8 THE DISEASES AND DISORDERS OF THE OX. 



of growth, raanner of reproduction, degree of dependence upon 

 air and heat, and of behaviour to certain chemical substances. 

 Exact knowledge of the life-history and of the conditions which 

 affect all bacteria — that is, not only those which produce dis- 

 ease, but also those which do not — is therefore requisite, and 

 of an importance which cannot be over-estimated, so immense 

 is it. 



With regard to the measures to be taken with a view to the 

 suppression of diseases, the general statement may be made that 

 mild animal plagues may be dealt with by means of isolation, 

 therapeutic measures, coupled with thorough disinfection; whereas, 

 on the other hand, the virulent diseases of animals can be sup- 

 pressed most easily and successfully by immediate slaughter of 

 all animals affected or exposed to infection, or, if it should be found 

 impracticable to kill the suspected animals, as, indeed, may often 

 be the case, by perfect isolation of all animals which have been 

 exposed to infection until the longest period of incubation has 

 passed by. During the outbreak the animals certainly ought not 

 to be removed, and all necessary regulations should be made in 

 regard to fairs and markets. 



The obvious objection to this recommendation being adopted 

 throughout the country is that it would be an expensive matter 

 at first. Those who support it, however, are of opinion that the 

 first expense in such cases is the best ; and, moreover, some of 

 us feel that, so far from flinching from this bold course, we ought 

 to feel glad that we are enabled on any terms whatsoever to fight 

 the arch-enemy, as these virulent diseases may well be typified, 

 with sanguine hopes of success. 



There are, of course, other aspects of this question, and it 

 must in fairness be allowed that it would be a rather serious 

 matter to decide without a great deal of advice and consultation. 

 One point is very clear, and that is that as things are now 

 managed there is serious loss at times. For instance, it may be 

 mentioned that in the week preceding Christmas 1887, this scourge, 

 pleuro-pneumonia, broke out in one of the best-known dairy 

 herds in Dorsetshire. The consequence was that the whole herd 

 had to be destroyed, and the total loss resulting was estimated 

 at about d63,0OO. Now it is for the purpose of avoiding the 

 continual losses which are apt to arise that agriculturists are 

 striving to induce the Privy Council to exercise the powers vested 



