530 
SOME FEW OBSERVATIONS ON THE IMPORTATION 
OF DISEASED CATTLE, AND THE APPEARANCE 
AND PREVENTION OF EPIDEMICS. 
By Wm. Ernes, M.R.C.V.S., John-street, Dockhead. 
The Sheep Importation Bill, now under consideration in the 
House of Commons, induces me to make a few observations 
through the medium of your Journal. An honourable member 
accuses the alteration in the tariff and principles of free trade of 
having caused the introduction of a fatal disease ( variola ovina) 
into this country. However true this may be in this individual 
case, it is not generally so. Of three hitherto unknown epizootic 
diseases, which have prevailed in this country within the last ten 
years, only one can be with any truth ascribed to free trade and 
free importation of cattle. In 1838 the aphthous disease (known 
by the scientific name of claudicatio adamo in Germany) made 
its appearance in this country, and was equally as fatal among 
horned cattle as, if not more so than, variola ovina has proved 
among sheep. We had no importation of cattle at that time : on 
the contrary, it was strongly prohibited. Pleuro-pneumonia, 
another most fatal disease in horned cattle, was observed, to the 
best of my knowledge, in Ireland, at the close of the year 1841, 
and for a certainty made its appearance in our metropolis in January 
1842. And this was, notwithstanding the alteration in the tarifF 
dates from the same year, from the best information obtained on 
the subject, before one head of cattle had been imported into this 
island; and, therefore, importation cannot be considered as the cause 
of the appearance of this disease in London. Both diseases, at 
the time, prevailed to a fatal extent on the continent. But, in my 
opinion, it would be preposterous to suppose that a space of some- 
what more than 20 miles of water, though it may tend to check, 
could ultimately protect us either from epidemic or epizootic dis- 
eases. I am also of opinion that the total prohibition of the im- 
portation of sheep is a mistake. It ought to have been confined 
to the diseased sheep only. And had proper inspectors been ap- 
pointed, this would have soon proved effectual, since no one would 
have been found to run the risk of carrying a cargo of diseased 
sheep : and the more so, because in all parts of the continental 
markets, places are set apart for affected animals ; and it is the 
want of such regulation existing in this country that, I am con- 
vinced, induced parties to send us our supplies from diseased 
markets, instead of from others. Precautions, 1 am sure, will not 
now avail. The disease, once in the country, is not to* be got rid 
of by any alteration in the importation of cattle. Other means 
