2GS The CaUle-Phujue. 



into cordial' co-oporation with the Government, and unless they 

 do unite in common action, all action will be absolutely 

 futile. 



In matters of this sort it will not do for personal effort to 

 be relaxed because the Government has stepped in to assume 

 the command. The strength of the nation can only be put 

 forth by the agency of local authorities, especially in a matter 

 descending into such minute details as this. On their integrity, 

 public spirit, intelligence and energy, the result, under God's 

 providence, must primarily depend. The Imperial sanction is 

 essential not only to enable the sound-minded many in a given 

 district to coerce the ignorant selfish few, but to ensure, in the 

 main, concerted action throughout Great Britain. 



Not only in the two cases above referred to, but in Aberdeen- 

 shire, the hindrances to efficient action have arisen from mutineers 

 at home. Much perplexity has been found to arise from the 

 irregularity of a county boundary. Many an English homestead 

 is more concerned about the course followed in an adjoining 

 county than in its own — so that in reference to this plague, the 

 question, Who is my neighbour ? can only be answered in the 

 widest sense. If, in Great Britain, an effectual cordon can be 

 drawn at all, it is only on our island shore, at the water-line ; Ave 

 are all in the same boat — concert and discipline must prevail 

 from stem to stern, and for this we must look to the captain's 

 authority. 



Although the results of isolation and slaughter may at the 

 present juncture be regarded with doubt, it is the part of wisdom 

 to ply them with determination. Under half measures and 

 divided councils we shall assuredly suffer grievous loss and 

 irksome - restraint, without any countervailing benefit. At the 

 same time the use of disinfectants to neutralize the poison, either 

 Avhen floating in the air or when adhering to solid or liquid 

 substances, must not be neglected. But even here, what slight 

 hope can be entertained of this being thoroughly done ? The 

 chemists do not agree as to the value of various agents. Many 

 consider that the virus of rinderpest is killed by flame only. 

 What farmer will undertake to burn all his manure — to take up 

 every pavement — to scrape every wall, post, fence, or hovel 

 partition, and then to drench them with Condy's or some other 

 fluid ? Still, though the process is likely to fail by reason of its 

 imperfection, it must not be neglected, nor must it be left to the 

 sufferers themselves to conduct. 



From the pursuit of such considerations as these it is impos- 

 sible to rise without a profound conviction that our strength and 

 hope for the future lie in prevention. Medicine has afforded us 

 no specific defence — isolation in a country densely populated, 



