234 
The Outbreak of Cattle-Plague. 
the case would be met, so far as the Willcsden outbreak is concerned. He 
should like, however, Professor Simonds to give an expression of his opinion 
on the subject. 
Professor Simonds said there could be but one opinion with regard to the 
gravity of the present outbreak. When it was first ascertained that cattle- 
plague had appeared in England, it was hoped that as Deptford, where it 
first appeared, possessed special facilities for preventing the extension of the 
disease, it would not spread further. Unfortunately, however, ii did spread, 
and it was a singular fact that the next outbreak took place on the north 
side of the Thames. This second outbreak had proved to be the chief focus 
of infection, from which the disease had spread, some of the outbreaks having 
taken place in the metropolis at a period of time which would lead one 
almost to suppose that the disease had been suppressed, showing clearly that 
some special cause for the spread of infection was in operation. The disease 
thus went on at uncertain intervals, and gained a footing in Essex ; and now, 
unfortunately, had returned to Middlesex — outside the metropolis. There 
could be no doubt that the local authorities possess sufficient power, but it is 
not always sufficiently exercised. Looking at this outbreak as a whole, 
there was abundant evidence of that. The first infected place he himself 
visited was at Limehouse, and he there met an officer of the local authority, 
the Metropolitan Board of Works. He gave an opinion that the disease was 
undoubtedly cattle-plague ; the Privy Council Inspector was also there at the 
time, but lie (Professor Simonds) was requested to go down to confirm the 
inspector's opinion. There were then three cows lying dead in the place, one 
or two in a dying condition ; and notwithstanding this, lie was asked by the 
representative of the local authority whether the other animals might not be 
removed. That would serve to show the ideas entertained by individuals who 
have had little or no opi>ortuuity of becoming acquainted with this fatal 
disease ; and he feared one might go farther, and say that some of the 
inspectors in different parts of the country are themselves insufficiently 
acquainted with the laws which govern the spread, or, in other words, with 
the causes which are in operation leading to the extension of the disease. As 
Professor Brown poiots out in his Beport, in every instance we have had 
the disease communicated in some unknown manner. There is no clear 
■evidence in any one of the present outbreaks, numerous as they have been, of 
the manner in which the disease has been conveyed from one centre to 
another. That is not surprising in view of the manner in which these cases 
are practically dealt with. For instance, if an outbreak takes place in a 
London dairy, the owner, in the first place, probably hesitates as to what may 
be the nature of the affection. He consequently gives no notice to the authori- 
ties. He waits a day or two ; the disease progresses ; he begins to think that 
his animals are suffering from cattle-plague, and he then sends to the market 
probably the whole of the animals, or a greater part of those, which in his 
judgment give no evidence of the disease. This has been done in past 
instances, and always will be done when an opportunity exists. There are 
a large number of persons who are cow-keepers, but the animals in their 
possession do not belong to them. They may be said to belong to cattle- 
contractors, who receive so much money for their hire. When any of the 
animals give an insufficient quantity of milk they are sent to the butcher, or 
removed by the contractor, and others put in their place. This system leads 
to drovers and other persons being continually about the premises, and going 
from one shed to another without reference as to whether the animals they 
have been among are healthy or otherwise. Then there are the butchers ; 
and it is certain that there are butchers in London, as well as elsewhere, who 
-are always ready to buy animals whether they are diseased or not, and it 
■is a fact that the animals which have gone from the cattle-sheds where 
