Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-06-24
the CaItIe disease in Europe

We often hear of its ravages in Europe but we
doubt whether 1.-THE Of our readers are aware OF
the extent to which it has prevailed there, and the
| enormous expense which it has entaied upon the
| Government of Great Britain alone. We copy the
following article from the New York Tribune giving
an account of the ravages of the pleurO-pueumonia
| in England, in IVA and in Holland in 1851.
"ln l744 a farmer, residing at Poplar, In England
imported two calves from HollandI under circum-
stances exactly similar TO those attending Mr.. Chem
erys importation. Starting from this point, slowly
at first but more rapidly as more means for its pro-
pagaton were offered it spread over the length and
breadth of the land destroying hundreds OF thOus-
ands of CATTLE and continuing its devastating effects
with almost unmitigated severity down TO l744-5.
Notwithstanding the deep and painful interest which
disease excited and the efforts made by the gov
eminent to stay its ravages, it was ascertaiaed by
one of the Commissioners appointed To investigate
the matter that in Nottinghamshire alone 10000
head of cattle persisted in six months, and II Che
shire upwards of 10000 in the same space OF time
By special act Of Parliment orders were given.
lst For the killing of all the injected animals,
and burying them entire with the skin on 'slashed
from head 70 tall that they might not be used for
the purposes of manufacturing
ID For the burning of all the straw and hay used
about the animals.
sd For the cleansing and fumigating of the sheds,
etc and for no sound cattle to be put in them for
two months after the removal Of the diseased.
4th. For no recovered animal to be allowed to 60
near others for month after its conYalescence.
or to markets. for the flesh to be used for dogs,
9Th. For no healthy cattle to be removed from
farm where the disease had prevailed in less than
month after its disappearance.
And lastly, orders were given for the notice of
an outbreak to be Immediately sent by the farmers
to the proper authorities.
In one year the third Of the existence Of the dis
ease eI35 900 were paid out Of the public treasury
as a recompense for the cattle killed according to
4b hni
of cattle killed because more or less infected
and nearly double that number died OF the disease
The prompt action Of the Government, although
il did not eradicate the disease yet much diminished
its ravages, and undoubtedly shortened the period
of its soiourn in England.
In 1857 over $4,000 head of cattle were slaught-
cred or died. in only fortythree villages In Holland
causing distress among the peasantry of lament
able nature. What distress equal mortality
among the neat stock of American farmers, most Of
them not over rich, would OCCASION may be imag
ined Let pIeurO-pneumonla once get to the prairie
country of the Wes. and sweep away 20 per cent Of
the cattle from which this city Is supplied and what
yyould he the effect upon the railroads and cities
that even under existing circumstances can barely
hold their own! We therefore think 1t highly nee
essarv that Ohio Indiana Illinois, and, coming east
ward. Pennsylvania New York and New Jersey
should take their precautions before tsy are lnvaa
ed by the disease. A competent commissioner should
he chosen BY each of these States 70 60 10 MBssa-
chusetts investigate the disease, and report TO nrlI
several Legislatures the means Of prevention found
efectual, that the necessary legislation might az
once be taken.
Once let the malady pass the boundaries Of the
State, and an irretrievable injury may have been
done. 1t is almost unsafe TO purchase head q
stock from Massachusetts,, for, however remo4
from the infected district they may have been dis
eased by reason Of contact with some animal expert
"a thence. When the State Commissioners are pre-
pared 70 announce to the public which towns are
and which are not infected, the butchers in this
city, and stock-grOwers and farmers througnour
the country, win at least be able 70 purchase under
standingly.
As il IS now infected cattle from Connecticut al-
lev or other parts Of Massachusetts,, may be sen 70