§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture, whether, in view of the continued alarming prevalence of anthrax among farm animals in many different 1853 parts of Great Britain, any and, if any, what steps are being taken by the Board to trace the origin of the disease?
§ Mr. GULLANDIn every case in which anthrax is suspected the veterinary inspector is required to give information as to the possible cause of the outbreak, and such further inquiries are instituted as the circumstances require.
§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture, whether he is aware that several deaths of farm animals have recently occurred in the West of England which have been attributed by veterinary surgeons first to anthrax and subsequently to yew poisoning; whether, in the opinion of the Board's veterinary advisers, such causes of death are readily distinguishable; and whether, in view of the doubt prevailing among veterinary surgeons as to the circumstances under which, if ever, yew poisoning occurs, the Board will appoint a committee of experts to inquire into the subject?
§ Mr. GULLANDThe Board have received no information as to the particular cases referred to in the first part of the question. In almost every case of sudden death among cattle the existence of anthrax may reasonably be suspected. A microscopic examination of the blood will show whether the suspicion is correct or whether the death is attributable to some other cause. It is well known that yew poisoning frequently causes the death of animals and the Board do not consider that any advantage would be gained by further investigations.