864, was
not the result of the herding together of cattle at the Exhibition ; nor did it break out there ;
it existed in a grave form prior to the Exhibition,
2nd.—The disease is of a highly infectious and contagious nature, but we have no
grounds for concluding that it was imported into the neighbourhood; it had existed in a
sporadic form for years before it assumed a true epizootic character.
3rd.—The symptoms, progress, and great fatality, all lead to the conclusion that it is the
same disease as that known as the Rinderpest, which always exists in certain parts of
Russia, and is the same Epizootic as that at present raging in England.