, 1860-05-14

Proceedings In Maa.4chusetts In ReIa-
tl0n Thereto.
GREAT FATALITY.


The Commissioners charged With the duty Of
investigating the nature and e1tent Of the cut
tie disease in North Brook6eld and vicinity,
aud empowered to use all necessary means
looking 10 its eradication, visited North Brook
held yesterday, in company With agents Of sew
bare been invited to send delegates for the pur-
pose Of securing the advantages of personal
observation Of the alarming character and ex-
tent Of the disease.
OPERATIONS OF TIE COMMISSIONERS.
But two Of the Commissioners Hon. Amssa
Walker, and Paoli Lathrop) we're present at th,
examinations yesterday.
The first herd visited was that of BENJAMIN
W. Dean, which had four separate exposures to
the contagion, but which two weeks ago were
professionally examined and are pronounced
sound.
On Tuesday further and more particular e1-
animation, By means of sounding the chest,
showed every animal to be diseased-a rapidly
Of development partly attributable to the
sented most miserable appearance, but their
forlorn aspect appeared to be quite as much due
TO insufficient feeding as to the disease itself.
The barn was nearly destitute Of hay, and the
cattle we're not allowed to range tie pastures.
II anticipation Of the grazing season, Nr. Dean
are suffering the consequences. Their half
starved condition will materially lessen The val
uation By the Commissioners, and the sale Of
the hay may prove to be poor speculation.
The hay went te livery stable in South Brook
field and to farmers in the immediate vicinity
OF Mr. Dean. How much the disease may have
been distributed By this means is not known.
The first animal dissected exhibited the dis.
ease in its incipient stage. the first lung e1-
posed was TWICE the size Of healthy organ,
aud was fastened to the diaphragm bJ false
membrane. Twas also slightly discolored. The
0fhs = 17ur Un afao fo1
and full Of air, with the connecting tissue hard
ened. liberation Wonld probably have ensued
in the course Of q werk.
The second case examined was no. 30 sd
vanced case, but the symptoms were not IN.
like those Of the first
The next case Was that Of an ex. which ex-
hibsted the usual symptoms of inflammation,
| discooration and adhesion.
| The Commissioners next went to the farm Of
| Mr. Olmstead and killed two oxen, which on
the day previous had worked upon breaking
up plow. They were taken sick in February.
and condemned about two weeks ago. The
| first OF killed was in excellent condition, and
breathed as well as usual. The first lung ex-
posed was found to have very extensively I'D
hered to the diaphragm ana ribs. The other
lung Was taking the acute form Of the disease
Both lungs weighed III pounds, or about four
pounds more than they would hare weighed in
| healthy condition.
The lungs Of the other OK exhibited thick.
ening Of the tissue. discoloraton and general in
caracitation. but not very advanced stage Of
the disease. In the bronchial tubes were dis
covered little Jumps Of fine hay, which had eth
unnatural action. OF retained there because the
lungs were too diseased 10 throw ont the irrita.
I ting substance. which had produced extravasa.
ton.
The next examinations were made upon three
Of the herd Of William Doane. The first case
bat - IL. At
ease to the herd Of Mr. 0lmstead. The mate
which was badly diseased, was killed week ago
Although there oxen carried the cisease to The
cattle Of Mr. 0lmstead, the litter we're the firs1
to develop tue symptom E. In fact, although the
disease WAS introduced into Ar. Doare's herd
six months ago, its existence has but recently
been discovered. The rate of progress appears
to depend upon the natural constitution of The
animal, and also upon the condition OF the barn
in whicn it is kept. In tight barn the disease
| develops more rapidly. In an open barn where
the air circufates more freely, the disease re-
mains latent d much longer time and the closest
| observer may be uuat1e to detect its exiatence
until it exhibits itself in IN advanced stage.
The symptoms, in some respects, seem to bt
quite analogous tu those Of consumption. Tht
active form of the disease sometimes disappears
and complete cure seems to have take place
but this condition is almost Immediately sue
ceeded By relapse, or the breaking ou. Of ths
disease in another portion of the lungs.
The second case examined in the herd Of Mr.
Doane Was that Of a COW apparently well in ev
err respect, except SO far ~ the reverse was in
dicated by sounding the chest, which in all ca
sss Of tile disease gives forth dali, heay1
sound, produced by The enlarged lungs con,lnl
in contact with the ribs. Yesterday moruin!
this COW gaye six quarts Of milk Tae exam,na
tson Of her lungs, however, showed tile usua
thickening Of the externul tissue and genera
progressive state Of the disease
The next case was that Of leifer, n hich
week ago was pronounced perfectly sound Yes
teraay the sounding test showed her to be dis
eased, aud the subsequent examination revealed
enlargement and discoloratlou.
The last herd visited yesterday was that 0
Roland Doane, where condemned cow and Al
OF, with the chronic form OF the disease, wer
| s3Hrfphfared