The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-10-28
CATTLE DISEASE.
Prevalence in the Country of Pleuro-
Pneumonia and tuberculosis.
An Interesting Conversation With Or.
George n. Bailey.
What Danger He Apprehends to
Maine from these Diseases.

known veterinary surgeon, yesterday, in
reference to pleuro-pneumonia, which is 50
alarmingly prevalent in this country. DR.
Bailey is, as is we'll known, one OF
the Maine cattle commissioners, the
Others being Hon. 2. A. Gilbert, a
trustee of the State College at Orono,
and Mr.. Samuel Bell of Deering. DIR.
Baileyiis c0nvalescing from a serious illness,
but he has not allowed any information in
regard to this terrible disease to escape him
The following conversation occurred:
Reporter-Do you know of any cases OF
pleuro-pneumonia existing in cattle in Maine
Doctor?
Doctor Bailey-We-the commissioners
have had none brought to our attention thus
lar. A few cases of tuberculosis are still
outstanding in the State without doubt, but
as fast as they are brought to our attention
they are promptly dealt with But we NAV
safely say that as yet, no cases Of plcurO-
pneumonia have been discovered. lately adj
dressed letter to Governor-elect Bodwell
and do not think shall violate any conf
dence If permit you to publish the follow
ing extracts from his reply:
Dr. Geo. II. bailey, Portland Ne:
Dear Sir-l have for long time urged upon the
members OF Congress the great necessity Of guard
ing against this disease, as 1t was in the power OF
Congress TO place the matter at the disposal Of
such men as would discharge their duty faithfully
should 1t make its appearance. Now 1t has APP
peared SO positively and extensively l am at 8
| loss what TO say.
shall not fail in my inaugural to urge the impor
lance OF such1aws as, in the Judgment of Legis
whenever disease of any kind shall make its an
pearance among the herds in this State.
so tne preas AK out 81
ity. II it is not stopped and fear it cannot be
thoroughly, it will cause great loss to the coun
j. r. BoDwnLL.
Representatives. do you hear that pleuro-
pneumonia is prevailing in this country?
Dr. Bailey-In New York, New jersey
PENNSYLVANIA and Kentucky of the Middle
and Southern States; and throughout the
West as far as Dakota. 1t is prevailing to a
great extent in the Chicago stock yards
Reporter--ls there any apprehension
Doctor that the disease will be imported into
Maine?
Doctor Bailey-I am very anxious on that
point. You see there is nothing to hinder
any Ignorant or evil disposed person from
going to the places where the disease exists
buying infected cattle and bringing them in
to the State. The laws of Maine leave the
doors wide open for such people, There is
not sufficient law in regard to the matter.
In many OF the places where the disease pre-
walls, and where there are cattle commits
sioners as here, the State appropriations in
regard to stamping out the disease are not
large enough to enable the commissioners to
buy the cattle and have them them killed. In
the meantime designing men spirit the
cattle off from under the noses of the COM
missioners and bring them east We have
positive information that this very thing has
been done. Why, if you will believe il. a
large number of infected cattle, of rare
breeds, were taken directly from Canada and
carried into the herds ON exhibition at the
Ohio State fair.
Reporter-What are the distinctive symp-
toms OF pluero-pneumonia?
Doctor Bailey-Among the notable out
ward signs, are the standing aloof from
other members of the herd, hanging the
head, arching the back, great spinal tender
ness on pressure. diminished appetite and
sometimes diminished ruminatfon. The
Secretl0nS are more or less suspended and
there is sudden falling off in the quantity
of milk afforded. This latter symptom Is
often the first thing that excites the suspi-
cion OF the owner of the animal The cough
Is present throughout and is usually charac-
terized by Its short and sharp spasms with
the mouth open and the tongue protruding.
The movement Of the body is suppressed as
much as possible in order to prevent the
pain caused by the cough. The pulse is
quickened, and the temperature at the base
OF the horns and ears is increased. The
respiration can be easily heard and chills
are generally present.
Reporter-What is the difference doctor
between pleuro-pneumonia and the tuber-
culosls with which some of our cattle have
been afflicted?
alton of tubercles in the lung and encysted
pus, While III pleuro-pneumonia lymph and
serum is poured into the interlobular spaces
and lother tissues or the lung, giving a
marDlelzed appearance to the lung when cut
open on post norton examination.
~ of fttha 1oes
are In existence in Maine to-day?
Doctor Balley-There was one case that
was brought to the commissioners attention
In connection with the 0rono College herd
Oh valuable animals, but that case has just
Deen disposed of and we have no cases now
that have been brought directly to our atten-
ton but what have been settled.
Keporter-D0 you consider tuberculosis
as dangerous as pleuro-pneumonia in cattle?
awaken any apprehension on your part Doc
tor that the diseases may be brought in here /;
both pleuro-pneumonia and Tuberculosis?
DR.. Bailey-It excites the gravest fears,
more especially from the trouble we had last
winter from the cases. of tuberculosis i'm
ported by the steamship Ontario. At pres
sent there Is no law to prevent the importa-
tion of similar cases. think the Washing
ton authorities should appoint proper COM
mission OF inspectors here, and especially so
as the United States commission, In exist
ence last season, no longer exists. In this
connection may state that you are probab-
ly aware of the 300 head of very valuable
cattle, from the finest imported stock, lust
destroyed at Quebec by the Canadian author
tiles because they had associated with in
lected cattle DIR; McAchran thinks he has
stamped out the disease there by prompt ac-
ton but he writes: Look out for pleuro-
pneumonia from the west; God knows YOU
have had warning enough"
Reporter-What suggestions would you
make to prevent the importation of pleuro-
pneumonia into this State?
DIR. Bailey-I would have the Legislature
pass law prohibiting the bringing of cattle
into Maine from any State or district known
to be infected. The penalty now for having
a diseased animal in one s.possession is fine
not less than $500, and Imprisonment not
less than one year, and this penalty includes
the cases of glandered horses, and diseased
Sheep and swine. | would have the same
penalty inflicted on any one bringing dis
eased cattle into the State. Why do you
know that parties who owned valuable inn
ported stock, which they had every reason to
believe was contaminated sent them to
New York, and they were sold, with great
flourish OF trumpets, in Madison Square, at
immense prices, and bought by innocent par
ties ana taken to different parts of the coun-
try there to propagate the diseases, if tuber-
monia. P-'o'
Reporter there be any danger doc
tor from eating the beef of animals that died
lIOui THESE ulS6dSeSP
DR.. Bailey do not think so, when the
animals had died in the first stages of the
diseases, while the lungs alone were affected
and before the muscular tissues had been at
tackled. Of course if the meat was boiled il
should be boiled thoroughly, and if roasted
1t should be thoroughly roasted. Half raw
meat from such animals would be as unfit
for food as hams in which trichine had de-
yeloped. Thorough cooking would destroy
all germs containing disease Some of the
Orono cattle, after the lungs were removed.
displayed magnificent beef and it seemed a
shame to destroy it.
Reporter-Do you consider the position of
Maine an exposed one, doctor, for the intro
duction of cattle diseases?
DR.. Bailey-More so than that of any 9TH
er State You see Portland, and other places
IN Maine, are on the direct highway between
Europe and the west, in both of which local
tiles these cattle diseases are raging. and
these cattle are liable to be imported here
from b0th directions. 1t, the State, is pecul-
arly situated, with its Canadian border,
It's maritime ports, and its long lines of rail-
ways. tell you sir our Legislature cannot be
200 careful of protecting us with every safe
guard in their power.
Lecture at Woodford's.
Hon. Is. G. Northrop, LII. d., of Clinton,