No. 4.] 



CATTLE COMMISSIONERS. 



4!) 9 



The average annual death rate throughout England and Wales 

 during the twenty years previous to 1870 did not vary greatly from 

 22.5 per 1,000 of population ; and it was estimated by Mr. Simon 

 that 125,000 persons died each year of diseases due to defective 

 sanitary conditions. Although Simon's figures were thought by 

 some to be exaggerated, they nevertheless had great weight in 

 persuading Parliament to adopt the reforms recommended by him. 

 During the next twenty years extensive improvements were carried 

 out on a large scale, with the result that in 1889 the mortality had 

 fallen to 17.9 per 1,000, thus more than justifying the calculations 

 of Simon. 



In referring to this same subject, Prof. F. Smith of Alder- 

 shot, in his " Manual of Veterinary Hygiene," says : — 



The mortality amongst the horses of the French cavalry was at 

 one time frightful ; previous to 1836 they lost 180 to 197 per 1,000 

 per annum ; the air space being increased reduced the losses in the 

 next ten years to 68 per 1,000. 



The following table * shows the number of cases of lung and 

 glanders diseases among the horses of the French cavalry from 

 1847-66, a period of nineteen years : — 



This table shows that in nineteen years a reduction of 16.08 per 

 1,000 had occurred in cases of glanders, and no less than 101.11 

 in cases of pneumonia and pleurisy. These wonderful results were 

 obtained through the labors of a Commission of Veterinary Military 

 Hygiene, which pointed out the necessity of the ventilation of 

 stables, increased cubic capacity and attention to sanitation, 

 feeding and general care. The practical outcome of these results 

 was that a saving of £90,000 per annum was effected in the 

 purchase of horses alone. 



* Copied from a most interesting and valuable paper on " The Vital Statistics of 

 Cavalry Horses," by Dr. Balfour, F.R.S., " Journal of the Statistical Society," 

 June, 1880. 



