iv PREFACE 



tracted an infectious disease through the negligence of 

 another. "While it is not intended that the veterinarian 

 shall take the place of a lawyer, still, a knowledge of 

 the principles, as contained in Part IV, will often enable 

 him to serve his patrons better, and save them needless 

 trouble and expense. The remainder of the book will 

 be found useful for occasional reference. 



Official veterinarians, whether they be connected with 

 the Bureau of Animal Industry in the Department of 

 Agriculture, or in state and local offices, should have a 

 clear idea as to the limitations of their authority, and 

 the nature of their responsibilities. In addition to the 

 outline of their legal status. Part III gives a condensed 

 statement of the present regulations of the B. of A. I., 

 in the handling of stock, and the conduct of the meat 

 industry. It is suggested that the inspector mark the 

 margins of his book, opposite appropriate sections, with 

 the numbers of official orders applicable where fuller de- 

 tails are needed. For example : The special disinfectant 

 applicable in a given case may be changed at any time 

 by scientific advancement, and this text therefore simply 

 speaks of ''disinfectants." The inspector may increase 

 the usefulness of his book by the appropriate notation. 



General sanitarians may find this manual useful for 

 occasional reference, though for them it is not intended 

 that it will take the place of a more ample discussion 

 found elsewhere. However, some sanitary inspectors 

 may find herein as much as they need, and may there- 

 fore prefer it to the more expensive work. 



The number and variety of actions at law in which 

 stockmen are involved seems astounding; yet the prin- 

 ciples governing are not numerous, and there is a 

 general uniformity in the decisions handed down from 

 the courts of appeal. Stockmen have gained a reputa- 

 tion for lawlessness, probably more because of ignorance 

 of the simple principles of law, than because of inherent 

 wickedness. Every stockman owes it to himself to be- 



