1058' 



FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE. 



[Mar., 



The present policy of the Ministry in dealing with Foot-and- 

 Mouth Disease is the " stamping out " policy, that is, the exter- 

 mination of the virus of the disease by the immediate slaughter 

 of affected animals, and of other anim a Is which, owing to their 

 direct contact with the former, are certain to become infected. 

 As the virus of the disease can be carried long distances by the 

 feet of other animals, or by the feet and clothes of persons, and 

 even by birds or by the wind, the disposal of affected stock as 

 promptly as possible is the most effective means of eradication. 

 In pursuit of this policy the Ministry had up to 19th February 

 authorised the slaughter of 17,249 cattle, 7,850 sheep, 6,788 

 pigs and 33 goats. 



The origin of the outbreak is still obscure, but the evidence so 

 far available points to the fact that many markets were infected 

 before disease was reported to the Authorities. The following is 

 a list of infected markets (ascertained up to 19th February) and 

 the date when it appears diseased animals were exposed thereat s 



England. 



Newcastle - 



Hull - 



Gateshead - 

 Northallerton 

 York - 

 Wakefield - 

 Doncaster - 

 Worksop 

 Carlisle 

 Kendal 

 Manchester - 

 Chester 

 Crewe - 



Market Drayton 

 Stockton 

 Darlington - 

 Preston 



( 14th Jan. 

 { 23rd Jan. 

 ( 17th Jan. 

 | 23rd Jan. 



24th Jan. 



25th Jan. 



26th Jan. 



27th Jan. 



24th Jan. 



25th Jan. 



21st Jan. 



23rd Jan. 



27th Jan. 



26th Jan. 



23rd Jan. 



25th Jan. 



25th Jan. 



23 id Jan. 



27th Jan. 



Stanford-le-Hope 



Bradford - 



Otley 



Malton 



Leeds 



Norwich - 



27th Jan. 

 24th Jan. 

 27th Jan. 

 28th Jan. 

 24th Jan. 

 f 28th Jan. 

 [ 4th Feb. 

 Ipswich - - - 30th Jan. 

 Sheffield - Uncertain. 

 Islington (London) - 31st Jan. 



Scotland. 

 Berwick - 27th or 28th Jan. 

 Glasgow - - - 25th Jan. 

 Edinburgh - Date uncei tain. 

 Stirling - - - 26th Jan. 

 Dundee - - - 31st Jan, 

 Greenock - - 31st Jan. 



Paisley - - 30th Jan. 



( 20th Jan. 



Perth - " "j 27th Jan. 



142 outbreaks had been 

 at these markets, and 



Up to 19th February no fewer than 

 traced directly to infection contracted 

 inquiries with a view to tracing the chain of infection more com- 

 pletely are proceeding. It is also known that on 21st January a 

 consignment of 44 cattle was shipped from Hull to Antwerp and 

 that 5 of these animals on arrival at Antwerp showed lesions of 

 Foot-and-Mouth Disease. 



As soon as it became evident — on 30th January — that diseased 

 animals must have been exposed at the above-mentioned markets, 



