33 
PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE. 
EXTRACTS FROM MINUTES OE EVIDENCE OE THE " SELECT 
COMMITTEE ON THE SHEER, &c., CONTAGIOUS DISEASES 
PREVENTION BILL.” 
(. Examination of Mr. J. B. Simonds , continued from vol. xxx, 
p. 714.) 
17-5. Is that the disease known as button farcy? — It is 
the disease that is sometimes called (i button farcy/ 5 which 
I propose to include in the Bill. 
176. Sir John Shelley .] — With regard to farcy, as there is 
such a nice distinction between what is farcy and what is not, 
do you think that a farmer who is not a veterinary surgeon 
should be exposed to a penalty of £20 for having turned out 
on a common, or anywhere else, an animal that he may be- 
lieve has not farcy, or some other disease like it ; how is he 
to know that it is diseased without having a veterinary 
surgeon at his elbow ? — He can only know it by having a 
veterinary surgeon to examine the animal. The same obser- 
vation would apply to other diseases. Many animals are 
supposed to be glandered that are not glandered at all. 
177. Then, in a district where there is not a veterinary 
surgeon residing, what is a farmer to do ? — There is scarcely 
any district in the country where you may not meet with a 
veterinary surgeon, or a man somewhat conversant with the 
diseases of animals. 
178. But supposing there is such a district, in what posi- 
tion would you put the farmer, and how is he to defend him- 
self against this penalty? — A discretionary power can be 
given to the magistrate. Suppose the man about to send 
the animal to the market, he knows he has a diseased ani- 
mal, and should ascertain the nature of its affection as early 
as he can. 
179. Supposing he believes it not to be farcy, what is he 
to do?— This animal is sent to the market; it is seen in a 
diseased state in the market, and an objection is taken to it. 
Then an examination is made, just as in the case of glanders. 
A man sends the animal into the market ; he does not know 
it is glandered, but supposes it is merely labouring under a 
catarrh. The animal, however, is soon objected to, and Tt 
xxxi. 5 
