The Kenosha telegraph and tribune. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1859-1860, 1860-05-10
The Cattle Disease /:


1t may be remarked, that | had pres
viously made two importations of cat.
tie from Holland, and the extraordinary
superiority of the animals received
from that source, in comparison, either
with our native or any Of the foreign
breeds heretofore imported, induced
me to increase my stock of Dutch cat
tie by further importations, rather than
wait the natural increase from those al
ready imported.
Accordingly in December, 1858, /
transmitted an order to my correspond
ents in Schiedam, Holland, instructing
them to employ competent person ex-
pressly to proceed to the north of Hol-
land and make selections of the best an
imals that could be obtained without
regard to the expense. Following my
instructions, four COWS were pro-
cured from Purmerend and the
Beemster, and were duly shipped at
Rotterdam, and were duly shipped on
board the bark 81. G. Humphreys"
which vessel sailed from that port early
in April, and arrived here on the 23d of
May, 1859.
Upon examination the COWS were
found to be in an extremely bad condi-
tion,-very much bruised and enact
ated, -one of them, as the mate of the
bark stated, not having been on her feet
for the twenty days preceding her ar
rival another one was totally unable to
walk, and these two animals were &C
cordingly carried to the farm..in wagons
the remaining two were driven ut.
Deeming it impossible for the first
mentioned COW to recover, she was on
the 91st Of July, slaughtered, land on the
I'd Of June following the second COW
died. At that time, in common with
every one knowing the fact in the case,
was so fully persuaded that the bad
condition Of these animals was caused
by neglect on the voyage, that l libelled
the vessel and went through q course of
$3.50 worth of law in my endeavors to
obtain indemnity for the loss, but the
law is uncertain, and the bark went on
her way. My mind, however, remains
with regard to the treat
ment the animals received on the voy-
age.
The third COW of this importation
seemed to be doing well until about the
goth of June, when she became sick and
died in ten days after. The fourth COW,
Lady Beemster, has down to this time
shown no indications of sickness, but is,
on the contrary, in thriving condition.
Early in the month of August follow
ing, symptoms of disease were observ-
able in the Dutch COW, Lady Louise,
in 1922 She died on the
goth of the same month. About this
time several other animals were taken
sick in rapid succession, and then it
was the idea was first advanced that
the disease was identical with that
known in Europe as "Epizootic Pluro.
pneumonia" From that date every
possible precaution was taken to pre-
vent the spread of the supposed distem
per, strict orders having been given that
no animals should be allowed to leave
the farm nor any strange cattle to come
upon the premises. A temporary build
ing was erected in pasture at consid-
cradle distance from the farm-barn. to
which the animals not infected were re.
moved, and disinfecting agents were
used about the premises, &c.
The following extract from my letter
book, IN answer to an application for
stock during the prevalence of the dis.
ease, will serve to show my views in re-
gard to it at that time: 81 am, at pres
ent, obliged to decline any application
for stock, owing to an epidemic disease
in my herd. The disease is that known
as 'Pleuro pneumonia l have already
lost seventeen head, and have ten more
very sick. | am using every precau-
ton to prevent the disease from spread
ing, and you will of course see the pro-
pr lety of my refusing to allow any an
NAL to leave the farm until the infection
has ceased"
1t is manifest that the means used TO
prevent the spread of the distemper
have so tar proved eminently successful.
lnasmuch as, Notwithstanding 7 have
lost some thirty enthusiastically half Of
my whole herd-there has not been a
single case of the disease elswbere in
the neighborhood of my farm.
AS there seems to be an impression
abroad that the disease in nv case was
confined exclusively to the Dutch stock.
would remark that suck is not the
tact; on the contrary, they have. com.
comparatively, been more EXEMPT from
1t than any other breed. It is not how.
ever, confined to any particular breed,
or TO any age or sex, as the full GROWN
OK the mature COW, and the young cali
nave been alike Frustrated by it and
OF the animals lost, five were tborouob.
bred Dutch, five Durham, one AYRSHIRE
one Guernsey,two Jerseys, five Deyons
two Natives (all the natives on the farml
and the remainder were grade Dutch.
There has been no new case of sick.
ness IN my herd since the death of the
mammoth COW Lady w ASKING ton. which
occurred on the 9Th of January. and |
am therefore induced to believe, that. SO
Lar as my animals are concerned, the
disease has run its course.
From the foregoing remarks. if will
be perceived that some months aoo
when the disease was raging. / beliey''
ed 1t to be infectious or contagionc hn+
: Confess mess tnat more recently the convic-
tion mas forced itself upon me that il
was OF an entirely local character that
the lungs ofthe cattle had become dis.