§ Mr. STANIERasked how many cases of anthrax there were in the British Isles in horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs respectively in the years 1908 and 1909; and also the same figures during the first five months of this year?
§ Sir E, STRACHEYThe subjoined Table gives the information for which the hon. Member asks:—
Year. Cattle. Sheep. Swine. Horses. Total. 1908 1,107 34 220 58 1,419 1909 1,244 70 310 74 1,698 1909 685 15 119 38 857 (1st 5 m'ths)
§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Board have reason to believe that a large number of cases now being returned as anthrax are not, in fact, anthrax; if so, what diseases are being mistaken for anthrax; Whether the bacillus of anthrax is one particularly easy of identification by any duly qualified veterinary surgeon; and why the Board's veterinary advisers now despair of ever stamping out anthrax in this country?
175W
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThe Board have reason to believe that a considerable proportion of the cases now returned as anthrax are not so in fact; but as in all cases where the cause of death is diagnosed as anthrax the animal's carcase is immediately destroyed, it is seldom possible to inquire fully into the cause of death. The bacillus of anthrax is easy to identify when present in fresh blood, but it is extremely difficult to exclude its presence when the animal has been dead for several176W hours. The Board have never expressed the opinion that anthrax could be stamped out; it can only be controlled.