Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1860-05-03
SRIaRTFUL RAvAGEs OF THE CAT.
TIE DIsTEMPER.
Whit Of Gov. Banks to the Infected Dis
trict-The Killing Of the Animals
Full Description of the Epidemic.

From the Boston Atlas and Bee Of April %.
The alarming extent 10 which the cattle
disease is spreading is now attracting the
attention OF farmers, beef dealers and beef
eaters, dairy men and cattle raisers over
the whole of New England. When the
amount of capital invested in cattle is con-
sidered, and the extent to which the pro-
ducts Of the dairy, SIS we'll as the meats,
contribute TO our comfort, il is not strange
that the attention Of the New England peo-
should 5e aroused. As We have already
stated, more Than $4,000, 600 is invested in
neat cattle in the State of Massachusetts,,
and the value OF that kind of stock is larger
in proportion 10 the whole wealth, in the
States Of Vermont New Hampshire and
Maine. II the Obstructive disease should
once spread over New England millions OF
property must be sacrificed, and We can
imagine what must be IFS ravages should
Al once get smong the great herds of the
middle States. or the roaming herds Of the
West, and the Southwest. Once abroad in
America, as it has been in England, in Hol-
land, and in other countries in Europe, it
will bring great loss, suffering and some
times ruin, upon one Of our greatest indus
trial interests,
From the representations made BY the
Commissioners and others, Gov. Banks, on
Saturday visited the principal locality of
the disease, and in company with the Com
missIoners and others gathered such infor-
nation as they were able concerning the
disease, the extent to which it has spread,
what means will be required TO check it as
will enable ..lhem TO proceed with good
judgement.
At North Brookfeld Gov. Banks met
Mr.. Loihrop and Hon Anassa walker, of
the Commission, Col. Lincoln, President OF
the Worchester County Agricultural Soci-
ETY., Drs. Dsdd, Bates and Thayer, the We
niciary surgeons by whom most Of the ex-
amluations have been hitherto made, and
some other gentlemen from adjoining towns.
They at once proceeded TO such investiga-
lions as they were able TO make in the space
Of time allotted.
TEE PRINCIPAL SEAT AKp ORIGIN OF THE
DISEASE.
As we have before stated, North Brook.
field, on the high land in the western part
Of WUrches.er county, is the place where
the ravages Of The distemper have been
most disastrous. 1t has, however, spread,
as it is thought, into several of the adioin-
ing towns, and it is not precisely known to
what extent. 1t is quite certain that there
are cases in New Brantree, Ware, South,
Brookf.ld, Rutland. East Brook field, Barre
and Oakham. This is fine agricultural
region, noted for its dairies, and excellent
butter and cheese. The herds o. most of
the farmers are large and many Of them
carefully selected from blood stock.
The disease reached North Brook field
fom Mr., Chenery's farm al Belmont. Cur
lis Stoddard bought calf from Chenery's
herd and took it home. It was soon taken
sick, ana not knowing of The disease, ha
icck the calf TO his fathers, Leonard Stod-
dard, to be treated. He was a very large
farmer, u man of great activity, trade cattle
largely, and had on hand large herd, 10
which the contagion was communicated
Once in this large herd the dstemper
spread IN all directions. Several of Mr..
Sloddards cattle were taken sick abeu, tw
weeks alter The calf was brought there, and
in abau, ten or fifteen days died. The
farm Of Mr.. Sioddard is fine one, cou-
pie Of miles north of North BrookfieId vii
large, on high, undulaiine slopes, and in a
nsishorhood noted for its fine farms. Thi.
section OF the town has become entirely de-
populated Of lis cattle.
THE ExiMIyA TIoYs.
The examinations made on Saturday
were in this neIghborhood- first ON The
farm of Mr.. Alden Olmsiead. As we mass.
ed up The road but few cattle were seen,
but the silent iarm-yards and The land wait.
ing for The plough spoke sadly of The disas-
tfous ravages of the distemper. In some
OF the fields were seen fresh piles Of
earth where the cattle had been buried, and
in other rows oil holes dug to receive those
which are 10 be killed, or which might die.
On one hill in the distance farmer was
pointed out busily at work with his oxen
which had been condemned by the Commits
er, but intent on accomplishing his work
before their slaughter. In other fields men
were busy digging graves for their herds.
Arriving al the farm OF Mr.. OImstead thew
found herd Of fourteen, out of which two
had been killed and seven died. Beside.
these, were spring calves. They were
feeding, and, 10 The common observer.
there was nothing particularly indicating
disease. Some OF them stood with their
backs slightly arched, and their heads droop
ing little. What was more observable, on
q closer examination, was a certain unnat
ural expression Of the eye, which was
slightly glazed and dull, as il the animal
was suffering from pain Otherwise the
herd la"ked well, most of them in good or
der, and soms of them apparently, in per-
feet condition. They were all condemned
The examination is ma lie by sounding III.
lungs. This done by rapp.ng with The fin
gers on the ribs, just back of the wither.
and near the back bone. II the animal i.
untouched by the disease, they are resonant
but il the distemper has fastened upon them
they give back dull sound. The reason
Of this, as we shall explain more fully, j,
that by the Inflammation of the lungs they
are enlarged, so that the cavity in which
they are situated, instead OF being hollow,
is filled up. Some idea Of the extent Of