The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-05-18
The Cattle Disease in Massachusetts.

We think We have been negligent trans
hitting through our columns accounts of a
dreadful disease which is making sadravages
among the cattle Of Massachusetts. 1t is
termed by physicians pleuro- pneumonia, and
it has exhibited itself in North Brookield
and vicinity III an alarming manner. Com
missioners have been appointed by the legis-
ature to examine the herds of cattle in this
town and vicinity, and to kill those that were
infected that the disease might not spread,
sum Of money being appropriated for this
purpose. This commission have already
used up their appropriation, and it is believ-
ed that the disease is yet spreading. Emf
nent physicians believe the disease not to be
contagious, and that it will spread only BY
contact. 1t is now proposed to tax the peo-
pie 100000, to be used in the extirpation of
this disease.
Mr.. Charles l.. Flint, in his new edition OF
"Mich Cows and Dairy Farming" gives the
following statement Of the symptoms of this
somew hat new disease:
The early symptoms Of pleuro- pneumona
are often quite obscure, and would not be
perceived where the disease was not suspect
ed. and the animal carefully watched. and
perhaps nc. even then til. it had considerably
advanced. The interior of the evelids he
comes red, while in the healthy animal it is a
beautiful rose color, the pulse increases 6y.
or six beats over its usua! activity, that of a
healthy animal from five to eight Years old
being about forty-eight or fifty minute, tina,
of the young animal being quic er-.ome-
times even as high as sixty. The respira
tons are increased in activity from FIVE to
! ten Fer minute. the natural activity being a
bout seventeen per minute. The noise made
in breathing. as the ear is placed upon tn,
chest or just behind the elbow, become.
louder, and somewhat resembles the crump
/ ling of paper. If the sides are struck the an
lmal suffers more than usual. and there ap
pears morning and evening a slight, dr.,
cough, often short and painful. This i, thu
first stage of the malady, and would not at
tract attention, since the animal may still
continue to eat, drink, ruminate, labor Civ.
milk, &c, apparently as usual. In ,hi,
stage it is durable under very careful treat
mcnt.
Then the trouble rapidly increases. Tn,
appetite diminishes. there is a disinclinatior
to chew the cud, and it is done by jerks. tn,
hair is dull and staring, the temperature of
the skin and external surfaces is very une
ven, the horns may be cold and warm alter
nately, or the legs may appear very cold, an,
the horns or other parts of the body hot.
in pasture, the animal withdraws from tn,
rest of the herd in four or FIVE DAYS atte
the disease is seated, the appetite ceases en-
tirely-the breathing becomes quicker an,
more labored, the resprations increasing t,
thirty, forty or even forty-fve per minute
the nostrlls are somewhat dlated, discharg
ing light, mucous substance ANNA
lows and appears to suffer-in some cases
swels up. The COW falls off in milk Il
pressing even lightly upon the back Just be
hnd the vithers, the animal shows grea
pain. The breath grows warmer and ofte
fetid-the danger rapidly increases,of course
The animal will often press her muzze YER
hard against the partition, as if for support
and breathes from the mouth, catching he
breath with difficulty, and soon dies. Tn
progressive symptoms vary greatly howeve
in different animals, but the cough is tn
key note of the disease, and appears in al
cases.