THE VETERINARIAN, JANUARY 1, 1871. 
Ne quid falsi dicere audeat, ne quid veri non audeat. — C icebo. 
FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE AT THE SMITHFIELD SHOW. 
Since the cessation of cattle plague the restrictions of the 
cordon round the metropolis have been thrice relaxed in 
favour of the cattle exhibited at the annual show of the 
Smithfield Club, and twice out of the three times the con- 
cession has been rendered unavailing in consequence of an 
outbreak of foot and mouth complaint. 
On the first occasion, in December, 1868, the principal appre- 
hension was felt on account of the recent prevalence of plague, 
and the uncertainty as to the presence in the country of latent 
infection which might be developed in the midst of the assem- 
bled stock, and convert the exhibition hall into a large slaugh- 
ter house. Nothing occurred, however, to mar the success of 
the show, and the animals were allowed to leave the metro- 
politan boundary with a special police-licence, which was 
granted upon the production of a certificate of health signed 
by one of the veterinary surgeons appointed in that behalf. 
In 1869 there was no fear of cattle plague to disturb the 
arrangements of those who had the conduct of the exhibition, 
but the metropolis continued to be an “ infected place 33 and 
the cordon still existed, therefore cattle could only be removed 
out of the district by special licence. On that occasion the 
animals were examined on the last day of the show, and no 
indications of infectious diseases were detected. Accord- 
ingly the certificates of health were signed, and the removal of 
the cattle commenced; but on the following morning one 
animal of those which remained in the Hall was found to be 
the subject of foot and mouth disease, and on the fact being 
reported, the Commissioner of Police exercised the power 
which was conferred by the rules under which the show was 
held, and revoked the licences for the removal of cattle from 
