530 VETEEINAEY HYGIENE 



What are the facts regarding swine fever which have a 

 direct hygienic bearing ? 



First and foremost it is a contagious disease due to a 

 sj)ecific organism. It cannot arise spontaneously, though 

 this was affirmed by a Cabinet Minister responsible for the 

 Agricultural Department. It can only arise as the result 

 of contact with infection from a pre-existing case of the 

 disease. 



If this is not fully recognised, and the country prefers to 

 accept the Cabinet Minister as a pathologist, then it is 

 absolute waste of money giving compensation. There is 



Again : 



' So soon, therefore, as the disease declines in a district, determined 

 resistance is offered to protective restrictions, with the result that 

 necessary precautions are either withdrawn or neglected, with the 

 inevitable consequence that the disease soon flares up again and 

 spreads rapidly.' 



The same official's report for 1902 is in a similar strain. After 

 explaining the advantage of imposing rigid restrictions on the move- 

 ments of swine, and recognizing that the spread of the disease is due 

 to movements, he goes on to say that certain restrictions imposed in 

 Cheshire and Somerset had been tried with good results. 



' In view of these facts the Board determined to recommend gener- 

 ally to local authorities action on similar lines. This course was 

 taken in preference to direct action on the part of the Board, because 

 it was held in such matters the local authority were best able to 

 judge the special needs of their own district, and trade of their locality.' 

 ***** 



' It rapidly became apparent that, with a few regrettable exceptions, 

 local authorities were ready to fall in with the views of the Board in 

 this matter, as far at any rate as movements of swine into their dis- 

 trict were concerned, and in these circumstances it was thought 

 desirable to frame for the assistance and guidance of local authorities 

 a set of Begulations.' 



It seems beyond belief that a Grovernment Department charged with 

 carrying out the law, under a strong Act of Parliament, can plead 

 such a case ! 



We are clearly told that the local authorities fight against the law 

 they are called upon to administer, and yet in face of this they are 

 entrusted with carrying it out, as in the opinion of the Board of 

 Agriculture they (the local authorities) are the best judges of the 

 special needs of their own district ! 



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