THE FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE.

Southland Times, Issue 1604, 12 July 1872, Page 3

THE FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE.

e> (From the Melbourne A-gus.) j Those who have any opinion at all on the foot-and-mouth disease question may be divided into two classes — the prohibitionists and the quarantinists. The former say that all cattle imported from countries infected with this disease ought to be destroyed at the port of landing ; the latter would be content with about three months' quarantining of important stock, free from the disease, and the destruction only of those cattle found to have been infected with the disease during the voyage here. A special general meeting of the National Agricultural Society was held on the 28th June, under the presidency of the Hon. E. Siinson, M.L.C., for the purpose of considering which of these two courses ought to be adopted. Mr Thomson, who attended by invitation, was in favor of the prohibition policy, holding that the germs of the disease might lie dormant in and on an animal that had had it for an almost indefinite time after its convalescence. Dr Plummer, on the other hand, thought that quarantining would be sufficient. When doctors differ on this point it is hardly to be expected that the lay members of even a Eoyal commission will agree on it. The members of the society afso differ from one another, for while nine voted for the quarantine policy, four voted against it, these four being prohibitionists. The Foot-and-mouth Disease Commission sat at tlie Custom-house on the 28th, to receive the report of the gentlemen who had been appointed to inspect Messrs M'Culloch and Eoch's cattle at Alphington, on Wednesday. The evidence was contradictory. The commission, before they adjourned, decided on recommending the Government to invite stockowners to afford speedy information of any symptoms of the disease that might manifest themselves among their cattle ; the Government at the same time to be prepared to indemnify owners for the loss of any cattle which it might be necessary to slaughter. It was thought that unless the Government were prepared to give an undertaking of the sort, information would not be afforded readily. Mr Bruce, the New South Wales inspector, stated that he would recommend his Government to adopt the same course.