The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1860-06-22
THE CATTLE DISEASE.
LFronllthe Boston Atlas az Bee j

The legislative committee, Yesterday after
nooa, resumed and finished their investigation
in9relation to the cattle distemper. John A. An
dl ews, Esq, addressed the Committee in which
remarks he SAID we fall into the error of taking
coincidence for consequences too much given
TO booking at the outside withou: examining in
10 the subject. There is nothing IN any disease
but may be cured, but what had been done !
fear has not served to give much information as
TO this disease. Why should you not establish
a conHnIssion or series OF commissions to trace
this disease down to its starting point. All dis
eases have their causes, all have abnormal toun-
dationS, and the result can be traced back to
the cause. Some have thought this like the
smallpox or other contagious diseases, but no.
body knows anything about it. Our Commits
siUurrs have not attempted 10 classify the ca
Ses of this distempeI the most that they have
tried 10 do is to trace each separate case back
TO case of the same kind from which it was
inherited. Now, unless a kind of careful and
exact examination is entered into, nothing def
mite can be arrived at. The SPEAKER was not
bold enough, not being physician, TO suggest
4 course of procedure for the Commissioners,
bat he thought they should submit The disease
to the fullest investigation OF modern science,
Through the appointment OF one or more com
missions, to act separately or conjointly, as may
be thought best.
DIR. Loring made some remarks, in which he
sad he thought the statement that nothing had
been done or brought TO light by the Commits
sioaers was all wrong. The Commissioners
haSe tried TO lay before the public, through the
cooperation of the newspapers and otherwise,
the facts and the advance they made in their
work, and these facts show TO the contrary to
what the gentleman that bad just preceded him
had stated. Il appeared :he disease was first
known in this country at Belmont, and rapidly
traversed to North Brookfeld. The speaker
then gave history OF the disease in Europe
with which this is identical.
The question is, is this disease contagious.
On this subject we have vast deal of opinion,
both here and in Europe. Prof5 Morton and
Simmons in the mother country, both veterina-
ry surgeons, have given IT as their opinion that
it is contagious. The Commissioners have done
all in their power, feeling that they had the
virtual cooperation of the farming community,
and that the Legislature would second their ef-
forts.
Ifanything can be done TO give light upon
the disease let us have that, but in Heavens
be done sure, and first, and then we will learn
as 70 the causes.
The Commissioners accepted their task, not
knowing the full extent to which they would
have to act. The disease was at first supposed
TO be confined to a small locality, bnt has pro-
we'd otherwise, and as we have done we ask your
careful consideration.
THE CATTLE DISEASE IN NEW JERSEY.
MEETING OF THE STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
A special meeting of this Society was held at
! Elizabeth, on the 9th inst, called to consider
! the cattle disease. The President, Mr.. N. N.
Hastead, stated the object of the meeting. The
! report of committee appointed by meeting
l in Morristown, was made by Mr.. d. B. Logan.
The recommendation made by them, that the
Governor call an extra session of the Legislature,
1 excited much discussion.
Gov. Oden submitted paper rmbodying his
views, which was read. He recommended
/ that the Society prepare an address to the peo-
pie, to embrace the following points:
First, when and under what circumstances
I the disease appeared in Europe. Second, the
l time and manner of its introduction in Massa-
chusetts, and its progress in that State. Third,
/ al! that is known of its introduction and prog
| ress in New Jersey. Fourth, symptoms of the
disease and its contagious character. Fiji, ,the
difficulty of ascertaining the length of time that
elapses between the inception and the full de-
l velopment OF the disease. Sixth, the Importance
! of averting its ravages by promptly enclosing
herds that are infected, IN places where 1t is i'm
possible for them to come in contact with other