EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 27, 1888_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith a report from Hon. George H. Pendleton, our minister
to Germany, dated January 30, 1888, from which it appears that
trichinosis prevails to a considerable extent in certain parts of
Germany and that a number of persons have already died from the effects
of eating the meat of diseased hogs which were grown in that country.
I also transmit a report from our consul at Marseilles, dated February
4, 1888, representing that for a number of months a highly contagious
and fatal disease has prevailed among the swine of a large section of
France, which disease is thought to be very similar to hog cholera by
the Commissioner of Agriculture, whose statement is herewith submitted.
It is extremely doubtful if the law passed April 29, 1878, entitled "An
act to prevent the introduction of contagious or infectious diseases
into the United States," meets cases of this description.
In view of the danger to the health and lives of our people and the
contagion that may be spread to the live stock of the country by the
importation of swine or hog products from either of the countries named,
I recommend the passage of a law prohibiting such importation, with
proper regulations as to the continuance of such prohibition, and
permitting such further prohibitions in other future cases of a like
character as safety and prudence may require.