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THE VETERINARIAN, APRIL 1, I860. 
Ne quid falsi dicere audeat, ne quid veri non audeat. — Cicero. 
NECESSITY OF LEGISLATIVE ENACTMENTS TO LIMIT THE 
SPREAD OF CONTAGIOUS DISEASES AMONG CATTLE. 
It has often been said, and with much truth, that ours is 
a country which differs essentially from almost every other in 
the fixed determination of its people to carry out their pre¬ 
conceived opinions, despite all opposition, come from whom 
or whence it may. Self-will, doubtless, has an existence 
among all peoples; but it almost as universally wants power 
of action, and, consequently, like most inert matter, thus 
circumstanced, it corrodes and rots within itself. Hence we 
see Governments readily usurping the place of the popular will, 
and overawing those for whose benefit they alone should 
exist. Did we find despotic power rightly wielded, there 
would frequently be much which we could admire in its acts ; 
but so seldom is this the case, that despotism has become a 
word so hateful to an Englishman that he would expunge it, 
if possible, from his vocabulary, and replace it by his ever 
favorite term—liberty. 
It may be asked, however, whether individual independence, 
self-will, and determined resolves for freedom in everything, 
are not often the cause of delay, as well as of suffering and 
loss, to those who insist on their rigid adoption? A govern¬ 
ment resting on such a basis is too frequently rendered 
powerless for good, and cannot take the initiative in that 
which it believes to be for the public weal. It becomes, like¬ 
wise, an excuse for the “ do nothing system” which we find 
to prevail in high quarters, and is the parent of official 
routine and red-tapeism which encumbers everything minis¬ 
terial. 
To accomplish a desirable object it is therefore generally 
