466 
PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE. 
EXTRACTS FROM MINUTES OE EVIDENCE OE THE “ SELECT 
COMMITTEE ON THE SHEEP, *&c., CONTAGIOUS DISEASES 
PREVENTION BILL.” 
The above Bill was read in the House of Commons the 
second time, 5th June, 1857, and referred to a select com- 
mittee, consisting of the follow ing members : 
Mr. Bentinck. 
Mr. Gurdon. 
Mr. Colvile. 
Mr. Caird. 
Sir Thomas Burke. 
June 9th. — Ordered , that 
added to the committee. 
June 15th . — Ordered , th at 
mittee. 
Mr. Stafford. 
Mr. Miles. 
Mr. Finlay. 
Mr. Seymour Fitzgerald. 
Sir John Shelley. 
Mr. Ball and Mr. De Yere be 
Lord Naas be added to the com- 
Martis y 16° die Junii, 1857. 
George W. P. Bentinck, Esq., in the Chair. 
James Beart Simonds, Esq., called in ; and examined. 
1. Chairman . — We want to ask you your opinion on va- 
rious points connected w'ith the pleuro-pneumonia disease ; 
you are, I believe, the Veterinary Professor to the Royal 
Agricultural Society? — I am; and as veterinary professor to 
that Society, and to the Royal Veterinary College, I have had 
ample opportunity of being acquainted with most of the 
diseases to which cattle and sheep are liable. 
2. State to the committee your opinion generally as to the 
contagious or infectious nature of pleuro-pneumonia? — The 
disease which is designated pleuro-pneumonia is one of 
doubtful contagiousness; it belongs especially to the class 
of affections which are designated epizootic, which term is 
analogous to the term epidemic in the human subject, and 
consequently such diseases frequently spread from the 
special causes in operation to produce them ; they may, 
however, also be contagious in the ordinary acceptation of 
the term. 
3. But is it your opinion that it spreads by contagion or 
infection ? — I believe it frequently spreads from contagion or 
infection ; that it spreads from that cause, as w r ell as the 
