The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-04-19
FOOT AND MOTH DISEASE.
Report Of Prof. salmon and the Cattle
Commissioners.

Thursday afternoon, as Prof Salmon was
compelled to leave on the noon train for Kan
sas, a meeting of Gov. Robe, members Of the
Council, and the Cattle Commissioners, includ
ing Mr.. Samuel Bell was held at the Fall
mouth Hotel, where Prof. Salmon, who had
made thorough inspection Of the quarantine,
the farms where the cases Of foot and mouth
disease had occurred, and the convalescent
cases themselves, made the following report:
US. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL
VETERINARY DIVISION,
Washington, d. c., April 10, 1884. }
Hon. Frederick Robe, Governor of Maine:
Sir: Having visited the hords of cattle in the vi
enity of Portland, now held in quarantine by the
State authorities, and having investigated the
methods of disinfeeton that are being practiced,
have no hesitation in saying that these are thor
ough and that they may be relied upon to de-
stroy all remnants of the disease.
There is a small Jersey bull at the Rolfe place,
have a tendency to tuberculosis ana this complica
ton Of diseases has led 10 sores and swengs Of the
limbs, which would render it advisable TO prolong
the period of quarantine for indefinite time If
he Is preserved. would therefore, advise his i'm
mediate destruction. In this animal is slaugh-
tered and safely buried beyond the reach of dogs
otherwise properly disposed Of think the quaran-
tine might be removed without danger, two weeks
later.
After examining the barns and hay, and the expo
sure which the latter has had to the emanations
from the animals, am of the opinion that all re-
naming unconsumed by these animals should be
destroyed by fire.
The removal Of the floors of the stables and the
thorough renovation which these are receiving, as
well as the disposition of the manure, seem to be
eminently judicious, and l can see no reason for
further alarm.
Very respectfully,
d. E. SALMON,
Veterinarian U. S. Dept. of Agriculture.
The Commissioners also presented a report
which gives detailed account of the progress
of the disease which evidently fastened the re-
sponsibility of its Introduction on the care
lessness of officers connected with the United
States Department. This report will be for
warded to our Congressman and be presented
to the appropriate committee for the purpose
Of securing an appropriation to defray the me-
cessary expenses incurred in consequence of
the disease.
special to yesterdays Portland Advertiser
says: "The Treasury Department has OK.
planned why diseased cattle were driven over
the public highway to the quarantine near
Portland. 1t seems that there was contract
1 with the Grand Trunk Railway to transport
] the cattle in box cars from the port Of Port
land to the quarantine ground. But the Cana
| dian government forbade the railroad TO do
this, and it was only in this exigency that the
officers Of the department broke its rule and
! drove the animals over public highway. Mr..
Reed says that q congressional committee will
| investigate the case. the result Of which will
| probably be the payment by the government
of all the reasonable bills OF expense OCCASION
| ed by the transaction.