The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-06-22
s. l.. G00DALE,
A. N0URSE,
T.. HOLMES.
Augusta, June l3, 1860.
ADDENDuM.

ADpENpuM.
A few remarks regarding the history of
this disease i'm other countries may not be
without interest, and we accordingly add
that Its origin is very uncertain. Epizootic
diseases of the respiratory organs have ragged
at various times in Europe for more than
hundred AMI fifty years past, but the earlier
ones, Judging from the accounts given, were
not identical with the present pleuro pncu-
monia. 1t appears, however, that one ex-
actly analogous to this has existed for an un-
certain length Of time in Switzerland, Hol-
land, Germany, and other parts OF sEaroPe,
and has been attended with great fatality
Ii appears, also, that this disease was intro
duced from the continent into Ireland, and
that in the spring of 1911 1t crossed the
Irish Chanscl into the western part OF Eng
larnd, and following the course Of the Irish
lrovcs, gradually appeared in various drcc-
tions. Prof. Simonds says sit destroyed
great numbers Of cattle, and not only were
tho hopes of tho farmer blighted, but in
many cases il effected his ruin" Mr.. Nc
Gillayray, V. s., in his essay on Plcuro Pneu-
monia, published in lSi9, says, "The i'm
mense value of live stock in Great Britain
shows their importance as forming very
large proportion of the national wealth |;
moreover, it is stated, on high authority,
that the annual loss from disease among our
domesticated animals, is about Gl0, 600 600"
1850, 1000, ,O00) and adds his own b"licf in
the truth of the statement and although he
docs not state the exact proportion of this
amount due to plcuro pneumonia alone, we
nav Judge from the connection in which the
paragraph appears that he deems il very
considerable one. IL remains still both on
the continent and in Great Britain, and IL is
only by the most vigorous sanitory measures,
embracing the killing of diseased animals
and the complete isolation of all which have
been exposed, that il has been kept in check.
The disease was introduced into South AZ
rica, about six years ago, by bull from llol-
land, brought thither to improve the breed
II there spread with great rapidity there be-
ing no enclosures, or any adoption OF sanita-
~ measures, and WIS exceedingly fatal IN 50
much that II rarely spared over five out of a
hundred. Hundreds of thousands OF animals
perished. incubation, which has in Europe
Welded somewhat contradictory and unsatis-
factory results, was tried, and found effective
in saving from third to two-thirds, IL per-
formed before exposure, and skillfully done.
Judging from analogy, we cannot SEQ how
incubation should be of any avail with this
disease. Ii is well known that some contag-
ious diseases can be readily communicated
lrum animal 10 animal in this method, and
that the disease thus taken proves less dan
gerous than when taken by tho "natural"
Il n,,t -. ia tn ha
remembered that the disease in both is essen
tally of the same nature and affects the sime
parts of the system but inOculated pleuro-
pneumonia is asserted to produce no disease
of the lungs, but only local effect upon the
tail or some other part distant from the lungs.
IL is possible, however, that as this distem-
per fails in many respects, TO follow the laws
which govern disease in the human system,
there may be some preventive efficacy in the
operation; but the results Of experiment
upon some thousands of animals in Europe,
furnish little ground for confidence in the
operation.
In 1917, this disease was brought from
England into New jersey, but its contagious
and deadly nature being early discovered, it
was Immediately and eiiectually cxtirpted
by killing the herd, involving q sacrifice, it
is said, of about $4,000, which was borne
by the proprietor. Wha: contrast does
the conduct Of such man present, compared
with that Of one who, for thirty pieces Of
silver. would consent 10 sell diseased ami
nal to 90 into healthy district!
Quite recently this disease was carried
from England into Australia. AS soon Us
discovered, the most active measures were
adopted. The herd was killed, the loss
shared by those interested, and at the last
accounts the success was deemed complete.