394 



Report on Diseases of Animals. [aug., 



under experimental conditions — it may retain its virulence for 

 three or four months. 



It would appear from the experience in the Edinburgh out- 

 break, that the conditions necessary for the long unkeep of 

 virulence may be found inside a bale of hay during the cool 

 season of the year. The hay in question had been imported 

 fully two and a half months before it was brought in contact 

 with the animals which developed the disease, and assuming 

 that it was contaminated on the farm of origin, of which, 

 however, there was no evidence, the virus might in such case 

 be held to have remained active for at least three and a half 

 months. It had certainly retained its virulence for two and a 

 half months, since it had during that period been beyond all 

 sources of possible contamination. 



Mr. Stockman's investigations into the disease known as 

 Red-water, which are described in his Report, are summarised 

 on page 395 of this Journal, 



Mr. Anstruther's Report deals with the administrative work 

 carried out under the Acts, which was unusually heavy during 

 the year. 



As regards Swine Fever, it is observed that although the 

 record for the year 1908 is in some respects a disappointing 

 one, there seems reason to believe that the recent recrude- 

 scence of the disease has now been checked, and that a general 

 improvement in the position may be looked for in 1909. 



The position as regards Sheep Scab at the end of 1908 was 

 by no means unfavourable, and it appeared that progress was 

 being made towards its ultimate eradication, although that 

 goal was not yet in sight. Experience is year by year being 

 gained, and the professional questions arising in connection 

 with the disease and its behaviour in the field are receiving 

 the closest attention. The fact that the disease dies down 

 annually in the summer months only to rise again to a greater 

 or less extent on the approach of winter, raises questions 

 which still require careful investigation, and it may only, 

 perhaps, be when the reason for this annual decline is more 

 clearly understood that the final extinction of the disease will 

 be secured. 



A new Order relating to Glanders came into operation at 

 the beginning of the year. This Order aims at the complete 



