The Sun.
London, England, 1865-12-04 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY, DECEMBEI?. 4, 1865.

The cattle plague still continues with increased
severity, and the coolness of the weather has not
been at all of the service that we had hoped in
allaying the virulence of the disease. Such a state
of things is well calculated to give rise to the most
serious apprehensions on all sides, and it seems diffi-
cult to exaggerate the evil effects that will inevit-
ably ensue unless some immediate change for the
better occurs. The returns for the last month are
indeed fearful to contemplate, more especially when
we notice how much the sad list has increased week
by week. November was the month to which many
looked forward as the time .when we might witness
some marked decrease in the figures which
told the number of those attacked, but on the con-
trary an alarming increase. The first week
there
were 1,765 ; the next, 2,580 ; the third, 2,6(9 ; and
the fourth, 3,610. This shows an increase in one
week of 940, truly an alarming subject for contem-
plation. Bad as the case is now, what will it be if
the same fatal progress be made in the ensuing
weeks? It is very difficult to say what might have
been done, or what may yet be done, to arrest
the fatal course of this disease. No doubt bad
our authorities at the outset more fully esti-
mated the nature of the affair, and issued more
peremptory and comprehensive orders, the plague
would not have spread with such fearful virulence,
but it is hardly fair to blame them for a want
of precision which others did not possess, nor for
neglecting to resort to desperate remedies under a
condition of things which did not at first look so
alarming. Had all fairs been prohibited, and all
traffic of cattle stopped, the ports closed, or the
most rigid examination made at the period of land-
ing, much might have been done ; but it is now too
late to dwell on the past, except to point out the
desirability of some people taking a warninc, to
themselves from the late terrible calamity that has
afflicted the community.
It is sad to think that during the time when we
were free from this infliction so many deleterious
habits prevailed ; and through neglect of proper
observances and a shameful grasping for gain, the
unfortunate animals who were brought to this
country had to endure great sufferings and undergo
cruel privations. The long voyage, which in some
cases was 'unavoidable, was rendered doubly irksome

by the want of food, drink, and proper tending ;
then on landing no time was allowed or opportunities
afforded to supplythese deficiencies, but the wretched
animals were hurried on and consigned to the rail-
way authorities,who, on their part, proved inefficient
to discharge their duties properly. Water was not
supplied to the poor creatures, and the trucks in
which they were moved were often not kept suffi-
ciently clean, so that the most baneful 'results as to
health were experienced before the beasts were
exposed for sale in the markets. It is impossible to
deny that we are now reaping the consequences of
all this wrong doing in the enervated health of many
of our herds and their liability to infection. It does
not follow that the disease came from abroad ; but
no doubt it was developed into the deadly form it
has now assumed through the many evil influences
at work in the transit and sale of cattle.
In Scotland a more patient course has been pur-
sued than that we have followed in this country,
and many more recoveries have taken place. It has
been a great mistake to have recourse to this whole-
sale slaughter, and we have had ample evidence to
show us that the enormous sacrifice has been in
vain. In Scotland they have saved 10 per cent. of
those attacked, while in the counties of England
only 6 per cent. have survived. When we look at
the returns for the United Kingdom comprehen-
sively, we find that out of every hundred cattle that
have been situated in places infected by the disease
forty-four suffered ; and of those so attacked 29
were killed, 48 died of the malady, and seven sur-
vived it.

It is worth while at this juncture to dwell upon
the advice of the Commissioners, and consider how
far it may relate to the future as well as affect the
present. It has been recommended by these high
authorities and excellent judges that dead meat
should be sent to market instead of live, for the
purpose of arresting the spread of infection. It
stands to reason that if the adoption of such a
course should stay the plague and be instrumental
in doing so, that a return to the old method
may again at some other period renew
the evil. Because plenty of dissentients
will be found to urge their objections to this
scheme, and declare it to be a most perni-
cious one ; but we all know that a great change
like this cannot be effected unless great persever-
ance and patience are employed, and unless a deaf
ear is turned to many deep-rooted prejudices and
obstinate notions of doing with to-day as we did
with yesterday. Surely it would be very desirable
to do all in our power to prevent the possibility of
the spread of infection ; and if it be shown that the
relinquishment of the practice of sending live ani-
mals to market be more conducive to public welfare,
why should it not be done? General good should
supersede individual interests and particular claims.
Besides, if an effectual stop is put to the dread of
infection, at all events to an alarming extent, all
must in time feel the effects in a beneficial manner.
As for the more immediate agencies that might be
adopted with a view to check the disease we may
observe that more alacrity might be advantageously
displayed in the experimental application of the
remedies that have been advocated. Mr. URQUHART'S
plan for radiating heat is quite worthy of a trial,
and the homoeopathic system should also have its
turn. It is certain M any rate that these measures
cannot do any harm, and they may be productive
of good. At any rate the most sceptical or
the most jealous of innovation must admit that no
experiment is so fatal as the pole-axe. It is not
much for science to boast of that in this age cf
mineral discoveries and improvements no better
device could be resorted to than a resource which
the savage might have availed themselves of cen-
turies ago.

Mr. DISRAELI'S advice to the farmers of Bucking-
hamshire will do as well for those all over the
country, and they cannot do better than avail them-
selves of the security and protection of insurance
societies. Such a scheme cannot but be pro-
ductive of beneficial results, and it is only to be
regretted that this excellent plan was not
earlier put into practice and more widely
spread over, the country. It is stated that the law
officers of the Crown have decided that the time
has not come when the large sum left by Mr.
BROWN can be made available in this emergency.
It seems most absurd to allow so considerable an
amount to lie idle while so many are in need of
assistance, to satisfy some quibbles or scruples of
legal critics. The more honest reading of the case
would be to look to the spirit of the intentions, and
not to be so precise to a particular year 'or so. Is
it likely that the generous donor would have de-
sired a period of such calamity as the present to
pass by when so excellent an opportunity is afforded
of making his bequest available, and thus prove a
benefit and blessing to the community ?

According to the latest intelligence received from
the Peninsula, the Spanish Government is not in-
clined to moderate its arrogant pretensions, or to
retract any part of its unwarrantable demands on
Chili. The Correspondencia of Saturday says that
it has been stated that the Government has sent
orders to Admiral PAREJA to suspend the attack
upon Chili, but it confidently affirms that no such
orders have been given, and that, so far from mak-
ing any concession, the Government is not even dis-
posed to accept the mediation of a neutral Power.
This is promising, certainly ; and the rest of the
Spanish news, even taken cum grano salis, is not
more satisfactory. The Minister of Marine
has, it seems, been giving orders to push forward
all the works at the naval arsenals. Three new
steam frigates and two transports, with 2,400 ma-
rines, will soon be ready for sea,' and it is in con-
templation to increase the Pacific squadron to 25
vessels. So far so good ; but this is allowing that
the Spaniards are to have it all their own way. We
apprehend that three times 25 Spanish vessels
would not be able to blockade Valparaiso against
the active opposition of France, England, and Ame-
rica. Very possibly the Spanish Ministry reckons
on the timidity and inertion which has of late years
members may
recal
intention characters our English foreign policy, and its
we
hoiefhthoeureasgteartedsismcelnaimweerres
of any hostile
so ready with at the first rumour of a European
difficulty. But we should be very unwilling to
believe that Earl RUSSELL, notwithstanding his
" meddling-and-muddling" policy in ar Denmark will
inaugurate his Premiership with
so- pusillani-
mous and unjust an act as the abandonment
of Chili. If he should attempt to do so he will
soon have plenty of critics and censors in the
new Parliament ; that is to say, if public feel-
ing be at all accurately represented. But,
even supposing England to be thus indifferent
alike to her moral obligations, and to the general
interests of commerce of which she is the chief pro-
tector, there remain France and America to inter-
fere with the Spanish progamme. France, if the
humour seizes her, is as likely to go to war in one
hemisphere as another ; her movements are not to
be regulated by precedent and routine, or to be
foretold from the necessities of the Minister or the
strength of a particular party. America is near at
hand to Chili ; she has daring enough and oppor-
tunity enough to change the aspeA of affairs
in the Pacific in a very few weeks, to
say nothing of the
threatened privateers,