EASTERN COUNTIES VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 789 
get farmers and stock owners to adopt this preventive treatment, 
but I am quite satisfied that it is so attended with good results. I 
have seldom seen many more cases after its being carried out, and 
very frequently I have had the satisfaction of seeing the whole 
do well. 
Much has been said and written—more especially on the Con¬ 
tinent—respecting the value of inoculation, with a view to a pro¬ 
duction of the disease in a mild and harmless form, and so giving 
protection against it in its severe or natural state. There has been, 
however, much diversity of opinion on the subject, and the reports 
of different veterinary surgeons are very conflicting ; but it seems to 
have been finally determined that the operation does not give 
immunity against the disease, or in any way lessen its severity 
should it afterwards attack an animal. It is a question, however, 
if the matter has ever been sufficiently or satisfactorily investigated 
in this country. It is, even at the present day, carried into effect 
extensively by many of the London dairymen, and they assert, with 
very good results. They, however, frequently experienced very 
heavy losses from the irritation set up by the introduction of the 
morbific matter into the system, inflammation and mortification often 
running on to such an extent as to cause a fatal result; but some of 
this fatality may be caused by the unskilful manner in which the 
operation is conducted, and the want of care in selecting the virus, 
it being performed almost entirely by uneducated and unscientific 
men. 
Much discussion is at the present time going on among the 
members of agricultural societies, &c., respecting legislation upon 
the subject of contagious diseases; and it appears to me that the 
greatest importance is placed upon small-pox to sheep. I am of 
opinion, however, that the disease is much more under control than 
the one of which I have been speaking, and that the subject of 
pleuro-pneumonia requires equally as much attention at the hands 
of Government. 
It is highly necessary that some steps should be taken to prevent 
the movement of cattle from infected farms, and their exposure in 
fairs and markets. This can only be carried out by Government 
instituting certain laws and regulations, and enforcing heavy penal¬ 
ties upon persons in any way infringing them; and by a strict 
inspection, not only of fairs and markets, but of the grazing and 
rearing districts, by properly qualified persons. That some such 
measures as these would be of the utmost benefit to the cattle owners 
of this country, I think no one can deny ; and although at first 
much dissatisfaction would doubtless be expressed by a certain class 
of men, this would quickly be forgotten in the resulting good, and, 
as I have before stated, I think it is our duty as veterinary surgeons 
to bring about the desired state of things. 
