The New York herald., 1879-10-01
PLEURO-PNEUMONIA.
MR.. JAMES d. HOPKINS READS PAPER ON THE
CoNrAGIoN BEToRE THE FARMERS CLUB

MIR. JAMES D. HOPKINS READS A PAPER ON THE
coNrAGIoN BEYoRE THE FARMERS CLUB
ALMOST A NATIONAL CALAMITY"
At the meeting OF the Farmers Club of the Ameri-
can Institute yesterday Mr.. James D. Hopkins read
. paper on the .Ifistory Of Pleuro-Pneumonia
Contagion in New York and Vicinity" Mr.. Hop
kins a veterinary surgeon, is associated with the
State commission investigating the causes of this
disease among cattle in this vicinity and taking
measures to eradicate the same. In 1S43. he said,
pieuro- pneumonia was introduced into Brook
lyn. and continued in Long Island until
1872, and made great havoc among the stock
of many OF the Long Island farmers Within
the last years the disease made ex-
tensivs inroads among several large dairies.
The cattle trade before the appointment of General
Patr ck, had safeg yards against the introduction
OF injected beasts among herds free from conagion
one infected animal quickly spread the disease from
stable to stable 1t has assumed such proportions
to become almost q national calamity. Mr.. Bergh
has done good service in waging against those
vho by neglect and aided the spread of
the disease. Remonstrances made to the
ment but without avail. At length the notice of the
British government was called to the question and
American cattle wore excluded from not only British
ports but also many other European ports.
The speaker then gave succinct history of the
Organization of tho State Commission ard the efficient
work done by General Patrick and his assistants. A
critical examination OF ali the stables nfected dis
tricts was made, and no permitted to pass
Through the streets without General Patrick special
order. The lines were thcn drawn closer. and the
work Of official examination thoroughly carried out,
thus establishing complete quarantine. The work
not that attracted the hearty cooperation Of
agricultural societies and authorities and newspa-
pers. Still. by constant adherence to the
principles which swayed the commission, and
energetic work. the results accomplished are
vcry great. Regarding the stamping out process.
by which opposition is raised all hands, consid-
Grafton must be had for the magnitude of the task
and the need for Immediate prevention of the spread
of the disease From April TO September II this
year there arrived in New York 1872 fresh cows all
Of which wore critically examined. Within the Same
been inspected in New York. Of which G7 stables con-
tanning 40 COWS. have boen found inspected and
quarantined and 10l cows have been found suffer-
ing from peuro-pneumonia But the State Commits
sion's labors cannot be made efficient without
similar restrictions in neighboring States. 1t
question that becomes OF national i'm
portance and should be dealt with by
country. Mr.. Hopkins thon suggested that
many eminent veterinarians have recognized
tho existence of contagious pleuro-pneumouia in
the United States and have mapped out the in
fectcd districts and as the presence of this disease
in this vicinity has almost destroyed New York's
export trade In 1.-Two cattle. appropriate should
be taken by tho club. The inaction OF tho authori-
threatened with this pestence, and tho eradication
= OF the plague is matter Of national Importance
Mr.. Hopkins then read q series of resolutions call
ing upon the national government to take measures
to stop the plague and upon Congress to appoint
commission Tor the purpose. He invited the nlefn-
bers the club to visit the stables In the infected
districts with members of the State Commission.
Professor Law, OF Cornell University and several
medical gentieincn then discussed tho question at
lonnth.