634 
Botes, Cotntnunications, anb 
THE RELATIONS OF THE DISEASES OF 
ANIMALS TO THOSE OF MAN. 
This year's session of the International Congress of Hygiene and 
Demography will be memorable in the agricultural world from the 
fact that, for the first time in the history of the meetings of the 
Congress, there has been a section entirely devoted to what may 
fairly be termed the interests of the community generally and of 
agriculturists specially. 
The President, Col. Sir Nigel Kingscote, K.C.B., in his opening 
address struck the key-note: "The subjects," he said, "that we 
shall have to discuss are of the greatest and most immediate im- 
portance to all classes of the community in every country, and I 
think myself happy in having been honoured with the presidency of 
the first assemblage of medical men, veterinarians, and agriculturists 
who have ever met on common ground to discuss questions of the 
profoundest interest to them and to the world at large." 
From the record of work done at these meetings there can be little 
doubt that the objects kept in view by those responsible for the forma- 
tion of this section (amongst whom certain Members of Council of the 
Royal Agricultural Society of England took a prominent part) have 
been fully attained, for there has been a freer interchange of ideas 
and opinions amongst the different sections of practical and scientific 
men above mentioned than has previously taken place. The subject 
has been approached from the point of view of those engaged in 
practical agriculture, from that of the skilled veterinarian (both 
British and foreign), and lastly from the side of the scientific hygienist 
and medical officer of health ; and it is interesting to note, from the 
•whole tenor of the discussions, that all could agree that interests 
which are sometimes held to be conflicting have really much in 
common, and that what is best for the community at large is also un- 
doubtedly best for the interest of cattle-breeders and of agriculturists 
generally. It may be well, therefore, to give a short r^sumd of the 
more important facts that were brought out in the various discus- 
sions — discussions which were carried on with such vigour and 
animation, but withal with such courtesy and good temper, that 
