St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-12-03
Came from Massachusetts.

George A1tkin and L. Bell, the cattl
commissioners, have been to Chester t.
ascertain il any foot and mouth diseas
was in Vermont, Massachusetts havine
reported that such disease was in tn,
state. In Addison county, where it wa:
first elaine to be, none could be found
although careful search was made. Some
two weeks ago one carload of cows came
to Chester from Concord, Mass, and il
was found that nearly all OF the cattle
were affected. They were sold out there
going to nine different farms, mixing
with IT'S head of Vermont cattle, some
OF which already show that they have
contracted the disease.
The commission has since learned that
some OF these cattle came from affected
heads in Massachusetts. The commits
sion quarantined all animals that have
| been exposed. The citizens of Chester
! have shown a commendable spirit and
are assisting the commissioners in every
way possible TO keep the disease from
spreading further.
The commission has no knowledge of
this disease in any other part OF the
state, and none existed here until this
carload Of injected cattle came in.
Secretary Wilson'S Energetic Measure.
Secrt tary of Agriculture Wilson who
has arrived in Chicago to attend the live
stock exposition said regarding the cat
tie diseases in New England:
My latest report from the infected
district is that the disease is at a stand
still. The next report will decide the
number of men | shall send to New Eng.
land, but you may be sure a large num-
will go. Before many days have passed
there will be several hundred veterinary
surgeons in the New England states and
they will be instructed to inspect every
COW, sheep. and hog believe we shall
need three or four weeks to stamp out
the disease. Congress will be asked for
special appropriation to cure the disease
permanently. | intend to ask for at
least $1,000, 00O."
The New Cattle Disease.
c. J. Bell of Walden, member OF the
state board of cattle commissioners, and
DR.. F. A. Rich, veterinary surgeon of
Burlington went to Middlebury last
week to make Investigations as to
the supposed origin of the foot and
mouth " disease which has upeared |
among Rhode Island cattle to a consid,
cradle extent. Mr.. Bell, who has been in
the Canadian woods hunting during the
past few weeks, received a telegram from
nc secretary OF agriculture stating that |
The appearance of the disease has been
Traced to Addison county, and that dis.
'ased cattle had been shipped into
Rhode Island by dealer residing in ADJ
1lSon county. The secretary requested
Mr.. Bell as a member of the state cattle
commission to investigate the matter.
tie had previously had no iutimation
hat the foot and mouth disease had
appeared in Vermont and believes tnat it
1as not spread to any great extent.
lie said that he was not familiar with
he disease, simply knowing that it was
u especial Importance because of its ex-
remely contagious character and because
'f its effects. The drinking of the un-
looked milk of an affected COW brings on
sore mouth to human beings. lust
What action is likely to be taken in the
natter is not known as the terms of the
present commissioners expired December
|, and 1t was impossible to get new
BOARD before today as new one was
Tot appointed by the governor before
he expiration of the term, and leoisla-
ure did not convene until Yesterday. If
he disease is found to really exist in this
sac it will result in rigid quarantine
ot all cattle in the infected district and if
not found here it is probable a quaran-
Inc will be established against the cattle
't Massachusetts and any other infected
tate.