258 Annual E.e port for \^lAi of Ro If al W'terinari/ Collef/e. 



These figures are verj^ remarkable because of the extent to 

 which they fall below any estimate that might have been based 

 ou information previously available regarding the occurrence 

 of tuberculosis among British cattle. The total number of 

 cows and heifers in milk or in calf on June 4, 1913, was 

 2,695,391, and the figures in the Table show that the proportion 

 of such animals dealt with under the Order was almost exactly 1 

 in 400. It would be very good news if one could accept this as a 

 true measure of the occurrence of cases of tuberculosis disease 

 of the udder, and of tuberculosis with emaciation among the 

 cows and heifers in this country — first becaiise it would be 

 gratifying to know that the loss inflicted by the disease on 

 owners is so small, and, secondly, because it would indicate 

 that the number of cows yielding milk dangerous to human 

 beings is far less than has hitherto been supposed. Unfor- 

 tunately, the figures cannot be so accepted. The proper inter- 

 pretation of them is that during the first year of its operation the 

 provisions of the Order with regard to notification were ignored 

 by the majority of owners. On a moderate estimate, probably 

 not less than 1 per cent, of the milch cows and heifers in Great 

 Britain in the course of twelve months develop symptoms 

 which would bring them under the provisions of the Order. 



That the majority of cases were not notified is also made clear 

 from the small proportion of premises from which cases were 

 reported, and by the fact that in the immense majority of 

 instances not more than one animal was notified during the 

 year from the same herd. Thus, it will be observed that out of 

 the total of 6,245 premises (or herds) from which suspected 

 tuberculous disease was notified there cannot have been more 

 than 493 with more than one case in the year. 



It was, of course, not to be expected that during the first 

 year of its operation the Order would lead to the slaughter of 

 every animal affected with the tuberculosis to the extent 

 specified in its provisions, as many owners were doubtless 

 ignorant of the duty to report suspicious cases, which was for 

 the first time laid upon them. 



But even when full allowance is made for this, the facts 

 suggest that there has been widespread evasion of the law. 

 This is greatly to be regretted — (1) because there is now general 

 agreement that the milk of such cows as had to be reported 

 under the Order is dangerous for human beings, and (2) 

 because to keep such animals in a herd is certain to increase 

 the owner's losses from tuberculosis. 



Contagious Abortion. 



In the month of May, 1912, a circular was issued to members 

 of the Society calling attention to the increased possibilities of 



I 



