INTRODUCTION. 9 



in them by the Legislature, and it seems very possible that the 

 step above spoken of may be carried out before long. 



Swine fever existed in England to a large degree at the close 

 of 1887, and even in October, 1888, this disease is still raging. 

 We give here the return of cattle diseases as stated in the 

 London Gazette of Friday for the week ending December 24th, 

 1887, showing that the undermentioned contagious diseases of 

 animals at that time existed to the following extent : — 



In the case of swine fever the small number of animals 

 slaughtered by the local authorities is most observable, there 

 being no fewer than 425 pigs attacked that had not died or been 

 slaughtered, while 60 were said to have recovered. In Essex 

 140 pigs affected with the disease were allowed to live, and in 

 Suffolk 66. These two counties, then, supplied nearly one-half 

 of the diseased animals which were not slaughtered. 



Sheep-scab, to the consideration of which we shall come in due 

 course, also still existed in England at the above date. 



As the above table shows us, rabies was not at the dale re- 

 ferred to entirely stamped out in England, in spite of the very 

 energetic measures which have fortunately well-nigh succeeded 

 in staying its terrible ravages. Probably no one who has ever 

 witnessed this disease in human beings, or indeed in dogs or 

 any other animals, will hesitate for a single instant to conclude 

 that the Legislature, Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy 

 Council, and all those who have aided in carrying out these 

 various enactments are greatly to be congratulated on account 

 of the success which has attended their efforts, and the good 

 results which have accrued to England in consequence of the 

 measures which have been carried out at different times. 



In conclusion, we may lay some emphasis on another point. 



