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of vesicles on the tongue and on the inner part of the upper lip and on the pad. These
vesicles show themselves in the form of a tough white skin which can be easily stripped
off, and a red raw surface is found beneath. The animal seldom refuses food, but rolls it
about in its mouth, and often drops it instead of swallowing it. In most instances the feet
are affected as well as the mouth, and blisters will form between the toes and on the heels
between hair and hoof, causing the animal to walk tenderly, and frequently to catch up
one foot after the other and shake it as if to dislodge something which was producing pain.
In milch cows the teats may be affected with vesicles, especially at the opening of the
milk duct. This often leads to sores and crusts being formed, which prevent the ready
flow of the milk. The disease frequently exists simultaneously among the cattle, sheep
and pigs of the farm."
Signed) 'SIDNEY OLIVER,
" Secretary.
"Board of Agriculture and Fisheries,
"4, Whitehall Place,
"London, S.W.
"March, 1914.
"Note.—All persons owning or having in their charge any animal or animals
presenting any of the above symptoms are required, by Law, to give notice to the Police
with all practicable speed."
The outbreak this year was a serious one and there was considerable possibility of it
spreading, and for this reason it was especially desirable that strict supervision should
be exercised by Local Authorities and their Officers over the meat supply in order that
any meat or offal bearing any indication of the disease might be detected and detained.
The circular letter under consideration suggested that whenever lesions or signs
suspicious of the disease were discovered, the Officer making such discovery should
communicate at once with the Inspector appointed under the Disease of Animals Acts,
retaining for inspection the suspected parts in order that such further action as might
be deemed necessary to trace the source of the disease might be taken.
No difficulty is experienced in carrying out the above suggestions in the City, as
not only are all the Meat Inspectors fully competent to detect suspicious cases of Foot
and Mouth Disease, but the Veterinary Surgeon in charge of the Meat Inspection Staff
is also the Inspector under the Diseases of Animals Acts referred to above.
EXAMINATION OF MILK FOR TUBERCULOSIS AND CONDITIONS
AS TO CLEANLINESS.
In 1902 a system of taking samples of Milk on arrival at the several City railway
termini was instituted with a view to ascertaining the conditions as regards presence of
dirt and pathogenic bacteria in milk arriving from the country.
These investigations have since been continued in succeeding years, and in October
and November of the year under review 48 samples were procured, representing supplies
from the following counties:—
Norfolk 18
Suffolk 11
Essex 9
Cambridge 4
Bedfordshire 2
Buckinghamshire 2
Staffordshire 1
Lincolnshire 1