The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-08-14
THE CATTLE PLAGUE.


Responses 81 Governors Ward and Fenton-
Report ef The Sanitary Cen..ittee.
Governor Ward, Of New Jersey, has signtned his
compliance with the suggestion OF the BOARD Of
Health In the appointment Of inspectors at all the
points where railroads enter the state and At their
several termini near New York with instructions tn
III "A re. ~ An. the prohibition to
the transit OF cattle through the State having been
removed, to permit only those to 60 forward which
are thoroughly healthy, and quarantine all diseased
and all that have been exposed to contact with the
drippings and excrements Of diseased cattle. ..
The following letter explains itself;-- -. ~
STATE OF NEW YORK, ExEogTIvE DrrAarxzSra
Hon. GEORGE B. LINCOLN, President asropo,sS D' Board
Of Health, New York City,
on, :Ssss:So. Sf Ar. sss!os .
ton Of Mayors OF Albany nal,sd 10 III 10
jec and has also communicated with The suthories 81 Dun.
ns s s Sos sss e 81. s:
nm. ssn cattle
that the Of diseased cattle win
Very respectfully, DANIEL w. MERCHANT,
Acting Private Secretary.
The following is the report of the Sanitary Com
mttee OF the Board OF Health on the cattle disease
METROPOLITAN BOARD OF HEAtrH,(
NEW YORK, August 13, 1858. (
In view OF the rapid spread Of the malignant
disease that has burst forth as an epidemic among
herds OF cattle in certain portions OF Illinois and
poian district of New York and the most popuOus
portions OF the Eastern and Middle States, this
Board OF Health has endeavOred promptly to do
whatever lies In its power TO prevent the introduce
ton OF such cattle and to exclude all such beef from
the markets In this district. And however greatly
1t LIZ regretted tat farmers and the holders OF the
infected and sickly herds must suffer personal
losses and Inconvenience the act Of bringing for
ward and offering any such animals for food must
be regarded az very gross offence against the lives
OF our fellow beings. The investigations made by
scientific and experienced officers Of this Board have
hQf fha Nochn ~ thaco
diseased animals cannot safely be used for food.
The Information now before us clearly shows that
llgnant disease which has been brought eastward
from Illinois and Indiana should be regarded and
az on OF any seK or ec me
sicky districts to other States should prohibited.
The Offering Of any such diseased animals, or any
portion OF their esh for sale for food within the
Metropolitan district Of New York will be regarded
as culpable offence against the sanitary ordinances
relating to markets and food articles and will be pun
ished with the heaviest penalties the laws provide
No relaxation OF this order OF the Board can be
From the first hour that any officer Of this Board
had information OF the probable presence or ap-
proach OF the infected herds near to New York the
and absolute exclusion Of these cattle and every
portion OF their flesh from the markets. The greatest
diligence and all available means have also been
employed in the investigation Of the pathology and
character OF the disease and its morbid results In
the organs and flesh of the sick cattle. Yet look
to the proper authorities Of the districts In which
the disease s spreading to give to these latter sub
jects the Investigation that is needed. Plainly
enough IL Is pestiience that may seriously affect
the public health II it Is not stamped Out, - at
least kept we'll isolated.
The sanitary interests of New York and a reasona-
bic regard for the public health throughout this State
and other communities that are similarly exposed,
has made 1t duty of this Board publicly to express
measures adopted here and elsewhere for the pro-
lection OF the markets and the people against all
diseased beef. In response to the request OF the
officers OF this Board the Governors OF New York,
New Jersey and Pennsylvania are cooperating for
this purpose, And IL IS plainly necessary that this
effort should extend throughout all the States
westward, and particularly in those districts
where the disease Is prevailing And 1t is earn
mensurate with IFS severity. he forthwith adopted
by authorities having jurisdiction In all exposed
districts 1t is respectfully recommended that what
be very rigorous quarantine and isolation OF all in
fected or sick cattle and that such cattle shall in
case he moved except as hereinafter recommended
also that whenever the disease appears in transport
trains or boats or in the herd yards, thorough dis
infection shall be adopted, and the sick animals be
immediately slaughtered or be kept isolated under
sanitary care.
DIslNFEcrIoN OF CATTLE YARDS AND CATTLE TRANS
PORT CARS.
The Metropolitan Board OF Health earnestly re-
commend that upon every line Of railway upon
ported from Illinois eastward there shall he suit
able application OF disnfectants.
WHAT DIsINfHCrANrs TO USE AND HOW THEY MAY
RE APPLIED.
Carbolic acid is the only one 70 rely upon. Use
the crude and cheap fluids known heavy oil OF
coal tar or the coal tar ITSELF upon yards paths and
all the drOppings and manure. The cheapest kind
Of carbolc acid will be best upon the floors and sides
OF cattle ears. There should be a complete coating
or wash Of these sprinkled the entire surface
that Is To be disinfeced. Grounds and paths should
first receive thin coating OF quick lime, and upon
this sprinkle the heavy oil OF tar from common
watering pot. The floors and sides of foul cars
should be thoroughly mOistened with carbol;c acid.
II may be applied with sprinkler or brush. Manure
heaps and droppings from Western cattle should be
carefully disnfected with q sufficient quantity OF
quick lime and heavy oil or crude acid.
A barrel two the OF 'heavy OIL Of
good coal tar, would be sufficient quantity; and q
pint or carbolic acid, diluted In 1fy parts water,
would suffice for q sixteen head cattle car.
The Sanitary Committee and Corresponding Secre-
tary Of the Board OF Health having been directed to
prepare statement with suggestions in regard to
preventive measures against the cattle disease, re-
specially submit the foregoing 10 the public
STEPHEN SMITH, NJ. d..
Chairman Sanitary Committee.
GKO y. LINCOLN. Pres. Met Board OF HEALTH.