The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1885-08-21
FARM AND GARDEN.
Alarming Spread of Swine Fever in England
Crop Suggestions.
Swine Fever in England.

Swine Fever in England.
One of the greatest agriculture
evils of the period, says The Londo'
Telegraph, is the prodigious increas'
of swine fever. Throughout the ives
of England the malady appears to b.
spreading with a truly alarming i'm
petus, while in the eastern part OF thu
kingdom its prevalence and the rablt
virulence of fresh outbreaks are caus
ing great apprehension. MIR. Glare
Read, NJ. p, brought the matter be
fore the Norfolk court of quarter ses
sions last week, and the assembled
magistrates passed unanimously res
1 elution proposed by him calling OF
the privy council to take more string
ent measures in dealing with this pes
Atilence, with the object of stemmine
3its course. But it appears that this II
1.-THE most obstinate of all contagious
diseases affecting farm animals, and
the most difficult to suppress. Aftei
the act of 1873 came into operation
until May last year, compulsory
slaughter of all animals attacked was
carried out, and with what resultsf
70 quote the last annual report of the
agricultural department on the sub
isct: ''In the years 1880 and 1881
kswine fever diminished, but in 1882
the number of outbreaks increased to
] 2, 983, more than 1000 above the num-
ber returned in each of the two pre-
ceding years, and more than 200 in
excess of the number returned in 1879,
the first year of the application of re-
fstrictive measures. " AS during the
whole of the year 1883 and the early
part of 1884 the number of fresh at
tacks under compulsory slaughter on
ly decreased very slowly, popular
opinion loudly exclaimed against the
i4utility Of the measures local author
tiles were called on to enforce at great
cost While some demanded an aban-
donment of compulsory slaughter,
others desired more restrictive meas
ures by compulsory slaughter being
extended TO all swine having come
into contact with the diseased, or hav-
ing the slightest connection with the
infected site. The privy council was
so perplexed with these conflicting
opinions that, in an unfortunate mo-
ment, it determined on allowing all
local authorities to deal with the dis
ease more stringently or other
wise as thought best. Its report
says: "These conflicting views were
yet, as far as possible, by the privy
council in the orders which were pass
ed on May 16 and July 29 respectively.
The first order revoked the article of
the previous order, which made
slaughter of diseased swine comrul-
sorry, and substituted a power to
slaughter when the local authority
deemed it expedlent. The other order
provided for the formation of an in
fected circle around a fever-infected
place in all districts to which the
order might be applied by the privy
council at the request of local all
thority."
Every body must admit that the July
order should have made the forma-
ton of an infected circle compulsory
in all cases of an outbreak, and not
subject to the opinion of the local
If this had been done,
most probably the epidemic would not
nave ragged SO violently with un nbridled
nein as it has since done; but, at all |
events, the policy of leaving every
hing to the local authorities has ut
ierly broken down. During the past
hree or four months the disease has
spread in several parts of the king
lom with a rapidity never experienced
and 1t is very evident that
he privy council ought at once to ac-
ede to the prayer OF the Norfolk mag
strates by issuing different order
rom that at present in force. This
must necessarily, however, be more
than the one in operation
rom 1878 until May, 1884, or other
wise preliminary trial would have to
e made whether measures might not
rove equally effective involving the
slaughter only of animals
ctually infected, together with the
urning of every particle of dung and
tier from their stys, and, after per-
ect dlsinfection, isolating the sight
Dr. long period after the outbreak.
ust at present, popular opinion ap-
ears to favor the bolder expedient of
|holesale slaughter, under the plea
lat this malady is the rinderpest of
Rine-herds and can not possibly be
|amped out without every animal be-
q made a victim which has had the
lghtest chance Of contracting it. But
lis would involve the destruction of
early two-thirds of the entire swine
,ock of the counties mostly infected,
nd the cost of carrying out such re- :
fessive measures would be enormous. :
ven if it were resorted to, the other
recautions suggested above would ,
ave to be strictly carried out, Inclu- :
ing very careful and complete :
eansing and disinfection of infected |,
tes and the destruction of every par
Gle of dung and litter contained in !
lem, for it is said the virus of conta-
A may be dormant for twelve 4
onths, at any time ready for fresh !
'ton should favorable circumstances
cur.
Crop Suggestions. @
Never-no, never consign your farm
'oduce to strangers. The prospect
big prices does not amount to much h
she returns fail to come to hand in
a | y,