354 INFECTIVE DISEASES. 



in which swine fever is unknown, we are justified in concluding that 

 the contagium has not yet been discovered. 



The mistakes which are likely to occur when the same investi- 

 gator isolates bacilli from cases of swine fever, and subsequently 

 inoculates or feeds healthy swine, cannot be better illustrated than 

 by quoting from a leaflet issued by the Board of Agriculture, 

 pointing out the great precautions necessary to prevent accidental 

 infection. 



"There seems reason to believe that the disease is not infre- 

 quently introduced by means of persons who have been in contact 

 with diseased animals. Pig owners, therefore, are advised to prevent 

 strangers from at any time approaching their pigs, and should the 

 admission to the premises of spayers or castrators be necessary, 

 those persons should be required, before approaching the animals, to 

 thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water, and to wash and 

 disinfect their boots with a solution of carbolic acid and water, or 

 some other suitable disinfectant. Such persons might also with 

 advantage be required to wear, while operating, a waterproof apron, 

 which should be washed and disinfected before the wearer is per- 

 mitted to approach the animals to be operated on." 



Protective Inoculation. The experiments of Salmon and of 

 Schweinitz have been referred to in another chapter (pp. 41, 46). 

 A method of protective inoculation was attempted in America, but 

 the experiments were unsuccessful, and the plan was abandoned. 



Stamping-out System. Notification is compulsory, and the 

 order in force is the Swine Fever Order of 1896, but the stamping- 

 out system has not been applied in a thoroughly satisfactory manner, 

 .and the disease is still very prevalent. 



