The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-10-07 00:00:00

THE FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE.

At the Police Court, yesterday, before It. L.
Freer and C. P. Noel, Esqrs., Henry Peanium,
farmer, residing at Holy Cross, was summoned
by Superint, ndent Freeman for that he did, on
the 25th nit, expose for sale in a public settle
yard, three heifers afflicted with the foot and
mouth disease, contrary to the Contagious Dis-
eases Animals' Act.

Mr. Stokes appeared for defendant, and said
he thought it was his duty to apply for an ail.
journment. He had two defences. The one
tray rest on the summons, and the second was
that if the cons had it, his client had no reason
to believe they were affected. He should like it
adjourned to have the presence of a veterinary
surgeon on their side to state whether t •
animals had the foot and mouth disease, or to .
The Bench intimated that the case should la,
gone on with.
The first witness called was Mr. Frain is
Blakeway, veterinary surgeon, Stourbridge, who
said that on the above date he was in the sale
yard, at Hagley. He saw two white heifers that
hail the foot and mouth disease. He found
they belonged to defendant, and he told 1,1, ,
they were affected. lle saw the same beast- •L
Saturday last, at defendant's house, and was
certain they were suffering from the disease. He
saw the heifers looked very prostrated, and there
was an extra flow of ssliva. There is a peeu.
liar smell about the mouth that is unmistake-
able. The red heifer has had the disease longer
than the two white ones.
Cross-examined : The first symptom of the
disease is a languid appearance about the ani-
mal, the eyes look drooping, and there is an
extra secretion in the mouth. The appetite
fails them, because they cannot eat. The boo-1,
when they have the disease badly, take the 1,,,
into their mouths, and put it out again. It
would be reasonable for a farmer not to know
that they were affected. Could not tell what
stage of disease the red cow had arrived out.
know Mr. Hill, the butcher, of this town. Hi,
told use he examined them that morning, :ilia
he said they had got the disease.
. . . .

Superintendeni Freeman said on the :dim,
date, from Information received, Le saw te
white heifers, at Ilagley. From inform:item
received, he asked Mr. Yearman what he hail
done with the red heifer, and be said he had
sent it home. Witness went to the house and
saw the animal in a field adjoining. It buil it
great discharge of froth from the mouth, and
was tender on the legs. lt tried to graze, but
. . .

could not eat in the same manner that healthy
cows do. lie gave defendant instructions how
to treat it, and told him to keep them away from
others.

Mr. Blakeway; re-called: The symptoms that
Mr. Freeman stated, are symptoms of foot and
month disease.

Sergeant Jones corroborated Superintandent
Freeman, and said the red heifer was so bad on
its feet it could scarcely walk,
Cross-examined : Whilst we were driving them
home one of them jumped over some hurdles,
and we chased it for a few yards. Do not think
they could eat hay.
Mr. H. Holland, landlord of the Lyttelton
Arms, said he looked into the mouth of one of
the white heifers. and saw three small blisters on
the tongue, and a kind of blister on the rout.
He saw a kind of festering matter between the
the partings in their hoofs.
Cross-examined : I am a licensed victualler.
I should not have known it was the disease if 1
had not been told. lam not a judge of cattle.
13y Mr. Freer: the red cow looked dull about
the head and eyes, and a great deal of saliva w a,
running from the mouth.
Mr. W. C. linustone said he wasaat the cat.q.
sale on the above date. He bought some cow,.
. . .

Mr. Stokes objected to the question being j.ut
to Mr. Firmstoue.
Mr. Stokes then addressed the Bunch for tht
defence, and bonteuded that the cows never had
the disease, and had no symptoms of it.
should call witnesses who had seen the anianal,
both before and after they were taken to tin.
sale yard, and there were no signs of any di-
em,. He then called

Mr. Charles Grove, cattle dealer, who said I.r
saw defendant's cows come to the sale. They
were frothing at the mouth, and looked a lit' a
distressed, but that was caused by runniug
There were no symptoms of any disease what-
ever. lie had seen the beasts since, and th,.y
were looking as well as possible. Ho said th.
cows to defendant. Ile had them from
ley, and the disease was not within four ruia -
of that place. The beasts licked themselves,
and he never saw any with the disease do that.
Mr. Samuel Hill, butcher, said he was at Hag-
ley sale, and saw the two white beasts, lie ex-
amined them, and said they had not got the
foot and mouth disease.

Mr. tirove, re•ealled, said he could not sot.
any blisters on the tongue, or anything the mat-
ter with the mouth.

Mr. How, butcher, said Le saw the heilers iu
question, at Hagley. They both looked well
wad healthy, and walked off very well indeed.

Samuel Cartwright, defendant's servant, 'aid
he fetched the cows out of the field, to go to the
sale. They were with some other cows in thi
same field, tie took them to the sale, and they
ran very well, and could jump well. They ap-
peared perfectly healthy. When they came
back from the sale they eat grass. Saw them
afterwards, and they were eating all right. No-
thing has been given to thew.
Tue Bench retired for a short time, and on
returning Mr. Noel said they had given the case
their most careful consideration, and they should
line defendant £5 and costs ; and if such a case
came before them again they would inflict a
penalty of £2O. it would be a caution to other
dealers and salesmen.
Mr. Stokes gave notice of appeal.