586 VETEEINAEY HYGIENE 



to evacuate the stables or lines ; this simple measure is 

 often attended by the best results, and the camp should be 

 moved after every fatal case has occurred. 



It is not easy to explain the action of this method, it cer- 

 tainly removes susceptible animals from possibly infected 

 centres, and from ground which has been soiled by the dis- 

 charge from the sick ; but moving about per se is difficult 

 to explain as a preventive measure, though of its value we 

 have had many opportunities of judging. 



If the sacrifice is not too great, it would be well to destroy 

 what remains of the forage unless it can be so treated as to 

 render it harmless ; but though this might be attempted in 

 the case of grain, with hay or dried grass, which is the 

 more likely source of infection, no means exists of disinfect- 

 ing it in bulk, so it had better be burned, provided the in- 

 tensity of the outbreak justifies this course being adopted. 

 No loss, of course, is incurred by dealing with the hand- 

 gathered bundles of Indian grass which should be at once 

 disposed of. 



The administration of drugs as a preventive is useless ; 

 we know of no disease, excepting horse-sickness of South 

 Africa, where one feels so utterly helpless in the face of a 

 big outbreak ; but it is evident a change of food-supply and 

 water is desirable, especially avoiding those parts where 

 grass has recently been dug up, which may be the identical 

 place from whence the disease was originally derived. 



In dealing with outbreaks in England both the food and 

 water supply should be changed, the latter as a precautionary, 

 the former as an essential measure. If certain pastures 

 are recognised as being infective, it is common sense to avoid 

 them. If the subjects are cattle the feeding cake should be 

 looked to, and none given without it being boiled as a pre- 

 cautionary measure ; if horses both the oats and hay should 

 receive attention. If the oats cannot be sacrificed they can 

 be boiled, the hay on the other hand had better not be 

 risked. 



Every outbreak must be dealt with on its merits, and the 

 hasty destruction of a large quantity of hay is to be depre- 



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