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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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PLEURO-PNEUMONIA.