National Republican., 1883-05-23
PLEuRo-PNEUMONlA.

IL Is Found to Exist Among Our District
Cows-Prompt Action Taken by the
Health Understanding About the
Character Of the Disease.
Word was received at tho health depart
ment yesterday that disease resembling the
dreaded contagious pleuro- pneumonia was
prevailing among the cows in COW stable
kept by a Mrs. Flanagan on the Benning's
Bridge road, in the county, just beyond the
city limits.
As the prevalence Of this disease in the vi
cinity Of Wnshingto mas been before reported
and created no little sensation in the commu-
| nifty, Health Officer Townshend was not slow
to act in making an investigation Of the cir
cumstances in the case. In company with
Mr. McGinn, Of the department, DIR. Town.
shend proceodedlto the premises of Mrs. Flan-
nagan, which are situated on the south side
| of tho Bennings Bridge road, about equi-dis-
tant between the boundary line of tho city
and the bridge over the eastern branch of the
| Potomac. 49,
Tho cow yard and stable are located on
| fiat piece of ground bordering ravine,
| through which flows n small stream, and upon
which the drainage of the premises depends.
| A sick COW was found on an open lot just
adjoining the house, and the progress which
the disease had made rendered IL easy of
diagnosis as the contagious form of pleuro-
| pneumonia. The stables were then inspected,
and the other animals-six in num-
ber-subjected to scrutiny. Five of
the six appeared to be in per-
| feet health, but tho other exhibiting sus-
pic.ous symptoms was placed under survei-
ancc. Tho animal first referred TO was taken
in charge and turned over TO the expert
mental station of the agricultural depart
ment, tho agents thereof expressing pleasure
at securing such specimen, and promising
to remunerato the woman for the animal.
| Mrs. Flanagan says the disease was brought
to her premises through cow purchased
from one of the city iobbers several months
since, and she has lost three cows between
| that time and this. The disease Is said to
follow tho lines of cattle traffic, and its mani
festations coincide with the introduction of
imported animals.
Fleming says in his Manual CT Veterinary
Science" that the disease first appeared in
the United States at Brooklyn, N. Y , in 1913 /;
in New Jersey. in 1S47; again in Brooklyn,
! in 1850 and in Boston, in 1859.
| 1t is aspecihc and highly contagious disease,
| peculiar to bovine animals, and of subacute
or chronic character 1t usually appears as
an epizootic er enzootic malady; and in con-
sequence of its insidious invasion, the subtlety
of its contagion, its general diffusion, and
the great fatality attending it, it is a most
serious scourge. One attack confers immu-
| llJy uBdluoO dHOlutE, anu ~ opIcuus uhIy
through contagion. Its exact nature and the
causes which lead to its production arc un-
known. Its course at commencement is slow
and insdious being marked only by a
loss of keenness in appetite and a
rise in temperature of the ANNA
The second stage of the disease shows symp-
toms much more marked, and its progress is
rapid and usually fatal. As a rule 1t is more
rapid in its course as the animals are young,
vigorous, and in good condition. The con-
tagion is conveyed by contact or by means OF
the forage, litter, and manureifrom infected
stables, and the strickest measures are neces-
sary in effecting its suppression.
The agricultural department is very much
interested in making experiments to ascer-
tain something more as to the nature and pro-
gress of the disease as we'll as the best methods
of treatment.
DIR. Townshend has made arrangements for
an immediate inspection of all the COW stables
in and around the city, and will be glad tc
get reports of sick animals The milk from
all tho cows on Mrs. Flannagans premise,
will be subjected to analysis TO day. The
agricultural department will cooperate with
our health department, and nothing will be
left undone to prevent the spread Of the di
Sease, ..... .. .... ,l..t