The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-08
TITS NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.?
A Strange and Questionable Performance
the Part of the state Veterinarian.

A Strange and Questionable Performances on
the Part of the state Veterinarian.
New Castle Courier.
Considerable excitement was occasioned in
this county last week on account of report
being circulated that a herd Of cattle belonging
to VIM Pate living four miles west Of town,
were affected with a contagious disease resemb
ling euro-pneumonia- The attention of DIR.
Thompson, secretary Of the county board Of
health, was called to tho matter, and he at once
notified the State Veterinarian. On Wednesday
that official came to New Castle. and together
with DR.. Balser. DR.. Thompson and the county
commissioners, went to Mr.. Pate's farm to
make an examination. Two OF the cattle were
slaughtered, the lungs dissected and thorough
examination made. But owing to the disagree
ment of the parties conducting the examination
they failed to make any report. The county
papers were requested to say nothing about the
would result in great damage to the county, if
such q report should be circulated when no con-
tageons disease really existed. But more than
q week has elapsed and the State Veterin arian.
who is a quack. never graduated from = veter-
mary college and who is personal friend of
Governor Gray and was appointed to the impor-
tant position he now occupies without single
qualification to recommend him, has failed to
make any report on the case, excepting state
ment purporting to come from him through the
Indianapolis Sentinel and Cincinnati Inquirer,
thas there is nothing the matter with the cattle
in Henry county. except thas they are suffering
from cold and hunger. 1t is not likely that DIR.
Prrchett will make, or is able to make an official
report of the disease he was called here to in
vestigate, as he disclosed such utter ignorance
of the subject in the examination and in the
statement made through the papers as to entite
him to the severest criticisms Dr.. Balser who
assisted in conducted the examination, and who
is graduate of the Ontario Veterinary college
was unable TO agree with DR.. Prtchett in the
diagnosis of the case, and sent sections of the
f.n9s from the diseased animals they slaueht-
cred to Prof. Law, Ithaca. New York, and Dr.
salmon. Washington, ID. c., both United States
inspectors. and is expecting report from them
soon, which he is confident viii corroborate his
views the
The disease was brought into this county
with drove of cattle shipped in from Cincin-
natl last spring. fifteen of which were purchased
By Mr. Pate and taken to his farm Fourteen
head in all have died, the last of which were
some milk cows from his native herd, which
had been pastured with the Cincinnati cattle
It is also reported that some of tho cattle in Ed
Strattan's herd are affected with the same dis
ease. Whether or not it is pleuro-pneumonia
an official report only will decide But that
some kind of a contagious disease exists among
the cattle of this herd is evident. and the
lessress and stupidity of the State Veterinarian
In not making report the subject. and the nm
truthful and misleading statements given
ont by him 10 the papers, have aroused the in
dignation OF the citizens, who have right to