676 
NEWS AND ITEMS. 
pretenders will be glad to learn that only 22 non-graduates are 
registered, and at least half of them were practising in the State 
many years before a graduate entered the State. Our law clearly 
defines what constitutes the practice of veterinary medicine and 
surgery, and this definition the board construed to apply to the 
past as well as to the present and future, and hence, those enti¬ 
tled to registration were restricted to persons who conformed to 
that definition.’’ 
Co-operative Live Stock Insurance. —In Italy the prin¬ 
ciple of co-operation for the insurance of horned stock is exten¬ 
sively acted upon—proof of its utility. The government has 
decided to award prizes varying from £1 20 to £&o for the most 
successfully-managed of these mutual societies, the object being 
to base thereon a scheme for general adoption. In France the 
cattle insurance companies are of two kinds : First, where the 
insured pay in advance a premium of so much per cent, upon 
the value declared. In ordinary years the society accords from 
three-fourths to four-fifths of the loss; in time of a calamity, 
only one-third. If the reserve fund swells newcomers are 
charged a higher premium. In this plan the policy holder is 
only certain of one fact—his risk is limited to his premium. 
Swine Prague in Indiana. —Dr. A. W. Bitting, veterina¬ 
rian at the Purdue Experiment Station, Lafayette, Ind., has 
issued a bulletin calling attention to the prevalence of swine 
plague in that State. We quote : u The disease is well dissemi¬ 
nated in the State this fall and the season of greatest loss will 
soon be upon us. Every effort should be made to lessen its 
ravages as much as possible. An important factor in reducing 
the loss is to provide proper shelter, as all hogs with only a mild 
attack or having apparently made a recovery may take a relapse 
if exposed to a cold rain or a sudden change to rough weather. 
There are thousands of hogs now in a condition to become 
affected with pneumonia which would escape if given a little 
protection. Any shed which will keep off the rain and break 
the wind is sufficient. The floor should be dry, but little bed¬ 
ding is needed and that renewed frequently. Burn all litter and 
bedding once a week. Keep the herd divided so that crowding 
is impossible. Remember a strawstack is the most unfavorable 
place that can be provided for sick hogs. The essentials in 
prevention are good food, pure water , and clean , dry quarters. 
The station would be pleased to receive information from any 
source as to the presence of the disease and of all successful 
ways of checking it.” 
