The Sun.
London, England, 1866-01-12 00:00:00

that country receives supplies from all other
nations, and-hence a type of the disease might come
from Northern Poland. However, the learned
Professor reminded the meeting that a " cordon"
had been drawn round all the affected portions of
Germany, and hence the only place to fix upon as
the cause of the present epidemic in England was
Russia. He did not agree with the notion of " spon-
taneous disease," and, as for its dissemination, he
said there was abundant evidence of the disease
being transmitted in various directions.
Another prolific cause of the spread of the disease
is the conveyance of herds from one place to an-
other, which lamentable practice caused the out-
break at Taunton ; and, again, danger results from
the burial of the infected animals not being pro-
perly managed, and a too thin layer of earth being
put over their remains. Professor SIMONDS con-
siders that hunting in infected districts is a very
blameable habit, and gives rise to great evils.
" Disinfection and isolation," in his opinion, are the
only means of getting rid of this decimating plague.
Indeed he goes so far as to state that he thinks
medical treatment of it is the surest way to keep the
disease in the country, and " was now the chief
source of plague." This seems rather a sweeping
assertion, and it has not been found that it is the
" policy of proprietors to stamp out the disease by
prompt and decisive agency." The number of
cattle attacked during the week ending January 6
was 9,120, and the total loss in the metropolitan
district since June was 15,957, aad in the Board of
Works district, 9,730. It is difficult to over-
estimate the loss and distress which the fearful
extent of this malady will occasion throughout the
country, and in course of time its disastrous effects
will be felt by all classes ; but, of course, as yet, the
agricultural interest feels the pressure most consider-
ably. The inactivity of the Government has been a
fruitful source of mischief, because although they
have issued many orders more efficient measures
have not been taken to insure that those orders be car-
ried out with scrupulosity and crowned with success.
It is much to be regretted that the recommendation
of the majority of the Commissioners was not
adopted ; if it had been, much of the mischief that
subsequently ensued would have been prevented.
Giving the order for the prohibition of the move-
ment of cattle should be done in a decisive manner
to be at all effectual, and the attempt made by
Government to shirk the responsibility of the affair,
and let the odium fall on others, has been a signal
failure. In fact, our Executive has not properly
performed its functions, and with good intentions,
and no doubt the hope of realising its efforts to the
good of the community, they have been
westing in that spirit and energy which
alone can suffice to prove effectual in
cases of emergency. We have seen that Mr. GLAD-
STONE has hastened to deny, on the part of the Go-
vernment, that there is any probability of indem-
nification. This is taking advantage of one side of
the question, and ignoring the other, which urges
upon the Government the duty of prevention. It
is a pity that Parliament was not called together
before this in order to devise some means of relief,
if the authorities did not intend to bestir themselves
more actively, and to more effective purpose. Every-
thing seems to have conspired against the interests
of the holders of stock, and they will not rest satis-
fied in being told that they must bear the
loss as best they can, and take their chance
of bad as well as of good fortune. The far-sighted
and experienced declared long before this that
unless stringent measures were adopted to prevent
the spread of infection it was no use trying to
" stamp" it out. In spite of all this, however, no
heed has been taken to the wise hints, and thus in
every possible way have losses been incurred,
and hardships inflicted for nothing. It was stated
at a meeting of the Quarter Sessions of the County
of Middlesex yesterday that the principal question
with which they had to deal was to restrict the
traffic for the great cattle market at Islington, but
that this could only be done by the Privy Council
or the Lord Mayor, and all that could be done was
to prevent the traffic indirectly. The motion of
the Committee was adopted unanimously, which
was satisfactory so far. . i