HC Deb 14 November 1918 vol 110 cc2878-9
88. Mr. CAREW

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the steps taken to overcome the outbreak of rabies in Devon and Cornwall are meeting with satisfactory results; if he will state the number of people that have been bitten and deaths that have taken place from this cause; and whether there is a sufficient quantity of muzzles available for carrying out the Muzzling Order?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Prothero)

So far there has been no spread of rabies beyond the two counties in which it was originally found to exist. But the period of incubation of rabies, though usually one of days, may be one of months, and it is always possible that the disease may have been carried to another part of the country in a dog which has not yet developed it. I trust, however, that the measures which are being taken against the disease in the two counties are such as to ensure its final eradication after all the present sources of infection have been brought to light. In reply to the second part of the question, I am informed by the Local Government Board, who deal with hydrophobia, that there have been no cases of that disease and consequently no deaths. The number of persons known by that Department to have been bitten or scratched by rabid or suspected dogs is twenty-five. In reply to the last part of the question, the difficulty in obtaining muzzles, owing to the demands on wire for war purposes, handicapped the Department in the earlier stages of combating the disease. The Ministry of Munitions have since then given low priority certificates sufficient to release wire enough for about 130,000 muzzles, and allotted the wire to a certain number of makers.

Sir A. YEO

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a good deal of feeling outside that qualified men are not consulted in the way they might be with a view to stamping out rabies?

Mr. PROTHERO

I am not aware of any such feeling, and I do not believe, considering the eminence of our veterinary authorities, such an opinion is held.

Mr. CAREW

As the Order comes in on the 15th, will the muzzles be ready for the public by that time?

Mr. PROTHERO

I hope so.