§ LORD CLAUD HAMILTONasked the Vice President of the Council, If his attention has been called to the increasing prevalence of glanders amongst horses in the Metropolis; whether there is any regular inspection of stables by veterinary surgeons or other competent persons acting under the orders of the Privy Council; if it is not a fact that the public drinking troughs are a source of infection; if it is not the case that the horses in night cabs are especially infected; and, whether it would not be possible to compel all veterinary surgeons, under penalties, to report to the Privy Council the existence of every case of this disease that comes under their notice?
§ MR. MUNDELLASir, although the Returns show an increase from 601 cases of glanders in 1879 to 1,142 in 1880, the Veterinary Department is of opinion that the increased number of cases re- 882 ported is solely due to the Act of 1878 being rigidly enforced by the local authority, the Metropolitan Board of Works, and not to increased disease. The duty of inspection devolves on the local authority, and we have every reason to believe that it is efficiently discharged. Drinking troughs are one means by which the disease can be spread; but they are a most humane provision, and, I am told, have conferred benefits far outweighing any risk attaching to them. No doubt, if glandered horses are worked at all, they are worked at night to escape detection; but this entails penalties which have, in many cases, been strictly enforced. It is believed that it would not be possible to carry out the suggestions contained in the last paragraphs of the noble Lord's Question.