The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-02-27
The Cattle Plague-The Possibility of the
Pestilence Coming Hete.

The Cattle Plague-The Possibility of the
Pestilence Coming Hete.
From the Times.
The murrain among cattle in Great Britain has
reached an alarming extent. Since July last,
1870, 900 head have been attacked, Of which only
$1,000 have recovered. The pecuniary loss Is
estimated at about $1,000, 900 in our present cur
rency.
History shows us that some of the great MUIR
rains of the past have carried off millions OF cat
tie in some countries, leaving almost desola'
ton behind. In England now it is said that
many farms are nearly abandoned, and poverty
has followed this fearful pestilence where com.
fort used to dwell, The poor rates are inoreas-
ing rents cannot be paid, and panic has
stized the whele country. Parliament has found
1t necessary to discuss the cattle plague before 1t
took up Fenianlsm, or the American question, or
reform. ....
IN one OF the important sources OF their wealth
the herds OF their tenants-tho loss OF which
threatens both their rents ana their freedom
ffom poorrates. The towns and cities dread
what to an Englishman would be as bad rs q
pestilence--a meat famine. Prices of beet have
rise immensely, and it Is expected that good
beef will soon be slxty-tWo cents, in gold,
pound in the London market. The business
community look uneasily to this disease as a
pi in its effects, OF financial panic and
the conservatives tear its influence on the labor
irg classes. 1t is no doubt tremendous ca
lamlty to Great Britain, nor have as yet any
m cans been discovered for lessening it.
WThose cattle seem to do the best which are
Kept entirely alone. When the disease has
fairly discovered itself in herd the only
course seems TO be to slaughter all not yet
attacked, so as 10 be able TO make use Of the
carcasses; and as general thing those that are
sick should be Immediately killed. and all
remnants of the body be carefully buried or
burned, so as not to convey the infection to
others. strict quarantine and separation are
attempted to be enforced, but with little sue
cess fin many cases. The experiment. OF vaccl-
nation, which for q time seemed to promise
well, is now, we believe, considered failure.
Nothing as yet has been discovered which
appears likely to check the plague
The feeling against the Government Is bitter
and excited, for not having organized some
common means through the country OF alleviat-
ing OF remedying the disease, and for not having
appointed scientific commission to experiment
on its cure.
No doubt the meat famine will be met in Eng
land by immediate imports from every country
which can export beet with profit to the United
Kingdom. The freedom from the restrictions on
trade has put Great Britain in wonderful con-
dition to bear any such loss, and to receive i'm
portstlons from the whole world. Sailed meats
too will come in, and especially those canned
and preserved meats which are now SO economic
cal means OF condensing the cheap product oi
the savannahs of South America.
But the question for us in America will soon
be-Will the cattle plague come here? What
shall we do to avert It?
A murrain over pastural and agricultural
country like ours would be an immeasurable
calamity, and no means should be spared to pre-
vent it, or to ascertain methods OF curing 1t.
The early passage OF the law preventing all i'm
portation of animals from abroad was wise
measure. Still the ma,ady may creep in through
the importation of hides or SKINS, or by ships
COWS, or in some unexplainable mode.
We trust that our agricultural societies ant
wealthy farmers will early take the matter up
and appoint committees Of investigation tx
obtain all the latest results of science in the
treatment and the means OF averting the pesti
lence. The State Legislatures should do the
same, and even the formation OF Congressiona
committee would not be an unwise moVemen
for an object 50 vitality affecting the Interests o
the whole nation.
1t is asserted that the French method OF treat
ment has been far more successful than thC
English. This claim should be examined, ant
the facts ascertained. We hope and trust tn 4
we shall escape tt cattle plague; but II we d.
not, let us be all torewarned and forearmed.