EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
727 
outbreaks in as short a period as here cited been traced to 
foreign stock instead of to Irish beasts, the most would 
have been made of such information ; whereas suggestive 
and important as this evidence must be considered, it 
commands little or no attention.” 
The Daily News on the same subject observes : — te If 
owners of beasts who know they have taken them from 
herds that have been exposed to infection send them to our 
fairs and markets, these latter will themselves become 
centres for the spread of disease. The remedy, we believe, 
will be found in improving the authorised system of in- 
spection and in a more strict application of the law. At 
present it cannot be said that the inspection now existing 
is by any means satisfactory, even where it is most needed. 
It is difficult to believe that men are in earnest in the sup- 
pression of disease when they leave its detection to the 
police, who may no doubt be trusted to enforce the law 
when the case is clear, but cannot be expected to be skilled 
in the diagnosis of maladies. The interests affected by 
this disease are important enough to be placed in the hands 
of men educated to the work. But magistrates must also 
perform their part with fidelity. It is not fair to the con- 
scientious cattle owners who willingly sacrifice their own 
interests for the general good to let them see their efforts 
and vigilance rendered nugatory by the thoughtlessness or 
cupidity of a neighbour; and some magistrates have lately 
showed a leniency in dealing with such cases, which is a 
want of mercy to the public. The Legislature has wisely 
left the chief power to deal with this evil in the hands of 
the local authorities, in order that the public may have the 
advantage of their knowledge of the interests of their 
localities, and the country looks to their action in the first 
instance for a remedy for the present evil. We believe the 
powers conferred by law are adequate to every requirement, 
and that if they are only regularly and universally applied 
our abundant supplies of food for animals may be turned 
to account, the enormous loss in milk, butter, cheese, and 
milk now going on may be stopped, and an important 
branch of our agricultural system be restored to pros- 
perity.” 
The Preston Chronicle draws attention to the matter in 
