§ 82. Sir J. SPEARasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of 503 Agriculture if he will give the number of outbreaks of swine fever in England and Wales during the six months ending 24th June, 1916, and the number for the corresponding period of 1915; and is he satisfied with the result of the serum treatment of the disease?
§ Mr. ACLANDThe numbers are 2,538 and 2,306, respectively—an increase of 232. There is no evidence to connect this increase with the use of serum, and the results so far obtained are not sufficient to enable a definite statement as to the effects of the serum treatment to be made. There is, however, no doubt that when the owner sends prompt notice of the suspected existence of disease so that the treatment may be given before +he disease gets hold of his herd serum has had a marked effect in the saving of pig life. Owners will therefore be acting in their own interest and in that of the country if they will always make the earliest possible notification when disease is suspected.