Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1879-03-06
Put down the brakes.
The Cattle PIagCe.

We have previously referred to the
fact that pleure was Origin
ally imported into this country from
Europe, that it has been confined TO
diary cattle, and has not invaded the
herds of the West and South, from
which the supplies of cattle for export
come. An expert, writing to the New
York Tribune, states that the disease
first made its appearance in this coun-
try in 1s43, having been communicated
by an imported German COW landed al
Brooklyn. 1t slowly spread among
the cattle in Kings and Queens coun-
ties, but did not attract much notice.
In 1917 several head of English cattle
were imported by New Jersey stock
breeder, whose herd was infected with
the disease by them, and had TO be
slaughtered, entailing loss Of sl0, ,00O'
In 1859 a Massachusetts stock breeder
imported four COWS from Holland, BY
whom his herd was infected. The stock
interest of the state was greatly alarm
ed; the legislature appropriated $40, ,OOO
to meet the expenses OF aggressive mes
sures to extirpate the disease, and COM
missioners were appointed, who went
vigorously to work, but 1t was not until
1867 that the disease was finally era
dicated. The disease has maintained
it's foothold on Long Island from 1843
until the present time, spreading into
the heads of New Jersey and Eastern
Pennsylvania. In 1858 the Legislature
of New York appointed a commission,
ana appropriated funds for the investi-
cation of the disease and the adoption
Of measures for checking its ravages.
The commissioners entered upon thieI
work with great energy. General M.
r. Patrick, who is one of the comsnis-
sioners recently appointed by the
Governor of New York to take meas
ures for the eradication of the disease,
was upon the com mission 1858. That
commission made a careful study OF
the methods of stock raising and the
care of cattle in all parts of the country,
and thousands of Infected cattle were
destroyed by it. Tie commission re-
commended the free use OF crude car
bolic acid as disinfectant in the yards
and stables where cattle believed to be
exposed to contsgion are kept, and also
that carbolic acid should be intoduced
in the drinking water of the cattle, iD
the proportion of one part of pure acid, !,
with thrice its weight of sal-soda to
one thousand parts of water. By the
liberal use of carbolic acid in this man
ner, the commission held that perfect
immunity against infection could be
secured. In the description of the dis
ease given by DIR. Gadsden, of Phila-
delphia, and published In The Ameri-
can yesterday, the opinion is express.
ed that the treatment of sick animals is
useless, as the disease will run its course
until death or recovery ensuses. The
facts that have been accum ulated show
that the anxiety manifested in England
lest the disease be introduced in that
country from this is immensely exag-
grerated, and Is doubtless largely the
result of the alarm of Englis stock
raisers over American competition in
their markets., The disease in this
country is localized and confined TO
diary herds. 1t has become naturlized
in England. Official reports show that
last August it Was existing In forty six
counties, and also in London, Edin-
burgh and Aberdeen. 1t will be not
enough to stamp out the disease here if
provision is not made to prevent its
importation again. For this purpose
the Secretary of the Treasury has appli-
ed to Congress for authority to appoint
inspectors at ports where cattle ship
ments are made, whose duty it shall be
to serch out infected animals. Impor-
tatioDs of cattle ought to be inspected
even more carefully, and any legisla-
tion on this subject should provide for
this BALTIC. American.