On the diminution of the national wealth from cattle diseases

Abstract

In 1869 we had in Ireland 542,758 horses; 3,531,154 cattle; 4,141,280 sheep, and 1,157,734 pigs. The gross value of these was upwards of #50,000,000. The question I propose to submit for the consideration of the Society this evening is the proportion of this which was wasted by disease. The subject is very comprehensive; so much so, that I find I cannot adequately discuss it in one paper. Up to the present no attempt has been made to put even an approximately correct estimate of the loss before the public.