The Portland daily press., 1862-07-31
COMMUNICATIONS.
Contagious Pleuro-Pneumonia.

The history of this disease in the United
States presents some features of interest to
the cattle growing community and perhaps
not less so to all who eat beef 1t was brought
into Massachusetts, about three years ago. by
means of cattle imported from Holland by Mr.
Chenery of Belmont. In his buildings its raw
ages were very much aggravated. during the
next winter, by want of ventilation. 1t did
not spread, however, beyond his own premises
until he sold some calves to go to North
Brookfeld, where it spread with rapidity, and
caused much alarm. The Legislature took up
the matter, and appointed commissioners, who
killed the sick and also those which had been
exposed, and the disease was supposed to be
eradcated; but last year il broke out again,
having leaked through somewhere or some
how. The former commission having expired,
the Legislature provided for new one The
Council were so skeptical as to the reality of
a dangerous contagious disease, and so fully
believed that the alarm was causeless, and the
proposed expense needless, that they put on
the commission two of their own faith, togeth-
er with one who had seen the disease and
knew the truth of the case. They were soon
called upon in their official capacity to inyes-
tigate and take action. The "logc Of facts'
was sufficient to convert them speedily. Last
month (June) they issued circular to the
farmers Of Massachusetts,, of which We give
an extract below
"The disease termed pleuro-pneumonia has
appeared in several herds OF cattle in the east
ern portion of the State during the present
season. The State Cattle Commissioners have
adopted the most effective measures to prevent
its dissemination. All cattle that have been
exposed, with the exception of four, have been
destroyed. These were sold and lost sight of;
search is still made for them. The Commits
sioners have been forced to this mode by the
logic of facts. These have been scrutinized
with the utmost care and vigilance. No OPP
portunities have been suffered to pass without
Improvement, and no efforts have been regard
ed as vain which promised to throw light upon
the origin and characteristics of the disease.
Two of the three Commissioners commenced
their labors with feeling that by careful in
quiry, and by thorough examination they
should be enabled to demonstrate TO the pub
lie the inexpedency of the action of the for
mer Board of Commissioners, as well as the
groundlessness of the apprehensions of many
inu regard to the fatal character of the disease
bsx ,2t persons had published treatises
to prove that pleuro-pneumona was generated
In poorly ventilated barns, and was not nfec-
tious. The facts, as developed to the Commits
sioners, have constrained them to discard their
first impressions, and to deny the positions of
the various writers before alluded to- They
have, moreover, thoroughly convinced them
selves that the worst apprehensions in regard
TO the diseases are well founded and wise.-
They have found the disease prevailing in
barns of every variety of structure, and Of all
degrees of ventilation, and even in the open
fields. They have traced it from root to
branches, whittier it flows as surely as the sap
flows in trees. They do not find single case
outside of the line of transmission. As surely
as every riyulet tends towards the sea, does
each case connect itself with its fountain head.
The conclusion is irresistible, that if any dis
ease be infectious this one is.
Farmers of Massachusetts be not beguiled
into false security. By efficient regulations
and prompt action. this fatal disease may be
excluded from the limits of our State. But in
this matter the price of exemption is eternal
vigilance. BE on your guard; keep all un-
known and suspected cattle far from your
herds. See that no stray cows are allowed to
wander in your streets, and even take care to
know the state of each herd whence come
cows to be served by your bulls. Especially
be cautious as to the cattle sent to distance
in the country to be pastured, and do not al
low them to be returned to your farms in the
fall without clean bill of health. BE not
afraid OF being thought 'fussy;" and, in partic-
ular, place no reliance upon the theories of in
experienced or prejudiced parties who may
strive TO persuade you that this disease is not
infectious, or that animals which have once
had it and have recovered are safe compan-
ions for other cattle Total abstinence from
all that can contaminate is the only safety
This is our faith, the result of our study and
experience"
Speaking of the disease in New Jersey, they
say:
"They visited herds which had been infected
with the disease found some where a large
portion had died. They killed and examined
sick COW, and identified the disease with that
in Massachusetts In all instances where it
existed it had been introduced by cattle brot
from Philadelphia. The apprehensions of the
farmers in that region had been aroused and
the Commissioners found that species of iso-
lation had been resorted to; but this was far
from being thorough and efficient. Cattle were
allowed on the highway, even in some of the
Injected districts. Very erroneous impress
slons existed in regard to the character of the
disease, even among those who were called to
treat It, Attention was given only to such an
lmals as had come down with the disease and
attempts were made TO treat these by various
remedial processes, and those which lived. and
recovered their vital energies were regarded as
safe-an error, than which, none more fatal ex-
lists. 1t has been demonstrated TO the Com-
a