716 
EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
tioned, shall; on and after the date of the present order, cease 
and determine / 5 
The great value of this act of the Government does not, 
however, merely consist in allowing trade to be free, but in 
the assurance it gives to the country that no fear need any 
longer to be entertained that any new cattle-pest will invade 
our shores. In every respect the step taken is a wise one, 
and we trust that the day is far distant when circumstances 
will require that it should be retraced. The vigilance displayed 
by the several Continental states in watching the progress 
and in raising an insurmountable barrier against the extension 
of the cattle-pest into their territory, is our main, and, we 
may add, our most effectual security. 
Without a complete disruption of the balance of pow r er 
now existing in Continental Europe, we confess wea p pre- 
hend no danger. Should the time unfortunately arise 
when the troops of Russia or of Austria leave their soil 
to invade Western Europe, then, indeed, it is more than 
probable that the horrors of w T ar would be added to by 
the outbreak of a pest which will sweep away tens of thou- 
sands of our cattle. Why should all this not have been 
known before ? Cannot England in the nineteenth century 
follow the example which has long been set her of having 
an authority to appeal to in matters of this kind ? Must we 
wait until danger arrives, or is reported to be at our doors, 
before we commence inquiry ? Missions may accomplish 
much, but to be of real value they must, if adopted, serve as 
precautions. Other means are open to us, equally as effective 
and far less costly. Why should not the Board of Health 
have a part of its inquiries directed to epizootics as w*ell as to 
epidemics ? Why, indeed, should it not have its Veterinary 
section ? We have seen already the ill consequences of being 
uninformed and unprepared, and the same mistaken policy 
may lead again, without sufficient reason, to the exclusion of 
the food of the people. 
