990 



Outbreaks of Eabies. 



[Feb., 



Foot-and-Mouth Disease would involve a large reduction of 

 the milk supply as one of its many serious consequences, and 

 it is imperative that all who keep or deal in live stock should 

 watch most critically the condition of all cattle in their posses- 

 sion, especially if the animals are to be exposed at market. 

 Should any suspicious symptoms be detected, it is the duty of 

 the owner to report immediately to the Police. Such report, it 

 should be noted, is required by law. The symptoms to be looked 

 for particularly are lameness, slobbering at the mouth, and an 

 affection of the mucous membrane of mouth and tongue. Stock- 

 owners who fail in their duty in this matter not only incur 

 the risk of heavy fines and even of imprisonment, but also do a 

 grave disservice to their country. On the other hand, their 

 active co-operation with the Ministry in the task of eradicating 

 this dangerous disease is a national service of great importance. 

 The Ministry's efforts are rendered ineffectual if those respon- 

 sible for the care of live stock disregard the regulations and 

 fail to report. The owner's duty is merely to notify 

 suspicious cases to the Police ; the Ministry does the rest. The 

 initial step towards remedy lies with the owners ; their help, 

 therefore, is essential. 



There is little doubt that the recent serious outbreaks of 

 Rabies, which have necessitated the scheduling of enclosed areas 



Outbreaks of * n ^ j0n( ^ on an ^ several English counties, 

 ■« are due only to neglect of regulations. The 



Rabies : The Duty J ., 8 j , , u & — - 



of the Public measures prescribed by the Diseases 01 

 Animals Acts are rendered useless if the 

 public persists in careless disregard of precautions framed in the 

 general interest. As long as dog-owners and others fail in their 

 obvious duty, outbreaks of the disease must inevitably recur. 



Careful observance of regulations, strict watch on the health 

 of dogs, immediate report to the Police of any animals 

 exhibiting suspicious symptoms will enable the trouble to be 

 arrested. Dog-owners have the matter in their own hands, and 

 if they will only cease to regard preventive measures as vexa- 

 tious and unnecessary, and will do their best to aid the 

 authorities, rabies would soon be unknown. Those who do not 

 actually own dogs can also help by intelligent observation. 

 Should they see a dog behaving in a suspicious manner, they 

 ought to inform the Police, who will investigate the matter. 

 Evasion of movement restrictions or muzzling orders cannot 



