The Sun.
London, England, 1865-08-07 00:00:00

The Cattle Disease.

The following letter, relating to the cattle plague,
has been addressed to the Clerk of the Council, by
Professor Simonds, of the Royal Veterinary College:
" Royal Veterinary College, Aug. 3,1865.
" Sir,—l beg to submit for your consideration the
following suggestions, which have for their object
the arresting of the cattle plague, which unfortu-
nately is now prevailing in several parts of the coun-
try as well as in the London dairies. Under such
circumstances it is much to be feared that, unless
farmers, stock-owners, cattle dealers, and others
whose interests are immediately involved, cordially
co-operate in the endeavour to quickly exterminate
the disease, wherever it may appear, it may assume
a magnitude rightly to be regarded as a great
national calamity. For this end it is important
that all persons should know,—
" Firstly. That the disease specially belongs to
the ox tribe, and that it has never been known to
attack any other domesticated animal.
" Secondly. That it is the most infectious, as well
as the most fatal of all diseases attacking cattle, and
that it lies dormant in the system from seven to ten
days, or often longer, before the animal gives any
indications of being infected.

" For these reasons it is imperatively necessary
that the 'following precautions be observed :
" 1. That all newly-purchased cattle of every
kind be kept apart from others for a period of not
less than twelve to fourteen days.
" 2. That every cattle-owner keep a strict watch
over his stock, so as to recognise the first indica-
tions of the disease, and as soon as aty of these are
manifested call to his assistance the professional aid
of a veterinary surgeon. The early symptoms of
the disease are usually a remarkably dull and
dispirited condition of the animal, which will stand
with its head hanging down, ears drawn back, and
coat staring, refusing all food, and occasionally
shivering. A watery discharge flows from the eyes
and nostrils. The skin is hot, but sometimes chilly,
the temperature varying from time to time. The
extremities are cold ; the breathing short and quick,
being not unfrequently accompanied with moaning
as an indication of pain. A slight cough is some-
times present. The inner part of the lip and roof
of the mouth is reddened, and often covered with
raw-looking spots. The bowels are occasionally
constipated, but in most instances •diarrhcea soon
sets in, the evacuations being slimy and very fre-
quently of a dirty yellow colour. The prostration
of strength is great, the animal staggering when
made to move. In mulch cows the secretion of milk
is rapidly diminished, and soon ceases altogether.
" 3 That all infected cattle be instantly removed
from the healthy, and placed in situations as far from
them as possible. As a further precaution it would
be well to have the healthy washed and cleansed.

4. That no cattle, the subjects of this disease, be
allowed to remain in any meadow or pasture field,
unless they can be isolated from all other cattle, as
well- as kept at a distance of not less than a hundred
yards from all roads along which cattle may be
driven.

5. That every animal which is violently attacked
with the disease be killed at once, and buried with-
out delay,* and that the skin be placed in some dis-
infecting fluid before being sent off the premises.
6. That no cattle be allowed to go near to the
burial place until several weeks have elapsed.
7. That no person who has the charge of the sick
cattle be allowed to go near the healthy ones, awl
that all indirect communication between the infected
and the healthy be strictly prohibited.

8. That no fodder or straw which has been used
about the infected be taken to other animals, or even
thrown into the fold-yard or upon the manure heap,
until it be first well sprinkled with chloride of
lime or some other disinfecting powder. When prac-
ticable it is desirable that all such fodder and straw
should be burnt.
9. That all sheds and stables in which diseased
cattle have been located be thoroughly washed,
cleansed, and ventilated, and likewise disinfected by
whitewashings with quicklime, before any other
cattle are placed therein ; and that during their
occupancy by the diseased all manure and evacua-
tions be mingled with some disinfecting agent be-
fore being taken away.

jv
10. That all railway cattle-trucks, station-ponds,
ships used in the cattle trade, wharves, and other
places where cattle arc brought together, be kept as
clean as possible by frequent washings ; and that
disinfectants be used whenever there is reason to
believe that they have been occnpicd by diseased
cattle.

11. That no store stock, mulch cows, or cattle of
any kind which have been exposed to the infection,
by being located with the disease, be sent to any fair
or market in less time than a month after such ex-
posure; and that iu all cases in which it is deter-
mined to stay the progress of the disease, by killing
animals so exposed, they being at the time believed
to be fit for human food, the animals be sent direct
to the slaughter-house when not killed on the pre-
mises of the owner.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN.

Mr. C. E. Stewart, the secretary of this com-
pany, has sent us the following statement With
a view of making the public aware, at the earliest
period practicable, of the dividend likely to be de-
clared by this company at the ensuing general
meeting, I am authorised to slate that the accounts,
though not yet finally audited, or approved by the
board of directors, indicate a dividend, for the past
half-year, at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum."

NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE.
The report of the directors states that the depres-
sion in-the iron trade alluded to in the last report
was greatly increased by the strike of the puddlers.
The entire suspension thereby occasioned of me of
the staple trades of the district, combined with the
recent Parliamentary reduction of tolls on the
canal, had caused such a falling off in the revenue
that the directors were unable to recommend a divi-
dend at the rate of more than 3i per cent. per annum
for the half-year. The strike in North Stafford-
shire having now terminated, it was expected that
trade would resume its former activity. The goods
and cattle traffic for the half-year ending the 30th
of June amounted to £102,807, and the number of
tons carrted to £734,361, against £103,743 for the
corresponding half of 1864, and 770,832 tons car-
rier, showing a decrease of £1,936 in the receipts,
and of 36,471 tons. The receipts for the convey-
ance of 947,867 passengers, &c., were £45,959,
against £45,323, for conveying 801,466 passengers
in the corresponding half of 1864, showing an in-
crease in the number of passengers of 146,212,
and in the receipts of £636. The tolls on the canal
amounted to £36,504 for 705,685 tons, against
£46,217 for 804,087 tons in the corresponding half
of 1864, showing a falling off of £9,713 in receipts
and of 98,402 tons. The increase in the number of
passengers was attributed to the running of short
trains at low fares between the towns in the Pot-
teries, consequent on the opening of the Hanley
and Bidduiph lines for passenger traffic. The bill
for the loop line to connect the Pottery towns with
the main line had passed last session with a few un-
important alterations. The works on the Chester-
ton branch were nearly completed. The Leek line
and the Burton branch were progressing satisfac-
torily, and it was expected they would be ready for
traffic towards the middle of next year. Prepara-
tions were in progress for the construction of the
Macclesfield, Bollington, and Marple Railway, to
which the company were subscribers- of half the
capital. Of the £355,000 new preference 5 per
cent. stock the shareholders had accepted £213,457,
and a further sum of £79,000 was disposed of at a
premium, which would go in diminution of interest.
The account showed that £4,627,027 was expended
on the railway, and £1,170,000 on the canal, mak-
ing 1.5,797,027, leaving a balance of £269,086. The
total traffic receipts on the railway for the half-year
amounted to £162,301, the expenses to £75,095,
and the balance to £87,206. The canal revenue
amounted to £55,067, the expenses to £29,190, and
the balance to £25,876.