44 SMAI-L-POX IN SIIKKP. 



they (the officers) were to be apprised of this communication, and 

 enjoined to a strict attention to the matter, with reference to tlie pre- 

 vious order of the Government on the subject, taking care not to fail 

 to represent to the Board any matter that should arise fit for their 

 cognizance. It will be seen that the present order is similar to those 

 issued in 1845 on the subject, and will, as on that occasion, require 

 an official inspection of all cattle imported by a veterinary surgeon 

 on the part of the Crown, previously to their delivery and admission 

 for home consumption, which shall appear to be in a diseased 

 state." 



If we investigate the laws that govern the extension 

 of variolous affections, and to which sheep-pox offers no 

 exception, it will be evident that the above order is not 

 calculated to afford that amount of security to our 

 native flocks which is required ; for sheep in whose 

 systems the disease lies dormant, will give no evidence 

 of its incubation, and consequently it will elude the 

 scrutiny of the inspector ; and as the subsequent dis- 

 posal of the imported animals is left altogether free, so 

 infected sheep may find their way to various localities, 

 and be mixed with our own breeds ; and that outbreak 

 which has happened will thus occur again and again. 



We can but regret the inefficiency of these preventive 

 measures ; but, while we thus give utterance to our 

 opinions, we are quite certain that, should the neces- 

 sity arise, the Government will act with promptness in 

 all cases of emergency, and immediately adopt the 

 most stringent measures to prevent the spread of this 

 fatal malady. On this subject, the talented writer of 

 the "Monthly Review of the Cattle Trade" in the 

 Mark Lane Express,^ and also in the Fanner s Maga- 

 zine, thus expresses himself: — 



* No. 831, November 29, 1847. 



