The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-06-19
THE CATTLE DISEASE.

Some sixty members OF the MASSACHUSETTS
Legislature, including the committee who are
investigating the subject visited the farm of Mr.
Winthrop Chenery, in Belmont, on Saturday, for
the purpose of witnessing autopsy of diseased
cattle. The disease was first discovered in Mr.
Chenery's herds, having been introduced there by
an importation of cattle from Holland The disease
has run through this herd, destroying about fifty
per cent of the whole number. Those living,
although apparently well, have the sequel of the
disease in chronic form.
1t was mainly with view of developing the
disease in new and different aspect from that
presented in the incpent and acute at
Brookfeld that the examination of subjects in this
herd was made. Upon the arrival Of the Com
missoners yearlng calf was selected from number
of others fit subject to illustrate the effects of
the disease in cases where the animal has been
sick, and to all external appearance has recovered
The calf was taken sick in October last, and for
four or FIVE weeks was so i'll as to take no other
nourishment than cruel poured down its throat
During the last three months the creature has
gradually regained its appetite and consequently
its strength, and was supposed to be recovering.
Still it coughed, and upon percussion exhibited
dullness the right side and strong tubular
respiration.
The necessary preparations having been made
Mr. Commissioner Lothrop introduced DIR Martin,
who stated in brief his diagnosis of the He
expected to find the most disease in the right lung
and no doubt adhesions. The calf was killed, the
right shoulder and ribs removed, and the chest
laid open by Drs. Dodd and Theyer There was
strong adhesion of the pleura of the lung to the
ribs, diaphragm and heart The lung indica
ted that it had been compressed into a small
compass, by serum, which had in the subsequent
progress of the disease been absorbed. The wind
pipe contained secretion ofmucus which probably
produced the rafting heard before death; the
membrane of the lung very much thickened,
and the lung tissue nearly destroyed The cyst
or bag of the lung was found empty; whereas in
cases of the disease in an acute form it has been
found to contain large body of lung tissue, the
substance of the lung. The theory of those most
familiar with the prevailing disease is that the tissue
in this had been softened, and reduced to a
liquid state pus and then taken up by absorption.
The left lung was found to be perfectly free from
the disease. The not fair sample of the
disease, but it nevertheless demonstrated the theory
of the Commissioners that cattle once sick will
never fully recover.
The next animal killed was a COW, which was
brought into MIR Chenery's herd in December last.
She had never exhibited any signs Of disease
beyond slight cough. and an external examination
before death failed to discover any indications. As
the animal had been exposed to the infected herd,
it was matter of curiosity to ascertain whether
she had taken the disease. Upon careful dissec-
ton OF the lungs the disease was found to exist In
an incipient stage. The heart soft and fabby
in all cases of this kind and there were other
indications of the prevailing contagion. This
closed the investigation. The committee and
medical men seemed to be divided in opinion as
to the nature of the disease and the best means of
Graduating it. There was strong disposition on
the part of many to establish theory of their own
and several gentlemen did not hesitate to condemn
the course adopted by the Commissioners.
The disease is said to have made its appearance
in some Of the lower counties of Pennsylvania.
Within short time farmer in Bucks county lost
nearly all of his valuable herd of COWS, of a COM
plant said to resemble very much the dreaded
cattle disease.