REPORT AND EVIDENCE OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON PLEURO-PNEUMONIA.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1861 Session I, F-01

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REPORT AND EVIDENCE OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON PLEURO-PNEUMONIA.

Appointed June nth. Report brought up June 21rf, 1861.

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ORDER OF REFERENCE.

Extract from the Journals oj the House of Representatives.

Thursday, June 13th, 1861, Ordered, That the question respecting the prohibition of the importation of Cattle from places where the disease of Pleuro-Pneumonia is known to exist, be referred to a Select Committee consisting of Mr. R. Graham, Mr, McGlashan, Mr. Carter, Mr. Dick, Mr. Mason, Mr. O'Neill, and the Honorable Mr. Weld. Report be brought up on Friday the 21st Instant. True Extract. F. E. Campbell, Clerk of House of Representative*.

REPORT. The Committee appointed the 13th June, 1861, to ascertain the advisability of prohibiting the importation of Cattle from places where the disease of Pleuro-Pneumonia is known to exist, have carefully considered the subject referred to them—and, after having examined persons acquainted with the disease; with the capabilities of the Colony, and of its own resources to supply the demand for butchers' meat, have agreed to recommend that a Bill should be immediately introduced by the Government, forbidding, under penalties, the importation of horned cattle from any place where the disease called Pleuro-Pneumonia is known to exist. The Governor in Council to declare from time to time, the places to which the provisions of the Bill shall apply. Robert Graham, Chairman.

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE. Saturday, 15th June, 1861. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present :— Mr. R. Graham, Mr. Mason, McGlashan, " O'Neill, " Dick, " Williamson, " Carter. Hon. Mr. Weld. The Order of Reference of the 13th June, read. Mr. R. Graham was elected Chairman. The Hon. Mr. Weld stated that it would be desirable to have the evidence of persons who were conversant with the disease, and the following gentlemen were proposed as being the most likely to afford evidence on the subject. Mr. Austen, V.S., Mr. Walton, Mr. A. Buckland, Mr. Walters, and Mr. Rhodes; and it was decided that they should be requested to attend the Committee on its next sitting. The Hon. Ma. Weld undertook to write to the ConiHii'sariat to enquire in what manner any of their Contracts would be affected in the evert of the Legislature deciding to prohibit the importation of cattle trom places where the disease is known to The Committee then adjourned to Monday the 17th instant, at 10 o'clock.

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Monday, 17th June, 1861. Committee.met pursuant to adjournment. Present:— Mr. McGlashan, Mr. O'Neill, " Carter, " Williamson, " Dick, The Hon. Mr. Weld. " Mason, Mr. Graham in the Chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Weld handed in for the information of the Committee a copy of the letter he had addresied to the Senior Commissariat Officer respecting any contracts they might have with Sydney. Mr. Williamson proposed that Dr. Aitken should be summoned to give evidence before the Committee on its next sitting. Agreed to. Mr. Walters called in and examined. 1. By Chairman."] What are you ?—I am a Butcher, carrying on business in Queen-street, Auckland. 2. Have you had experience in supplying Cattle for the Commissariat ?—I have. 3. What effect do you think a Law interdicting the importation of cattle would have oa the markets here ? —Not much ; as I believe there are plenty of cattle in these Islands to supply the market. 4. What is the average number of cattle killed per week ?—lOO head. The Provincial Government Gazette was here produced with a Return by which it appeared that during the months of January, February, and March, the following number of cattle had been killed:— 1861. Cattle. Sheep. Pigs. Calves. January 258 1278 84 48 February 223 1222 112 21 March 237 1125 114 20 718 3625 310 89 Examination resumed. 5. What is the present contract price for meat ?—GJd. per lb. 6. How long have you had the contract ?—At different periods during the last seven years. 7. What was the date of your last tender ?—lsth June, instant. 8. If a law such as it is proposed to enact, had been in force, what effect, in your opinion, would it have had on your tender ?—Not the slightest, as I look to this Island for my supply. I have seen n» fat cattle landed here from Sydney. 9. Mr. Williamson.'] Did your last tender exceed your earlier ones ?—No, it was lower than some of them. About six years ago I had the contract at 3d. per lb. 10. Mr. O'Neill."] At what rate was the contract taken before the arrival of the last two Regiments ? —sd. per lb. The retail price then was 7d. The present contract is 6Jd., and the retail price Bd. per lb. The increase in price is owing to its being the winter months when meat is invariably dearer. 11. On what is your calculation based for stating that there are plenty of cattle in these islands to supply the market ?—From my own personal knowledge of the cattle in this and the Wellington districts, and from offers of cattle which have been made me. 12. In case restriction is placed on the importation of cattle, do you think the stock-holders would raise the price ?—I think not; they would be glad to find a market as they do not imagine the Troops will be retained here much longer, and I do not think any holders would attempt buying up cattle to create a monopoly, 13. Mr. Williamson.] Have you bought cattle from holders in the North ?—I have not, except a few that have been landed here. 14. Have you any idea of the number of cattle there ?—No, but I believe Mr. Williams at the Bay of Islands has about 200 head. 15. Mr. McGlashan.] When ydu say that the supply required is 100 head per week, does that number include the Commissariat demand as well as the town consumption ?—lt does. 16. Could a year's supply at that rate be obtained from this Province ?— I think not. 17. Chairman.] Had you the contract in March last ?—I had ; and even if no more soldiers hai ■come here I would have relinquished it. The Witness was then discharged from further attendance.

Mr. Wallers,

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Mr. Rhodes called in and examined. 18. Chairman.] What are you ?—I am a Stock-holder in the Provinces of Wellington and Canterbury. 19. Have you had experience in supplying the Commissariat ? —Yes, during the continuance of the last war in the South (about 3 or 4 years) I supplied the whole of the Troops with meat. 20. What is the number of fat cattle in Wellington ? —I can't speak positively, but I think three or four thousand fat cattle could easily be obtained. The wholesale price of meat is 2d. per lb. About 30 head are killed weekly at Wellington and the Hutt. 21. Have you ever had any fat cattle imported from New South Wales?—l have on some occasions received cattle from Port Albert in seemingly good condition, but which were not good for food, being feveriih with the voyage. The butchers would not buy them if they could obtain any others. 22. Mr. Carter.] Estimating the fat cattle in the Northern Island at 100,000 what number would you consider available for use ?—About one-fifth. If I had a contract for cattle, I should fook to Wellington, Nelson, and Wairau for my supplies in preference to New South Wales. I think there are quite as many cattle in Canterbury and Otago as there are in the Northern Island. 23. Have you seen the disease called Pleuro'Pnuemonia ?—I have not, nor have I heard of any cases of it in this Colony. 24. Mr. O'Neill.] What would you consider to be the increase in price in cattle when landed here from Wellington and Wairau ?—About 100 per cent, on original cost. 25. Mr. McGlashan.] If cattle were killed in Wellington, do you think the meat could be brought here ?—I think so, by means of powerful steamers, and having a proper place fitted up for it on board. The Witness was discharged from further attendance. Mr. Farmer called in and examined. In reply to the Chairman.] lam a settler and Stock-holder near Auckland. I have seen the disease called Pleuro-Pneumonia in Scotland in 1855. It affects cattle in the lungs, and in three or four days is generally fatal. I have seen a number of cases. I consider it is decidedly infectious. The longest time I have seen an animal affected with it was about fourteen days. It is generally first perceived by the tongue swelling and then drying up. I have only seen two animals recover out of twentyfive attacked, which were kept on two different farms. I was restricted from going among other cattle who had not the disease, and every precaution was taken by the neighbours not to have any communication with me, lest they should convey the disease to their cattle. Out of our neighbourhood only one person escaped, owing to his taking the precaution of preventing any one going among his cattle, and preventing their mixing with other cattle or being in the fields; he even took the precaution of having the grass cut and carried to them in the byres. I think if it once got introduced here it would spread very rapidly. I knew one cow who must have had the disease for four months without any symptoms shewing, and it was from examining the lungs I knew. It is from the lungs I know the disease. They first swell and are full of water and blood. The disease was introduced into the district in which I saw it from cattle imported from Ireland. I have heard of cattle having it three or four months, but I only have seen the one instance I have mentioned above. 26. Chairman.] Do you think sufficient cattle could be obtained here to supply the market ?— I think there could, and if not- sufficient here, then Wellington, in preference to New South Wales. I have never seen fat cattle come from New South Wales. 27. Mr. Dick.] Do you think in the event of the disease breaking out, it would be possible to prevent it spreading ?—I think not. I think it could not be confined to one district, owing to its highly infectious nature. 28. Can you tell whether it was in the air or earned from one to the other ?—I can't speak positively, but the cattle that escaped were surrounded by infected cattle. 29. Chairman.] How far did the neighbour you mentioned as having escaped the disease live apart from you ? —About two miles. 30. Mr. O'Neill.] Supposing the same precautions were used here, would they have the same results ? —I think they would, but it would be impossible to take them in this country. 31. Do you know an instance of an animal once attacked ever having been attacked a second time ? —I have not. 32. Could you inform the Committee from your own knowledge whether the infection was conveyed by contact with the living or animal or both ?—I can't speak as to this positively, but our cattle caught it from drinking out of the same stream as those infected, and a mile further down. The Witness then withdrew.

W. B. Rhodes, Esq. 17 June, 1861,

/. Farmer, Esq. 17 June, 1861.

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Mr. Kilgour. 17 June, 1861.

J. Kilgour called in and examined. 33. Chairman.] What are you ?—I am a Butcher. 34. Have you seen the disease called Pleuro-Pneumonia, and where ?—I have, in Scotland, and have slaughtered cattle affected with it. 35. What are the symptoms ?—The first is panting, refusing their food, and after they are killed the left lung is found swelled, and then bursts ; the lung is found growing to the" side. I think it is very infectious. I have known families ruined by it, owing to the whole of their cattle dying. Sometimes they die in three or four days, and sometimes it takes a fortnight. I have known some get better, owing to blistering—severe blistering on the left side. I have killed some that had got better, but the left lung still adheres to the side. I think the disease is carried by animals to a considerable distance. It was considered that if an animal that was attacked with it was slaughtered at once, the flesh was good for food, but it was always discernable in the meat by those who knew it, and the Inspector of Slaughterhouses always condemned it if he saw it. I have heard the disease was carried to Scotland by means of a hide. It was supposed that a person touching an affected animal might convey it on his person to sound animals. Ido not know of any cattle that have recovered being attacked again. 36. Do you think if the disease was to be brought here it would soon spread ?—Decidedly, and very rapidly, there being no certain remedy. 37. Do you think a law ought to be passed to prevent the importation of cattle ?—Yes, as I am, certain it is an infectious disease. The Witness then withdrew. Adjourned to Wednesday, at 11 o'clock.

Wednesday, 19th June, 1861. Committee met pursuant to adjournment, Present: Mr. Williamson, Mr. Mason. " Dick. « Carter. " O'Neilh. Mr. Graham in the Chair, The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. A letter from Mr. Austin, excusing his attendance at the last meeting, was read. A letter from Mr. Stanley Jones, of the Commissariat Department, was read. Dr. Aikin called in and examined. 38. Chairman.] What are you ?—A Surgeon. 39. Will you state to the Committee what you know of the disease called Pleuro-Pneumonia, and the nature and symptoms of the disease generally ? —I saw cases of the disease about twenty miles from Dublin twenty-five years ago. It commeuses in ordinary cases with dullness, a short cough not observable for an indefinite period, it may be for weeks or months, then follows heaving of the flanks, staring of the coat, mucous discharge from nostrils, the animal exhibiting symptoms of great debility and weakness, accompanied by want of appetite, ceases to chew the cud, and in the ordinary form the termination is sinking of the general powers of life and general debility till death. I should state, however, that the disease varies greatly in different years and periods of attack, so that it requires a man to be acquainted with the disease upon previous occasions to understand any particular period of attack. In every instance of periodical attack, the disease is far more virulent at the beginning than at the close. 40. Have you made any post mortem examinations ?—Yes ; a few. 41. What was the nature of the cases upon examination after death ?—ln one case I found both lungs greatly inflamed—deeply congested—they cut like liver. This was a beast in high condition y/hich had sunk rapidly. In another case I found copious effusions of serus fluid into the cavity of the chest and escaping through the nostrils. This was a remarkable case, terminating suddenly after the first breaking out of the disease. 42. Are you able to state how the disease was introduced into Ireland ?—No. 43. You said it appeared in your father's herd, how was it introduced ?—I believe by his purchasing a diseased cow. 44. Were there many cases ?—No, not with us ; but there were many around us. 45. Do you believe it to be infectious ?•—I do. 46. Mr. Carter.] Do you believe it to be epidemic ?—I do; but decidedly infectious. 47. Mr. Dick.] Did you separate the healthy cattle after the disease appeared in your father's herd ?—We removed them to another part of the farm. 48. Did others catch it ?—No. I know of cases of infection, but in those cases the cattle were not separated.

Dr. Aikin. 19 June, 1861.

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49. How do you account for the removal in your case having saved the cattle removed ? —By their being removed immediately, before they had time to be infected. 50. Chairman.] Are you acquainted with any recent cases ?—I am ; but I did not take particular notice of them. 51. Do you think a law should be passed to prevent importation of cattle from infected districts ?—I do, for I think it may be readily imported with the cattle. 52. Mr. -Dick.] Do you consider a flock may be infected without contact ?—lt has been so said by authors, but I cannot speak from my own knowledge. 53. Chairman.] Do you know of any other animals than cattle subject to this disease ?—I do not. 54. Are you aware of any instance of an animal being attacked a second time ?—I am not. It js the general opinion that it is not taken twice. 55. Mr. Dick.] Do you consider the nature of the disease is such that it cannot be taken twice ? • —I can form no opinion from experience, for I never knew of a recovery, 56. Chairman.] Is the tongue affected ?—lt is, sooner or later. When the disease breaks out in a herd it spreads through that herd, at the same time herds in the immediate neighbourhood remain unaffected. Witness discharged. Mr. John Anderson called in and examined. 57. Chairman.] What are you ?—I am a Veterinary Surgeon. 58. Are you acquainted with the disease called Pleuro-Pneumonia ?—Yes ; I have seen many eases of it in England, Scotland, and France. 59. Will you state to the Committee what you know ©f it ?—lt is a disease of an inflammatory typhoid character—infecting the interlobulum substance of the lungs. The firstsymptom exhibited is the animal rejecting food, and in cases of milch cows, a falling off and gradual cessation of milk altogether. Rumination ceases. Muzzle becomes dry. The coat dry and scaley. The pulse and respirations increase. At first there is constipation, and in the latter stages, scouring. Upon oscultation, we can detect the affected part of the lung, —we don't hear the natural rustling of the air cells. Upon percussion, we have a dull sound instead of a hollow one. Upon pressure between the ribs, the animal exhibits very acute pain and grunts. In the last stages we have knuckling of the hind fetlocks. I have known cases terminate fatally in three days, and I have known them last for months. 60. Are the cases generally fatal ?—I have known several recoveries. The chance of recovery depends upon the time when the animal is attacked. At the first appearance of the disease in a district the loss is 50 per cent., afterwards it is reduced to 10 or 15. lam speaking- of a dairyman keeping a great many (1500) cows and giving them every care and attention. 61. Do those who have recovered take the disease again ?—lt is the opinion of the dairyman I alluded to, that they do not, and I am inclined to agree with him. This person has the disease constantly in his yard. He buys cattle and places them with diseased cattle so that they may take the disease and get it over. He prefers breeding from cows which have passed through the disease, believing the offspring to be less liable to infection. 62. Do you believe it to be very infectious ?—I do. It is communicated by the air, also by inoculation and contact, probably by the breath and the saliva. 63. How are they inoculated ?—By matter, general in the dew lap or tail. 64. Mr. Carter.] Do you think it would be advisable to prohibit the importation of cattle from places infected with this disease ?—Not if the cattle imported were healthy at the time of embarkation. 65. Would it be possible to detect the presence of the disease at the time of embarkation ?—lt would by an experienced person. 66. Chairman.] Have you conducted any post mortem examinations ?—I have--67. What symptons were exhibited ?—We generally find the right lung the most diseased—in some cases we find both diseased. We have effusion of lymph which becomes organized and joins the lung to the side. We also find pieces of lymph floating about in the cavity. The lungs much enlarged and quite hard under the touch, with the appearance of being solid, and speckled with black and reddish spots. The heart is smaller than in a healthy state —lighter in colour and soft under the touch. We often find fluke worms in the liver. 68. Do you know how it was introduced into Scotland ? —lt has been known from time immemorial on the Continent. It was introduced first into Ireland, and then into England and Scotland. It must have been brought by infected cattle. 69. Are you aware of any instance of an animal having the disease for some time without its existence being ascertained ?—I don't remember any particular case, but there are many on record. 70. Mr. Carter.] Could a Veterinary Surgeon have ascertained the existence of the disease ?—I don't know. No disease can be known in its early stages. There are chronic and acute cases. In the first it is latent—in the latter it is to be perceived.

Dr. Aikin. 19 Juno, 1861.

,J.Anderson,Esq.,l{.A 19 June, 1861.

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J. Ar.derson,Esq., JI.A, ■19 June, 1861.

'• 71. Mr. Willliamson,] If cattle imported exhibit the disease whilst on board, would it be proper to destroy the lot ?—Certainly not. They should be kept in quarantine. 72. New Zealand being free from the disease at the present time, would it be advisable to prevent importation from places infected ?—lt would if the country can dispense with importation. 73. Mr. Mason.] How long should the cattle be in quarantine ?—A month from the last symptom exhibiting itself. The Witness then withdrew. Mr. G. J. Austin introduced. 74. Chairman.] What are you ?—A Veterinary Surgeon. 75. Are you acquainted with the disease known as Pleuro-Pneumonia ?—Yes ; I have noted cases in England and Ireland for the last twenty years. 76. Will you state the symptoms to the Committee ?—Pleuro Pneumonia assumes two forms— typhoid, or an acute form of the disease—the other, a sub-acute form. The former is rapid and most infectious ; the latter may exist for weeks, and even months, before becoming fatal. The latter is the form in which the disease generally exhibits itself. The symptoms exhibit themselves differently in dairy cows to other cattle. These when confined in houses are more susceptible to the disease, from the air being contaminated, and with them it is more readily communicated. When a beast becomes infected it separates itself from the herd, and exhibits an unhealthy coat, thus drawing attention to itself. Even in that early stage of the disease a husky cough may be present. On examination, a mucous rattle or rale may be detected in the breathing. This is frequently succeeded by fever of an intermittent kind. The rale increases and crepitation or grating sound may be heard in the chest. The animal will now grunt on expiration. Shortness of breath increases. Hepatization increases, and the animal dies from suffocation Upon post mortem examination we find the lining member of the bronchia is brownish —containing frothy mucus. The air cells of the lungs contain fibrine and lymph, and frequently abscess. Sometimes effusion to a considerable extent is found between the pleuras, and generally adhesion of the two pleuras by bands of fibrine. On cutting through the lungs the parenchymatous structure exhibits a marbled appearance from fibrine and hepatization. 77. Can you tell us how the disease was introduced into England ? —lt is supposed to have come from Hungary, thence through Prussia, Holland, and Belgium, into England. The disease was carried into each country by diseased cattle and atmospheric causes. 78. Do you believe it to be infectious ?—Very ; but it is not generally admitted to be contagious. 79. Do you believe it to be epidemic ? —Yes. 80. Can a competent person detect the existence of the disease ?—Yes; but it cannot be detected by those who are unacquainted with it—nor in the earlier stages by any one without close examination. 81. Mr. Williamson.] Have you treated many cases yourself ?—Yes; hundreds. 82. Have you had much experience of cattle disease generally ? —Yes. 83. Which of the infectious diseases do you consider the most fatal ?—Typhoid PleuroPneumonia. 84. Mr. Carter.] Do you think it advisable to prohibit the importation of cattle from places where the disease exists ? —I think it highly advisable. 85. • Mr. Dick.] If Pleuro-Pneumonia were to break out in any part of this Colony, would it spread over the whole of it ?—Possibly not from one Island to another unless conveyed by cattle. 86. Do you think the carrying of the disease by infected cattle between one Province and another could be prevented ?—I do not—l doubt whether it is propagated by contagion. I think it is taken through the air. 87. How far would the infected air extend ? —I cannot say. Many things will affect its transit, such as currents of air, electricity, &c. It might be carried half a mile, or any greater distance. 88. Chairman.] Do you think it would be communicated by drinking at the same water stream ?—I do not think it would be communicated by the water. 89. Mr. Dick.] In case of cattle being imported, one animal should exhibit symptoms of the disease —would it be necessary to destroy the remainder ?—Certainly, or placed, in quarantine. 90. Might others be infected by their being landed ?—Yes any that were in the neighbourhood. The Witness then withdrew. The Committee then adjourned to Friday at 10 o'Glock.

Mr. G. J. Austin. W June, 1861.

Friday, 2 Ist June, 1861. Committee met pursuant to adjournment.

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21 June, 1861.

Present:— < Mr. McGlashan, \ Mr. O'Neill, " Dick, "' Williamson, " Mason. Hon. Mr. Weld. Mr. Graham in the Chair. Minutes of last Meeting were read and confirmed. A Petition from the Provincial Council of Nelson to the House of Representatives read. Mr. Dick moved, and the Question was proposed,—That this Committee is of opinion that a Bill should be immediately introduced by the Government forbidding, under penalties, the importation of horned cattle from any place where the disease of Pleuro-Pneumonia is known to exist. Mr, O'Neill moved in Amendment, That the words " the Governor in Council to declare from time to time the places to which the provisions of the Bill shall apply," be added thereto. And the Amendment being put it passed in the affirmative. The motion as amended was then put and agreed to. The Chairman read a Draft Report. Resolved that the Report as read be adopted, and presented to the House. The Committee then adjourned sine die.