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sheds, as the cows were ordered to be slaughtered without
compensation, or the animals were kept in the infected sheds.
One result of the Orders was, that the owner, on the outbreak
of the disease, frequently sent his stock to market, and as the
period of incubation was nine days, often with the disease in
the blood, although the animal was apparently healthy. If
compensation had been given early in the epidemic for cattle
killed by order of an Inspector, and if every animal had been
promptly destroyed as soon as the earliest symptoms appeared,
there can be but little doubt that the disease would not have
spread over England as it has done.
The course which the disease has taken is however that which
epidemic diseases usually pursue. The early cases occurred
here and there, and were nearly all fatal. The disease then
assumed a decidedly epidemic form, causing an increased
number of deaths every week, until its highest point was
attained, and then gradually diminished in intensity and
frequency. The mortality has almost precisely corresponded
with a curve calculated by Dr. Farr, from the deaths during
the early period of the epidemic, so that we have every reason
to believe that the deaths will be reduced to a small number
after June next. It is however a question if we shall entirely
get rid of the disease for some time.
The sanitary effects of the cattle-plague may be considered
chiefly under the following heads, viz., the influence on the
health of the people by the greater or less use of diseased
meat; by the use of diseased milk; and by the increased price
of meat. As regards the first points, I do not think that any
appreciable injury to health has been sustained by the use of
diseased flesh or milk, because joints taken from animals
slightly affected have been eaten, after being well cooked, without
disagreeing with those who partook of them; and because