752 
EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
enforced during the prevalence of the cattle plague in 
1865-6, but in the presence of a risk so imminent as that 
which now threatens her no restrictions can be considered 
too severe. The Orders of Council which were passed on 
September 9th and September the 20th, and which we 
publish in the present number, provide for the slaughter at 
the place of landing of all cattle, sheep, and goats brought 
to Great Britain from any port of France, or from any port 
of the States of the North German Confederation; and in 
the port of London, French and German animals cannot 
be landed at all, unless a proper place is provided for their 
exclusive reception, in which they are to be kept, and out 
of which they cannot be moved alive. 
Owing to the movement of cattle from the Metropolitan 
Market to various slaughter-houses in the metropolitan area, 
there was danger, so long as French and German animals 
were allowed to enter the market, of an outbreak of the 
cattle plague in Loudon. Judging from the experience ob- 
tained on two or three occasions of the kind, this might not 
have been attended with an extension of the plague beyond 
the metropolis ; nevertheless the risk was so great as to 
justify the use of very strong measures to prevent it. 
Notwithstanding every care, cattle plague may still find its 
way into this country, and it is desirable that the members 
of the profession should be on the alert. It is a source of 
much regret that we cannot rely with any satisfaction upon 
the system of inspection as it is now very generally carried 
out in England. Taking a common-sense view of the 
Act of 1869, it appeared to us to provide for an emergency 
by rendering it incumbent on Local Authorities to appoint 
at least one veterinary surgeon, as an inspector in every 
district. Veterinary surgeons, however, instead of being 
appointed, are superseded by policemen ; and should cattle 
plague again appear among our herds all the work of 
organization, which caused so much delay before, would 
have to be done again and under considerable disadvantage, 
while in the mean time the infection of cattle plague would 
be diffused far and wide. 
