LECTURE ON THE DISEASES OF CATTLE. 
643 
after weaning) at 2,500,000. Now, I am well aware that much 
greater numbers have been stated. Calculations have reached as 
high as 120,000,000 for the aggregate of animals, while I estimate 
the numbers at only 72,500,000. Then, as to value, supposing 
you put cattle as low as £5 per head ; sheep, reckoning them 
altogether at £1 per head; hogs at £1 per head; and horses at 
£20 per head. Now that gives as the total amount only 
£152,000,000; I find that some have placed the aggregate value 
as high as £316,000,000. I think the one estimate is as much too 
high as the other is too low; but the calculation of £150,000,000 
is quite sufficient to shew the immense value of the property which 
we have to deal with. If upon that basis we take a ratio of 2 
per cent, as lost annually, we shall have upon cattle a loss of 
160,000 annually, worth £800,000; at 3 per cent. 240,000, worth 
£1,200,000; at 4 per cent. 320,000, worth £1,600,000; at 5 per 
cent. 400,000, worth £2,000,000 ; at 6 per cent. 480,000, worth 
£2,400,000. Then, upon sheep, at a ratio of 2 per cent., there was 
1,000,000, worth £1,000,000; at 3 per cent., 1,500,000, worth 
£1,500,000; at 4 per cent., 2,000,000, worth £2,000,000; at 5 
per cent., 2,500,000, worth £2,500,000; at 6 percent., 3,000,000 
worth £3,000,000. The loss upon hogs, at 2 per cent., is 240,000, 
worth £240,000; at 3 per cent., 360,000, worth £360,000; at 
4 per cent., 480,000, worth £480,000; at 5 per cent., 600,000, 
worth £600,000; at 6 per cent., 720,000, worth £720,000. The 
gross value of cattle, sheep, and hogs thus lost will be, at 2 per 
cent., £2,040,000; at 3 per cent., £3,060,000; at 4 percent., 
£4,080,000; at 5 per cent-, £5, 100,000; at 6 per cent., £6,120,000; 
while, if you take the loss at 10 per cent., which would not, per- 
haps, be an exaggeration, you will find that the gross value of 
the animals lost amounts to £10,000,000 per annum. If only one- 
fifth of these animals can be preserved, we then have the money 
value of £2,000,000, now utterly lost and totally irrecoverable 
(hear, hear). 
We must also look at this question in a political point of view. 
Our population is increasing rapidly year by year, but our stocks 
are not increasing in the same ratio, and we have been obliged to 
go to the foreigner to obtain for our use a certain number of ani- 
mals. Suppose the cost of the animals imported to be £2,000,000 
per annum, the country is annually drained of a large amount, of 
which it is not likely ever to receive onfe farthing back again. 
Therefore, I consider it a matter not only of personal, but even of 
national, importance that we should endeavour to preserve our 
animals. But the question is, How is the existing evil to be 
met I In the first place, we may take animals individually, as re- 
gards their situation and position, and inquire in what state they 
