189 
PLEURO-PNEUMONIA. 
According to our latest information pleuro-pneumonia 
exists in thirty-two counties of Great Britain to a greater or 
less extent, while it continues to prevail with equal virulence 
in the London dairies. With regard to the question of the 
further importation of cattle the subjects of the malady, we 
may remark that very recently the Secretary of the “ Home 
Cattle Defence Association ” sent a letter to The Times , in 
which he stated that some Dutch cattle had been imported 
at Thames Haven, passed by the inspector, and forwarded 
by rail to the market lairs, where, on a closer inspection, 
between the time of their arrival and sale in the market, several 
of them were found to be affected with pleuro-pneumonia. 
This statement was well calculated to create alarm in the 
mind of the British farmer and others interested in the ques- 
tion of preventing any additional risk being incurred of in- 
creasing the already large number of cases of this disease, 
and consequently Mr. Alderman Lawrence asked, in his 
place in Parliament, whether the Vice-President of the Com- 
mittee of Council on Education could give an explanation of 
the statement which appeared in a letter to The Times of the 
31st of January : 
“ That a cargo of beasts from Holland landed at Thames 
Haven last week was passed by the inspectors there as 
sound. These animals were taken thence to the Maiden- 
lane station, Holloway, and thence to the Market lairs, 
where, on close inspection, several of the beasts were found 
to be affected with pleuro-pneumonia.” 
Mr. W. E. Forster said, in reply, that, having seen the 
statement in the letter to The Times , he caused inquiry 
to be made, and, as far as could be ascertained, the state- 
ment appeared to be entirely without foundation. No case 
of pleuro-pneumonia was detected in the lairs after the most 
careful examination, and no notice had been given of such a 
case by the owners, as was required by the Act, on the exist- 
ence of any disease being discovered. 
The reply given by Mr. Forster called forth another letter 
from the Secretary, which we give in extenso , and from which 
it will be seen that this alarming statement was promulgated 
merely upon hearsay evidence. 
“IMPORTED CATTLE DISEASE. 
<e To the Editor of The Times. 
“ Sir,— I t has been my duty to communicate to The Times 
XLIV. 14 
