SWINE FEVER

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1685, 15 June 1904, Page 62

SWINE FEVER

At the recent conference of the Vic torian Blitter Factory Managers’ Association, Mr W. T. Kendall, M.E.C.V.S.. contributed' a paper in reference to the r fresh outbreak of swine fever. The chief "“' lessons of the outbreak were set out thus: —That, as it exists at present, the Stock Department affords very little protection against the introduction of now stock diseases, nor does it provide'the

means for effectually dealing with any outbreak of disease of which the officials have had no experience. Had swine fever been correctly diagnosed when it first broke out, and proper impressive measures been adopted, the country would have been saved thousands of pounds. It was to be greatly regretted that the suppressive measures were not carried out to the complete eradication of swine fever. It might have been effected had those pig-owners and agents who were so active in getting the restrictions removed kept quiet a little longer. They would yet be sorry for their interference. Already there was evidence of an extensive recrudescence of the disease, and with the continual evasion of all sanitary laws, it would soon be as bad as ever, and the money already spent be as good as thrown away. Not only would all the work have to be gone over again, but there was toe risk of it becoming a permanent necessity to keep the disease in check. Swine fever had recently been reported in the Western district, and it was stated that there had been a heavy mortality amongst pigs in the Lindenow district, one man having lost 500 pigs, valued at <£lsoo. Someone originated the idea that the deaths were due to plant poisoning. Whoever heard of such a thing as 500 pigs belonging to one owner dying from plant poiso’ning! Our first line of defence against foreign invasion of diseases should be a careful inspection and testing of all imported stockby a experienced veterinary officer. Specially trained veterinary officers should also be engaged in the investigation of all diseases of doubtful character. /Ibe State should be divided into districts, and a veterinary surgeon appointed to each, with a retaining fee fo-r inspectorial work, and be allowed private practice. Stock-owners had the right to insist on adequate service for the thousands of pounds annually spent on the Stock Department. The pig industry was growing in* importance, and, if it were to be a continued success, arrangements would have to be made for proper supervision and control, or swine fever and allied diseases would seriously jeopardise it. Registration of piggeries, periodical 'inspection by competent inspectors, compulsory notification of disease, and. a proper system of inspection, and disinfection of markets were absolutely essential, and, instead of resenting the necessary precautions and restrictions, pig-owners, if they looked far enough ahead and studied their own interests, would render all the assistance they could. Individual owners who wished, to keep clear of swine fever in their piggeries should breed their own pigs, avoid buying at the markets, keep their piggeries in the best sanitary condition, and provide a wholesome food supply.