198 VETERINARY HYGIENE 



without delay, if he suspects the existence of other infectious 

 maladies among his animals, as the veterinary surgeon can give 

 advice and directions calculated to check the further spread of the 

 trouble. In a great many instances owners of animals adopt a 

 procrastinating attitude that is fatal to the welfare of their stock 

 and harmful to their own personal interests. 



Failure to give prompt notification of the suspected presence of 

 a scheduled disease by a veterinary practitioner or owner of an 

 affected animal is punishable by a fine, and in some instances by 

 imprisonment. 



PROPHYLAXIS. Prophylactic measures are the means taken to 

 prevent as far as possible the appearance of disease. While the 

 term is generally applied in connection with infectious diseases the 

 steps taken to prevent the onset of any preventable disease are 

 also prophylactic in character. Thus, the restriction of the diet of 

 working horses during idle days is a prophylactic measure against 

 azoturia and lymphangitis. 



With the infectious diseases that are under official control 

 prophylactic measures are put into force by the authorities con- 

 cerned, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, and the Local 

 Authorities. In the case of diseases that are not scheduled as 

 notifiable diseases prophylaxis is dependent upon the foresight of 

 the owners of stock and that of their veterinary advisors. For 

 the maximum benefit to be obtained from prophylaxis the active 

 steps must be taken, in the case of an infectious trouble, before the 

 disease has made its appearance in a district or premises. 



The measures include publication of the fact that a disease has 

 appeared in a certain area, so as to give warning to other people in 

 order that they may take further action to guard against the 

 trouble. 



The Local Authorities have the power to advertise in the public 

 press, to post notices in public places, and to placard the infected 

 premises. Public notification of the existence of an infectious 

 disease is of undoubted value, but care should be taken to avoid the 

 causation of undue alarm. With the information to the public 

 that a specific and infectious disease exists among stock, or is likely 

 to appear owing to its proximity in another district, advice should be 

 given by competent persons as to the best methods to be adopted to 

 keep their premises and animals clear of infection. Unnecessary 

 traffic among neighbouring farms or stables should be avoided, 

 premises should be kept clean, animals should be well attended to ; 

 they should be well fed and not overworked. 



Naturally prophylactic details differ with the character of the 



