212 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. . 



awake to the importance of checking these disorders, as 

 they did rinderpest, they might have been free from them 

 years ago. 



In England they have veterinary inspectors at the ports 

 to examine cattle from abroad upon arrival. Cattle from 

 certain countries can be landed only for immediate slaughter. 

 I believe the United States is on the proscribed list now, on 

 account of contagious pleuro-pneumonia. 



In England but little has been done by veterinarians 

 towards advancing the scientific side of their profession. 

 Their education and ideas seem to be entirely practical, and 

 scientific research into contagious animal diseases has been 

 delegated to medical men, such as Klein and Burden Sander- 

 son. 



The value of veterinary science is certainly appreciated in 

 one way in Great Britain. That is, in the recognition of 

 the usefulness of the veterinarian by the large agricultural 

 societies. At the Royal Agricultural Society's Show, Smith- 

 field Fat Cattle Fair and the Cart Horse Exhibition, the 

 veterinary officer is an important individual. All animals, 

 even pigs, are examined for their ages. An animal whose 

 mouth indicates it to be older than the class for which it is 

 entered, is disqualified. The veterinarian does not say that 

 it is such and such an age, but simply that its mouth in- 

 dicates a certain age. That is enough ; the creature cannot 

 compete for a prize. Horses are examined for soundness by 

 the veterinarian, and, if unsound, cannot compete for pre- 

 miums. Cattle, sheep and swine are examined before en- 

 tering the grounds, and if found to have foot-and-mouth 

 disease, or any other contagious disorder, they are not 

 admitted. This is quite a contrast to most of the "cattle 

 shows" in this country, where unsound horses obtain prizes 

 over sound ones, and animals may be entered in a class with 

 younger ones as of the same age, and receive premiums on 

 account of their superior size, and no one any the wiser. 

 Fortunately, we have as yet little to fear at our animal 

 fairs from contagion, but the day is not far distant when 

 greater precautions must be taken. Besides these duties, the 

 veterinarian of an agricultural society, when at an exhibi- 

 tion, should prescribe for any sick creature, if the owner 



