£9ii.] Reports on Diseases of Animals Acts. 483 



The Annual Reports, by the Chief Veterinary Officer (Mr. 

 S. Stockman) and by the Assistant Secretary, Animals Divi- 



Reports on the sion < Mr ' A ' W ' Anstruther, C.B.), of 



Proceedings of the tne proceedings of the Board under the 

 Board under the Diseases of Animals Acts, 1894 t0 I 9 IO > 

 Diseases of and the Markets and Fairs (Weighing 



of Cattle) Acts, 1887 and 1891 for the 

 year 1910, have recently been published (Cd. 5606, price is.). 



The Report of the Chief Veterinary Officer consists of a 

 general Report on the veterinary work arising from outbreaks 

 of foot-and-mouth disease, swine fever, glanders, anthrax, 

 and sheep-scab, and of a Report on the scientific investiga- 

 tions undertaken in the Laboratory. The subjects dealt with in 

 most detail refer to a trypanosome of British cattle, bracken- 

 poisoning, the warble-fly, and the habits of British ticks 

 found on sheep and cattle. 



The Report of the Assistant Secretary refers to the ad- 

 ministrative measures which were taken during the year under 

 the Diseases of Animals Acts. 



During the year 1910 foot-and-mouth disease again made 

 its appearance in Great Britain, but the outbreak was fortu- 

 nately detected in its early stages, and the infection did not 

 spread. The number of outbreaks of swine fever fell from 

 1,650 in 1909 to 1,598 in 1910, of sheep-scab from 685 to 556, 

 and of glanders and farcy from 533 to 351. On the other 

 hand, the number of outbreaks of anthrax reported to the 

 Board by the local authorities increased from 1,317 to 1,496. 



With regard to foot-and-mouth disease, the fullest inquiry 

 failed to establish the source from which the infection in this 

 instance came. Many clues were followed up, but there was 

 not sufficient evidence upon which to base an authoritative 

 conclusion. 



The position as regards swine fever generally leaves much 

 to be desired, and Mr. Anstruther observes that it is not easy 

 to see how any substantial improvement is to be brought 

 about in the near future. 



The reduction in the outbreaks of sheep-scab, on the other 

 hand, is a matter for satisfaction, and the Inspectors of the 

 Board report that the Dipping Orders throughout the country 

 were, on the whole, well enforced, and that a general feeling 



