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it died, or was slaughtered, to notify the local authority. A fee of 2s. 6d. is payable by the local authority
to the person giving such notice. The Order provides for the payment of increased compensation
beyond that previously allowed, both for animals showing clinical symptoms of glanders and for those
slaughtered solely upon reaction to the mallein test. The increase, which depends to some extent upon
the adoption by the owner of precautionary measures, is accompanied by other extended powers to local
authorities for dealing more effectively with the disease. Under the Glanders or Farcy (Metropolitan
Police District) Order, 1911, the Council had powers to destroy nosebags and other stable material not
capable of disinfection. This Order has been revoked, but its provisions were re-enacted in the Glanders
Order, 1920, and the powers continue to be fully utilised after each outbreak. All infected material
of this kind is burnt at one of the knackers' depots at the expense of the Council. During 1921, sixteen
diseased horses were slaughtered, the compensation payable amounting to £340.
Importation
of horses,
asses and
mules.
In order to prevent the introduction of contagious equine diseases, particularly glanders, the
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries made an order, entitled the Importation of Horses, Asses and Mules
(Great Britain) Order, 1921. This Order which came into operation on 1st August, 1921, prohibits the
landing of equine animals from any other country except Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of
Man, unless accompanied by a certificate given by a veterinary surgeon at the place of origin, containing—
(a) identification particulars ; (6) a declaration of freedom from any of the diseases specified; and (c)
a statement that the animal passed the mallein test within ten days prior to shipment. Race horses,
trained polo ponies, bona fide performing animals, and animals imported for re-exportation within 14
days are exempted. The Council is the authority in London for enforcing the Order, and the new
requirements have been brought to the notice of persons concerned.
Swine fever,
owine lever nas Deen very prevalent throughout threat Britain during the past lew years, and no
fewer than ten outbreaks were dealt with in London during 1921. In one case, when pigs were moved to
infected premises before such premises were declared to be free from disease, the Council instituted legal
proceedings against the owner, and a penalty of £5 was imposed. The work carried out during 1921
under the Swine Fever (Regulation of Movement) Order, 1908, which is designed to give local authorities
powers of supervision over pigs brought into and removed from their districts, was as follows:—store
pigs brought into London, 2,306; swine examined at feeders' premises, 29,529; infringements, 22;
penalties and costs, £35 6s.
Anthrax.
Anthrax occurs occasionally in London, and so long as fodder is imported from abroad sporadic
cases will probably arise. Most stringent precautions in the way of cleansing and disinfection are taken
by the Council's inspectors who personally supervise the destruction of the entire carcase of an infected
animal as well as any article with which it may have come into immediate contact. During 1921
there were three cases of anthrax among men, none of which proved fatal. In two of these infection was
traced to the handling of imported hides, hair, etc., in the course of the patients' employment, and in the
remaining case to the use of an infected shaving-brush. One case of animal anthrax in London was confirmed
during 1921.
Rabies.
Ihe Uouncil is convinced that the most efficacious measures tor stamping out hydrophobia are
muzzling, the seizure of all stray-dogs, and the regulation of the importation of dogs. Under the Dogs
Order, 1906, which revoked all then existing muzzling regulations, the Council made new regulations
requiring the wearing of collars by dogs while on a highway. Under these regulations, 11,998 dogs were
seized by the police during 1921 and 7,333 were destroyed.
Particulars were given in the Annual Report for 1920 (vol. III., p. 118) of Orders issued by the
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries consequent upon the detection of rabies at Byfleet in 1919, and at
Acton in 1920. The Ministry subsequently issued the Middlesex (Acton District) (Control of Dogs)
Order of 1921, which modified, as from 4th March, 1921, the restrictions on the control of dogs in the
area around Acton and withdrew entirely the restrictions from the metropolitan borough of Woolwich
between the Thames and Shooters-hill and Dover-road. At the end of 1921 no muzzling regulations
were in force in any part of London.
No fewer than 34 cases of suspected rabies in dogs in London were notified during 1921. In 3
cases the animals were allowed to live, the suspicious conditions being attributable to other causes than
rabies. In the remaining 31 cases the animals were killed and post-mortem examinations made, all the
results being negative. A few persons have been bitten by suspected animals, but the Council's inspectors
have been able to reassure the persons that the animals were not suffering from rabies. Altogether
the Council's veterinary inspectors have dealt with 197 cases of suspected rabies since 1919, their diagnosis
being, in every case, confirmed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
A corollary to the Rabies Orders was the issue of Importation of Dogs Orders, under which dogs
can come into Great Britain from abroad only under licence from the Ministry. The Council is responsible
for seeing that the terms of the licences are complied with, the principal condition being the detention of
the imported dog on special premises under observation for a considerable period after landing. No
serious breach of the regulations was reported during 1921.
Parasitic
man
Un the outbreak ot the war, the urder dealing with parasitic mange was temporarily suspended,
with the result that the disease increased largely. The conditions under which trade horses are fed and
worked in London, particularly during busy seasons, tend to encourage the spread of the disease. During
1921, however, the returns of cases in London showed a marked decrease, and a satisfactory feature of
this decrease was the fact that fewer animals were affected in each outbreak. The following figures
relate to 1921.—Outbreaks, 218; horses affected, 414; infringements, 45; written cautions sent, 23;
convictions, 22; penalties and costs, £95 8s. 6d. For the purposes of comparison, the number of outbreaks
in 1920 was 469, affecting 1,201 horses.
Sheep scab.
Particulars were given in tne Annual Keport tor iynu (vol. ill., p. iiy; oi urders maoe Dy tne
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries with a view to the eradication of sheep scab, a disease which has