INCAPACITY OF THE POLICE AS VETERINARY INSPECTORS. 19 
Neither gentleman disputes the fact of the existence of rabies 
among the hounds,, and this is the chief point of interest with 
the profession and the public.—E ds.] 
ANOTHER INSTANCE OF THE INCAPACITY OF 
THE POLICE AS VETERINARY INSPECTORS. 
By the Same. 
On the 14th of November, I was in the Shifnal ce Smith- 
field,” which is an auction sale for fat and store stock, when 
I noticed a number of pigs suffering from foot-and-mouth 
disease ; and as the disease was becoming very prevalent about 
here, in consequence of affected animals having been removed 
from Bridgnorth fair along the public roads, I deemed it my 
duty to seek out the inspector—a policeman. This being done, 
I found, upon enquiry, that he had seen the pigs in question; 
and I, therefore, asked him his opinion respecting them, 
when he said that they only appeared to be cramped when 
lifted from the waggon in w'hich they had been brought, and 
that he could not see anything else amiss with them. I told 
him they were suffering from foot-and-mouth disease ; but he 
said he dare not take the responsibility of proceeding in the 
matter, unless I gave him a certificate to that effect. I 
did so, and my opinion was subsequently confirmed by 
Mr. Lawrence Copeland, V.S. The pigs were conse¬ 
quently seized; but, as they were fat animals from Ireland, 
they were allowed to be slaughtered forthwith by the owner. 
As a sequel, the owner, W. Bristol Davies, Wheaton Aston, 
was summoned before the magistrates on the 1st day of 
December, when the existence of the malady having been 
proved by Mr. Copeland and myself, he was fined £10, viz. £l 
per head for each pig, and <£l 15$. costs. As a police officer, 
the person spoken of is most efficient, knowing well how to 
perform his duties; but as an inspector, under the Contagious 
Diseases (Animals) Act, he is totally incapable of acting in 
a right or proper manner. How can it be otherwise with 
men who lack even the rudiments of professional knowledge? 
