SELECT COMMITTEE ON CONTAGIOUS DISEASES BILL. 711 
to which sheep are exposed ; the loss has often amounted 
to 90 per cent. ; and we can scarcely take it at less than 
75 per cent, when the disease is allowed to take its natural 
course. 
141. Sir John Shelley . — In what way do you propose to 
get returns from farmers ? — That they should make re- 
turns to Boards of Guardians, and that these should be 
forwarded to the Board of Trade, or some other depart- 
ment of the government, 
142. Would you make those returns periodical? — I would 
make them periodical as to the general state of the health of 
the animals on the farm, and I would call for special returns 
on the outbreak of a contagious disease. 
143. Would you propose to inflict a penalty on farmers if 
they did not make returns in the event of their having 
disease in their flocks or herds? — I am inclined to think that 
farmers w'ould make the return without the infliction of 
penalties. 
144. Mr, Miles. — I understood you to say you did not 
think the Bill went far enough as to the description of the 
diseases. You mentioned eczema. Do you think that is so 
fatal a disease that it is necessary it should be placed in the 
Bill, and that any person who drove an animal to market 
affected with that disease should be subjected to a penalty 
of £20 ? — Eczema is not a fatal affection as a rule. It is a 
disease that produces great loss in condition, and there are 
some reasons that may be advanced for excluding eczema 
from the Bill. 
145. Will you state wdiat eczema is? — It is the disease 
commonly known under the name of the mouth and foot 
disease ; one of those diseases that shows itself suddenly. 
There is no reason to believe that it is, like smallpox, incu- 
bated in the system ; and consequently a herd of cattle 
might leave the premises of the farmer healthy, and become 
affected on the road to market. 
146. Was that an imported disease ? — No. 
147. How long has it been prevalent ?— It showed itself 
in 1839. 
148. For the first time? — Yes. 
149. Lord Naas. — Cattle scarcely ever die of that disease? 
— Rarely. 
150. Sir John Shelley. — In your opinion, in regard to the 
foot disease, is it easily spread by cattle passing across 
ground where an affected animal has been ? — 1 do not think 
there is sufficient proof of the disease being extended in that 
manner. It is a disease which, as a general rule, prevails as 
