Report on the Trade in Animals. 
195 
however, are authorised to make "from time to time, by order, 
such further or other provision as thej think expedient respecting 
animals becoming affected with foot-and-mouth disease," &c. 
This power has been used to enact as foUows (Animals Order, 
d.ated December 20, 1871, came into operation beginning of 
the year 1872) : — 
" § 28. A local authority maj'', from time to time, with the view of prevent- 
ing the spreading of foot-nnd -month disease, make regulations for the following 
purposes, or any of them : — 
"For prohibiting or regulating the movement out of any field, stable, 
cowshed, or other premises in which foot-and-mouth disease has 
beeu found to exist, of any animal that has been in the same field, 
stable, cowshed, or other premises with or in contact with any 
animal affected with foot-and-mouth disease." 
The responsibility of taking measures to prevent the spread of 
foot-and-mouth disease therefore rests with the local authorities ; 
that is to say, they maj/ take such measures if they choose to do 
so ; but if they do not consider it expedient, or worth the trouble 
and expense of doing so, the Privy Council has no power to 
compel them. 
There are two classes of local authorities, who may be termed, 
respectively, the " urban " and the " rural " authorities ; and most 
of the variations of practice which may be discovered amongst 
local authorities in England appear capable of arrangement into 
two classes, which vary according to the urban or rural interests of 
the districts. Thus, in ports and other large towns and cities, the 
local authorities appoint a duly qualified veterinary inspector to 
carry out, not only § 57 of the Act, but more particularly sec- 
tions having reference to more serious diseases, such as sheep-pox, 
which, if passed undetected in their market, would probably result 
in a sacrifice of human life, and would certainly cause a great 
public scandal. Such local authorities seldom make regulations 
under § 28 of the Animals Order, and it would be against their 
interest to do so. Their desire is to make their market as free and 
attractive as possible ; and although persons sending diseased 
animals are prosecuted and fined, yet it is not to be expected that 
the authorities of towns would make regulations with a view of 
restricting the movement of such diseased animals and of other 
stock that had been in contact with them, unless they were com- 
pelled by law to do so. On the contrary, they are only too anxious 
to get rid of diseased animals as soon as possible. In Ireland, as 
we shall see, such regulations exist on paper, but are not carried out 
by the authorities ; and some magistrates in Great Britain appear 
to hold the opinion that it is useless to impose fines for offences 
against the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act, because the Act 
