38

The insidious character of the invasion of the malady renders it
almost certain, generally in small villages, that the majority of cattle in
the same village will have been exposed to contagion, owing to the fact
that the animals are herded together during non-working hours, feed over
the same pastures, drink at the same water, and associate freely on roads
and in the fields during working hours. When we take into considera-
tion the fact that the disease is present in an animal for a very consi-
derable time before any marked symptoms of illness are manifested,
during which period, if reliance is to be placed on Semmer's experiments,
it is capable of communicating the disease to other animals, and that
it is soiling the roads and pastures, as also the water, with its saliva and
excretions, it is not to be wondered at that large numbers of cattle are
attacked apparently in a short time. In addition to this, there is the
fact that until some few animals are affected and the disease has reached
an advanced stage, it is not recognized, and during the whole of this
time so long as they can walk they are driven to graze with the rest
of the herd. In villages, therefore, where the whole of the cattle are
grazed in one herd, the chance of doing very much by isolation of the
sick is small. But there are many cases where several herds are formed
and frequent different pastures and watering-places, and are not asso-
ciated together, and it is in these cases that benefit arises from the
adoption of this measure.

With regard to the best and most suitable methods of suppression, it
will be best to leave these for the various officers of the Civil Veteri-
nary Department to report upon, as so much depends upon local condi-
tions, customs, and prejudices. This will therefore be done.

            G. I. C. P. O.—No. 18 G. C. U. D.-23-7-94.—200.