608 PLEURO-PNEUMON1A. 



continue to import disease, and lose millions by such impor- 

 tations. In an article on pleuro-pneumonia in Holland, 

 which appeared in our last number, and the facts of which 

 were gleaned from a blue-book, it is shown how extensively 

 that country is swept by cattle-plagues, whence we chiefly 

 obtain foreign store cattle for our dairies or for feeding pur- 

 poses. If our imports of live cattle vary from 30,000 to 

 60,000 per annum, it is evident that there is a wide field for 

 the contamination of our home stock, and this is facilitated, 

 Istly, By the wants of the country throughout its whole 

 length and breadth ; 2ndly, By the totally unchecked trade 

 in diseased animals; Srdly, By the absence of all proper 

 means to detect and counteract disease. If thousands of men 

 were landed from countries infected by yellow fever or other 

 pestilence, and systematically communicated these amongst 

 us, vigorous efforts would soon be made, and even quarantine 

 enforced for our own protection; but we observe precisely 

 such an occurrence as affecting our cattle, and as the 

 country is wealthy enough not to be destroyed by it, the loss 

 is tolerated, and no attention paid to the consequences of a 

 most pernicious traffic. 



Free trade is surely not incompatible with an enlight- 

 ened inquiry as to the countries which are clear of cattle- 

 plagues, and those that are suffering from them. We need 

 not court a trade with that part above all others in Europe, 

 which is overrun with pleuro- pneumonia, and as fat cattle 

 ready to slaughter are needed by us more than lean cattle 

 and cows, which we can breed in such enormous numbers, 

 and better than our neighbours, we do not see why some 

 restrictions on the importation of cattle, to be exposed 

 amongst healthy stock here, should not be enforced. 



Can a Member not be found in Parliament to move in 

 this matter? The subject is worthy the most anxious and 



