172 



Diseases of Animals Acts. [June, 



fact that they have recently dipped their sheep to overlook the 

 earlier symptoms of the disease, which they had hoped by that 

 process to have eliminated, and thus to fail to give prompt 

 notice of the disease to the authorities. 



The importance of the above cautions is enforced by the fact 

 that as regards some parts of the districts in which compulsory 

 dipping was enforced during 1906, the returns for the first 

 quarter of the current year show a substantial increase in the 

 prevalence of sheep-scab, notwithstanding the fact that there 

 is no evidence that the compulsory dipping requirements were 

 not in the letter complied with. 



On the other hand sheep dipping is attended with beneficial 

 results, apart altogether from the eradication of sheep-scab, of a 

 character which renders its general adoption eminently desirable, 

 It is also useful, where efficiently carried out, as a safeguard 

 against the spread of disease. These considerations appear to 

 justify its compulsory enforcement. There is also evidence to 

 show that sheep-owners who have been obliged to take to the 

 practice of periodic dipping, have in many cases already come 

 to see the benefits which are derived therefrom, both as regards 

 the improved quality of the wool-clip, and the general health of 

 their flock, and individual sheep-owners have gone out of their 

 way to testify to the Inspectors of the Board as to the good 

 results that have been brought about in this connection. 



In the case of swine-fever a very considerable rise in the 

 total number of outbreaks occurred in 1906, there being 1,236 

 as compared with 463 in 1905. Although at. first sight it would 

 appear that such a recrudescence of swine-fever must militate 

 seriously against the prospect of the eventual success of the 

 measures adopted for its eradication, a closer examination 

 of the question goes to show that such need not necessarily 

 be the case. Had it been found that disease was on the 

 increase throughout the country, and that the steps taken 

 to control its spread had failed to effect their object, there might 

 well be cause for disappointment amounting almost to despair. 

 Such, however, is clearly not the case so far as last year's 

 operations are concerned . Out of the 50 administrative counties 

 into which England is divided 4 remained free from the disease 

 throughout the years 1905 and 1906, and in 15 counties the 

 return of outbreaks for 1906 was lower than in 1905, the improve- 



