Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-04-21

Spread of the Cattle Disense.-The SlauGh-
ter Suspended.-ETect upon the State
and County Fairs.-HistOry of the Dis
ease.
The developments made by the commits
sioners of the cattle disease, during the last
forty-eight hours, are of a very serious and
important character Something like panic
seems to prevail among the farmers in the
infected districts, which the commissioners
have not taken very wise or very active meas
ures to allay Assuming that the reports of
the great prevalence of the disease are cor
rect, the appropriation for its suppression will
prove very far from adequate, and we learn
that an application has been made to the gov
ernor for an extra session of the Legislature to
consider the subject. The disease appears to
be scattered all over the towns in which its
existence in individual cases has been discov-
cred, and the commissioners regard another
appropriation as indispensable. Under the
existing difficulties, the Boston Journal says,
'it is thought to be injudicious and unadyisa-
bic to hold a state fair this year, and from the
same cause the annual county cattle shows
will not probably be held. The assembling
of cattle from all parts of the state would
prove very injurious to the best interests of
not only agriculturists, but to consumers of
beef and milk, in places remote from the in
fected localities"
With regard to the suspension of the work
of slaughter the reports seem to be somewhat
uncertain and contradictory. The governor
.+l, A.
sioners, Friday, who proposed to take further
sanitary measures, and pursue more thor.
ough Investigation of the nature of the disease.
For this purpose council of eminent medical
and scientific men is to be summoned, For
the present trade is suspended and cattle are
forbidden, under penalties, to be sold, and the
commissioners have ordered the herds to be
kept closely on their premises. The physi.
clans thus far are not agreed either as to the
nature of the disease, or the proper remedies to
be applied. The history of the disease in this
country, which it may be interesting to refer
to hereafter, is thus stated in the Springfield
Republican,
In the month of May, 1859, there arrived in
Boston, from Holland, four Dutch cows, direct
ed to w. w. Chenery of Belmont, These
cows were black, thick-sknned, large, and
said to be great mixers On landing they
appeared hungry, thirsty, and neglected, and
one OF them, it is said, had not been on her
legs for twenty days. Two of these cows were
so feeble that they had to be carted to Bel
mont, some six miles from Boston. A few
days after arrival, on the 31st of May, one of
the COWS died. On the I'd of June a second
died; and on the Both of June a third The
fourth is now alive and doing well. In all,
Mr. Chenery has within year lost twenty
seven head of cattle OF other importations. then
on his premises. The disease was not suppos.
ed contagious till recently. Last June, Curtiss
Stoddard of North Brookfeld bought three
grade Dutch calves of Mr. Chenery and brought
them home. One of them was taken sick
about the first of August, and YVES finally tax.
en- 10 his fathers, Mr.. Leonard Stoddard's, to
be doctored. 1t was placed in his barn bv the
side of other cattle and died there about the
first Of September. Mr.. Stoddard, being a
trading man. sold the other two calves to Mr..
William noane, one of which has died and the
third lives. In November last the younger
Stoddard had an auction, and his stock were
purchased by the farmers of that region.
About two months ago, Mr.. Stoddard being
logging near Mr.. Allen Woods house, nut his
cattle in the barn to feed, and as a consequence
Mr. Woods has lost his entire herd In No
F6MDeT ldsl, WI. 1alueH OlllSLSdu bWappeu
cattle with Mr.. Stoddard, and hence his herd
became infected Similar results have every
where followed similar exposures.
The commissioners yesterday visited Barre
accompanied by the Drs. Bates of this city
and DR.. Thayer of Newton. Several herds OF
cattle were examined, and two were killed
belonging 10 Pliny II. Rabbit and Arson
Rice-both free from disease. 1t is proposed
to visit North Brookfield again today, when it
is expected the governor will be present and
some definite plan determined upon, Mr..
Fay, one Of the commissioners, has resigned
his place, on account OF the arduous services
required, but will continue to serve till the post
is filed.