260 THE HISTORY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



As is well known, England has been repeatedly invaded by 

 the rinderpest, which has caused the people to lose millions of 

 pounds in valuable cattle ; while legislation has been wofully im- 

 perfect in this regard, owing to the unfortunate influence exerted 

 by the London Veterinary School in times past ; still Britain has 

 not been without patriotic and excellent advisers. Among the 

 most noteworthy was a Mr. Bates, surgeon to George I, who wrote 

 in 1714, but his advice seems to have fallen upon barren ground 

 in later years. Bates was appointed by the Government to study 

 the disease, and to devise means for its prevention. He writes, 

 after examining a large number of diseased animals : " We then 

 ordered some of the sick cows to be housed, and several sorts of 

 cattle to be kept with them, to see whether the contagion would 

 affect any other species. The next day I made a verbal report to 

 their Excellencies of all' the several opinions and discourses which 

 I have had about it, and left them debating what method to take ; 

 at last I was called in, and ordered to consider it again the next 

 day, and to deliver them in writing what would be proper to be 

 done. Accordingly, I drew up and gave them the following pro- 

 posals : 



" 1. That all such cows as are now in possession of Messrs. Rat- 

 cliife, Rufford, and Pullen, be brought, killed, and burned ; or, at 

 least, that the sick be burned, and the well kept secured on the 

 grounds where they now are, that such of them that sicken and die 

 of the distemper may be burned. 



" 2. That the houses in which the sick cows have stood be washed 

 very clean, and then smoked by the burning of pitch and wormwood, 

 and be kept empty three months, at least, before other cows be put 

 therein. 



" 3. That the fields where the sick cows have grazed be kept 

 two months before any other cows are suffered to stand or graze 

 upon them. 



" 4. That persons looking after such that are ill should have no 

 communication with those that are well. 



" 5. That the same methods be observed if any other of the cow- 

 keepers should get this distemper among them ; and that they all be 

 summoned, and told that as soon as they perceive any of the cows 

 refuse their food, or have any other symptoms of this distemper, 

 they immediately separate them from the others, and give notice to 

 such persons as your Excellencies shall appoint, that they may be 

 burned ; and the places where they have stood or grazed ordered 

 as before. 



