The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-05-17
PJeurO-Pneulnonia.

pus Inflammation Of the lungs, plure and bron-
CHA. 1t has prevailed IN Europe for ages, at
times developing into widespread scourges,
causing incalcuabc loss. 1t was imported in
to England in 1929 and again three years
later; and II was estimated that within % years
thereafter the LOSSES 10y deaths alone IN Eng
land had amounted to $50 100000. III 1858
the disease was carried to Australia by an
English COW, and, spreading to the cattle rang
es, almost dcpopulatcd them.
In lS43 an infected Dutch COW bought the
disease to Brooklyn, where has since lingcr-
ed, slowly spreading among the cattle in Kings
and Queens counties. In 1871 several head of
infected cattle were imported into New Jersey,
and, spreading among Il herd of valuable cat
tie, made 1t necessary for them all to be slaugh-
tered, the only certain method Of stamping out
the disease. In 1869 four infected cows were
imported into Massachusetts from Holland;
the plague spread rapidly, and was stamped
out only by persistent effort the State paying
for over 900 slaughtered cattle. Since 1867
the disease has not been known there. Mean
time the pest had invaded Eastern Pennsyva-
MIA, Delaware and Maryland where it has
since prevailed in isolated localities. The alb
sence of large herds of moving cattle in these
districts, except for speedy slaughter, has pre-
vented the disease from developing into gen
eral plague.
The recent action of the British Council in
forbidding the importation of American live
cattle is likely to prove of incstimablc benefit
to this country, in forcibly calling attention to
the grave risk that the presence of the disease
on Long Island and elsewhere constantly en-
tails. Fortunately the drift Of the cattle traffic
is eastward, and as yet there has been no pro-
pagation of the poison in the great cattle
ranges Of the West Unless summarily arrest
ed, however, the disease will surely reach those
sources of our cattle supply, and occasion
losses that can be estimated only in hundreds
of millions of dollars.
The experience of all countries into which
this disease has gained access appears to prove
that there is only one way OF getting rid OF it
namely, the immediate killing of all infected
cattle and the thorough dislnfection of the
premises in which they are found.
The disease is surely infectious, and is never
found in regions where it has not gained foot
hold by importation. Palliative measures
have in every instance failed to eradicate the
disease, and are only justtiable as in Austria
liza after the plague has reached dimensions ut
terly beyond the reach of any process Of eNter
mInation.
Prof Law, of Cornell University, one of our
best informed veterinary surgeons, most en-
phaticaly opposes every attempt to control the
disease by quarantlning the sick or by the in
oculation of the healthy. I'VE may quaran-
tine the sick" he says, but we cannot quaran
tine the air" To establish quarantine yards
IS simply to maintain prolific manufacturers
of the poison, which is given off by the breath
of the sick, and by their cXcretlons, to such an
extent that no watchtulness can insure against
its dissemination. Besides the expense of
thorough quarantining operations would
amount to more than the value OF the infected
animals whose lives might be saved thereby.
incubation is still less to be tolerated at this
stage Of the pest
The Professor says: Germany Holland,
Belgium, France and England have been
treating the victims of this plague for nearly
half century, but the result has only been
the increase of disease and death. Our own
infected States have been treating itfor third
of century, and to-day it exists over a wider
area than ever before. Contrast this with the
results in Massachusetts and Connecticut
where the disease has been repeatedly crushed
out at small expense, and there can be no doubt
as to which is the Wisest course. rs all the
plaques are alike in the propagation of the
poison in the bodies Of the sick, | may be al
lowed to adducc the experience OF two adiaccnt
counties IN Scotland when invaded by the
rinderpest. Aberdeen raised a fund OF $4,000,
and though she suffered several successive in
vasions, she speedily crushed out the poison
wherever it appeared by Strengthening the sick
beasts and disinfectng the premises. The re-
suit was that little more than halt the fund
was wanted to reimburse the owners for their
losses and the splendid herds of the county
were preserved Fortar, on the other hand,
set herself to cure the plague, with the result
OF universal infection, the loss OF many thOus-
ands of cattle, aud the ruin Of hundreds Of
farmers Finally the maiady was crushed out
in the entire island by the method adopted by
Aberdeen and other well advised counties at
the outset"
And again, Cattle have been inoculated by
the tens of thousands III Belgium and Holland,
and of all Europe these are the countries now
most extensively infected. France, Prussia,
italy, Austria, and England have each prac-
ticed it on Il large scale and each remains u
home of the plague Australia has followed
the practice and is now ana must continue an
Infected country. our own infected States
have inOculated, and the disease has survived
ana spread in spite OF it, and even by its aid.
Whatever country has dchnitivcly eXtermnat-
ed the plague Norway, Sweden, Denmark,
Holsteln, Meckienburg, Switzerland Massa-
chusetts, and COnneCticut) that country has
prohibited incubation and al other methods
that prevail on the principle Of preserving the
SICK and has relied on the slaughter OF the In
fected aud the thorough distinction of their
surroundings. So will it be with Us If any
State adopts or allows any of these temporiz-
ing measures, lIat Stalc will only repeat the
experience of the past alike in the Old World
and the New, Will perpetuaie the disease ~
the country will entail great losses on its citi-
zcns, will,keep the need for constant watc lful-
ness and great expense by the adjoining States
for their own protection, and will Indefinitely
postpone the resumption of the foreign live
stock trade, which, few months ago, pr1ms-
ed to be one of the most valuable branches of
eur international commerce"
We are persuaded that the position taken by
Prof Law, and other simllarmnded veteri-
nary surgeons, IS the only safe one. The dis
ease can be stamped out now with cCmpara-
lively small loss. If trifled with, and tolerated
it cannot but result in a great national calam-
lty
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