Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-05-31
CITY AND COUNTY.
Worcester Agricultural Society.

V, and to consider the matter OF dispensing
with the exhibition of neat stock at their next
annual show. The president, VIM. ). Lincoln,
Esq, introduced the subject to be discussed,
by abiding to the great danger of the spread
of the disease, by the bringing together oil
large numbers of cattle, some of which might
be infected and thus give it to the whole He
stated that the society could vote to suspend
the exhibition of the neat stock, merely, or to
suspend the show of cattle entirely; he
thought the former plan preferable, because 1t
was necessary to hold a show, in order to raise
funds to meet the interest on the debt Of the
society.
Hon. John Brooks of Princeton, and others,
advocated this plan, and motion embodylng
it, offered by Mr.. G. C. Sanborn of Westbor.
ough, was passed unanimously; consequently
the show will come off as usual, with the ex-
cepton of beef stock The question of alter
ing the premium list was suggested by Mr..
Keith, in consequence of the preceding vote.
Mr.. Brooks of Princeton would leave the lists
as they are, and simply announce the suspen-
sion of the exhibition Of neat stock, as the
legislature may withdraw the annual appro-
priation for agricultural societies, and devote
it to the work of eXterminating the malady.
He made motion to that effect.
Hon. Levi Lincoln urged the holding of a
show on one day only He hoped that the
blowing match and the drawing match would
be suspended also. He then asked Mr.. Brooks
to accept an amendment to his motion, which
contemplated the annual show except of neat
cattle, to the effect that the show shall be re-
stricted to one day, that the blowing match and
drawing be omitted, that further action be
postponed till after the action of the legislature
and that the trustees be authorized to act upon
the matter.
Mr.. Brooks suggested that blowing match
might be arranged for horses, and be suffi.
cienlly interesting to warrant it. Mr.. c. B.
Pratt hoped that the matter would be referred
to the trustees, being confident that they would
be convinced of the propriety of holding two
days show. Mr.. Flagg supported the same
idea 1t was finally voted to refer the subject
to the trustees.
Hon. John Brooks of Princeton then answer.
ed the request of the members, and gave an
account of his investigation into the pleuro-
pneumonia. He believed it to be contagious,
but not epidemic-that it was taken by con-
tact, but not in the air. He had visited sew
era places and examined cattle He found no
traces in Holden, Lancaster, Lexington, &C.,
but in Pepperell he found COW with the dis
ease, and which had probably given it to an
other A disease had made its appearance at
Hisboro', N. H., supposed by the inhabitants
to be the pleuro pneumonia. He believed that
the commissioners should have ample power
( and funds from the Legislature to enable them
! to accomplish the work. Much doubt and
uncertainty existed among the members of the
society as to the liability of the state to be
compelled to pay for all the animals killed,
whether they are diseased or not. One sec
ton of the law says =
''The commissioners shall cause all cattle in in.
ected herds not appearing to be affected by the dis
ease, to be appraised before being killed, at what
would have been their fair market value if the dis
ease had not existed; and the value of the cattle
thus appraised shall be allowed and paid out of the
treasury of the commonwealth to the owner or own
thereof.n
DIR. Bates stated in reply to inquiries made
by Gov. Lincoln, that pleuro pneumonia cpl
zootic is contagious disease, and not infec
tious. COntagon differs from infection, conta
gious diseases, being impaired by direct or indi
rect contact, as the diseases Of small. pox, mea
sizes, scaratina, and infection communicated by
impure or contaminated atmosphere, as fever
of ships, ill-ventilafed apartments, &c. He ha(
noticed that the cattle which had been wei
kept have resisted the disease longer than thu
others, also that the bull resists longer thai
the OK, and the heifer longer than the calf
The cattle, during the early part of the dis
ease, stand most and exhibit it but little
when it is advanced, they lay more, and dis
play evident difficulty to breathe, and seek t.
assume position which gives the chest anC
the lungs liberty. He did not believe a COW
which had had the disease for a fortnight wa
worth curing. He had no confidence in the
system OF incubation, as ohe-tenth of the wei
animals noculated died of the disease.
Gov. Lincoln sustained the course the state
commissioners had taken as having been wise
and prudent, and thought the destruction o
the diseased animals the only way to eradicate
the malady. He spoke at some length, advo
eating tie complete isolation of all herd;
which had been exposed or were suspected
Each town, and the owner of each herd in the
Comm should look out, and ac
promptly for selfprotection
Hon John Brooks, one of the committee Of
the State Board of Agriculture, to look into
this matter, in response to questions from
members, explained the course the commits
sioners had taken He did not believe cure
after being infected, possible. Killing was the
only remedy, to save others. Eight hundred
and fifty head of cattle had been killed, at al
$4,000 had been subscribed by private indi
viduals which would not be paid unless the
State agreed to do it. But the Legislature
would without doubt make full appropriation
for the whole amount.
After further remarks from Harvey Dodge
Of Sutton, Gov Lincoln, Maj. Reed of Prince
ton, and others, Hon. John Brooks, and the
president of the society, VIM. S. Lincoln
were chosen delegates to appear before The
Legislature in behalf of the society, and ad
vocate the appropriation to pay for the ami
mails killed. The delegates were also instruct
ed to urge the Legislature to pass an act pro
hblting the passing of cattle in the highways
and their passing from one town to another
the selecmen to notify the commissioners o
all violations of such law.