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34
safely sent in to commerce. If this be so, the power
of the contagions matter is less persistant than that
of small-pox and other such specific diseases; but,
like it, it is destroyed by a temperature of 212
degrees of Fahrenheit, or by the steam of boiling
water.
Looking, therefore, at the probable nature of this
matter and its vital qualities, we perceive not only
how the disease has been propagated, but also how
it may be arrested. A single infected animal
placed in a public market, or permitted to travel
along the highway, may be the means of unlimited
contagion. Something like this has happened with
the present outbreak, for all the earlier cases of
the disease were referred to the Metropolitan
Cattle Market, which doubtless has been the focus
of infection. How far the Orders in Council have
assisted in this is a matter for serious consideration.
As I have already said, the disease had
made great advances, for it had been in the country
nearly a month, before anything was done by the
Government to arrest it. The first case was seen on
the 27th of June, and the first Order in Council was
issued on the 25th of July, a fortnight after official
warning was given by Professor JSimonds. The
effect of that Order was so to alarm the cowkeepers
of London, that, fearful of loss by disease, they
forced their infected animals into the public