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sheds were free from the disease. The 8th section of the Order
as already intimated, prohibits the use of the milk of a diseased
cow for human food; and that prohibition should be enforced in
respect of this disease; but there is considerable doubt whether
the milk of a cow suffering from foot-and-mouth disease is capable
of conveying any disease to man—the evidence on which the
assertion that it can do so is based being of questionable value,
and there being plenty of evidence that such milk has been used
by children without apparent injury to health. The secretion of
milk rapidly falls off moreover, and soon ceases with the increase of
febrile disturbance. In any case, however, as cattle proprietors are
compelled under heavy penalties to report the outbreak of disease,
there is little fear of "contaminated milk" being produced in
London cowsheds. The "Local Authorities" under the Act, and
the Order in the provinces, moreover, are so keenly alive to the
necessity of checking the spread of animal infectious diseases,
that they are little likely to neglect any precautions for giving
effect to the 8th section of the Order. One could wish, for the
sake of humanity, that they were equally careful to enforce the
following section, which makes provision against contamination of
milk by prohibiting any peron suffering from an infectious disease,
or having been in contact with a person so suffering, from taking
part in the conduct of the business of a cowkeeper or a dairyman.
But as the local authorities almost universally have confided the
execution of the order to the police, there is small prospect at
present of this important 9th section receiving the attention
necessary for the public protection. Cattle being property, are
much better looked after, as the law stands, than man, in respect
of the prevention of the spread of infectious diseases. The
occurrence of such diseases must be reported, infected animals
being isolated and quarantined, if not at once slaughtered.
Unwholesome Food.— The question whether the flesh of
cattle affected with foot and mouth disease is fit for food, or
whether it falls within the category "diseased, unsound, or
unwholesome" food, has been much debated, and may be conveniently
referred to here. Diverse opinions have been expressed,