658 NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 
is the first active parliamentary interference with the subject. The same 
sort of quarantine is ordered as in cases of cholera in the human subject; 
animals imported from suspected districts are alone inspected ; the detec¬ 
tion of disease rested with the officer of customs, and if he deemed it 
necessary, a veterinary surgeon—not necessarily a member of the college 
—could be employed, and an order in Council obtained for the destruc¬ 
tion of the cargo. So imperfect and routine a measure, was only inter¬ 
fered with in 1848, when a special order was obtained referring specially 
to slraep and lambs, and again in July, 1856, when the detection still 
rested with the Custom House Officers, the proof with the veterinary sur¬ 
geon, and the disposal of the suspected stock with the Commissioners of 
Customs. 
About that time, or shortly afterwards, the proximity of a fearful and 
fatal murrain in Mecklenburgh, called the “ steppe-murrain,” created 
much alarm both there and here, and at once aroused the attention of our 
Government. An order in Council was issued, bearing date, September 
6th, 1856, which is still unrevoked, and is the law upon which the exami¬ 
nation of imported cattle is conducted. 
I have made certain extracts from it, and I think you will agree with 
me that its provisions are at once ample and decisive, and so far as our 
profession is concerned—had the diploma been recognised—complete in 
the highest degree. 
u 1st. On the arrival of a vessel with cattle, sheep, lambs, or pigs, the 
attendance of the veterinary surgeon is to be obtained as soon 
as possible. 
“ 2nd. After the cattle, sheep, lambs, or pigs have been landed, they 
are to be kept in charge until each animal has undergone 
a careful examination, and if found free from disease, the 
whole are to be passed immediately ; but in the event of any 
disease being found to exist, such of them as may be so 
diseased are to immediately killed, if the same be considered 
necessary by the veterinary surgeon; and if upon a post¬ 
mortem examination of such cattle, sheep, lambs, or pigs, the 
same be found fit for human consumption, they, and the rest 
of the importation are to be delivered to the owner or owners 
thereof; but should [any of those so examined be unfit for 
such purpose, and the disease be of an epidemic or contagious 
character, they are to be buried, or effectually destroyed in the 
presence of an officer, and the remainder of the importation 
detained for further examination, so long as the veterinary 
surgeon may deem necessary, and dealt with as before directed. 
“ The expenses incurred in detaining the whole or part of any 
importation, or in killing and destroying those unfit for 
human food, to be defrayed by the owner or owners. 
<c 3rd. Sheep and lambs are not to be examined after dark, daylight 
being absolutely necessary for the detection of certain 
diseases. 
“ Lastly. The veterinary surgeon is to be required to keep a record of 
the particulars of each transaction agreeably with the an¬ 
nexed form.” 
Here follows a lengthened and very minute list of the various signs by 
which the diseases “ steppe-murrain and “ pulmonary murrain” are in 
variably recognised; and however culpable our Government may be for 
the apparent apathy which is considered to characterise their movements 
in any particular, no one can doubt the complete and most elaborate 
system developed in this one at least. Then follows equally as complete 
