1908.] 



Insurance of Live Stock. 



575 



It is therefore to the advantage of the club to see that its 

 members report the suspected existence of any contagious 

 disease which is dealt with by the local authority, especially 

 swine-fever, to the local police so as to obtain compensation 

 and avoid the whole loss falling on the funds of the society. 



This should be provided for in the rules, and it might with 

 advantage be laid down that no compensation should be paid 

 for loss in the event of a member failing to report a case of 

 contagious disease to the local authority. 



Employment of a Veterinary Surgeon. — Some clubs under- 

 take to pay the fees of a veterinary surgeon called in to attend 

 on sick animals, provided the necessary authority is first 

 obtained from the committee of the society. It would probably 

 be convenient to arrange with a veterinary surgeon to attend 

 in such cases at a fixed fee. 



Precautions in Cases of Contagious Disease. — When an animal 

 is taken ill, it is usual for certain members of the society to 

 inspect and value it, but should the disease be of a contagious 

 nature there is a great risk that it may be unintentionally 

 spread in this way. It is very important, therefore, that 

 members thus employed should take the precaution of 

 thoroughly disinfecting themselves upon leaving the cow shed 

 or pig sty where the ailing animal is housed. They should 

 wash their hands with soap and water, and their boots with 

 a solution of carbolic acid or with some other suitable 

 disinfectant. In the case of pigs, this is, owing to the possi- 

 bility of the disease being swine-fever, especially necessary. 



Should the existence of swine-fever be suspected, the owner 

 should give notice of the fact with all practicable speed to a 

 police constable in order that the provisions of the Swine- 

 Fever Order of 1908 may be put into operation. It is also of 

 importance that before entering a sty for the purpose of carry- 

 ing out their inspection the members of the committee should 

 ascertain whether or not the provisions of Article 2 of that 

 Order are already in operation, as to enter an infected place, 

 in which a diseased or suspected pig is, or has recently been 

 kept, would be an offence under the Diseases of Animals Act, 

 1894. 



Method of Raising Funds. — There is commonly an entrance- 

 fee and a fixed annual subscription for each animal, in addition 



