SCIENTIFIC EXTERMINATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 5372, 3 September 1904, Page 12

SCIENTIFIC EXTERMINATION.

PROPOSAL BY THE PASTEUR REPRESENTATIVE. (Sydney ‘’Daily Telegraph,” Aug. 25.) A. representative gathering of pastoralists yesterday morning met Mr Harold Sorby, manager of the Pasteur Vaccine Company, ono of the corporations associated with tho Pasteur Institute. Tho meeting was hold at the offices of the “Pastoralists’ Review,” and was convened by Mr A. AY. Poarse, who occupied the chair. Mr Sorby lias been in Sydney for the last ton days in connection with the introduction to Australia of the Pasteur anthrax and black leg vaccines. Ho had been asked, ho said, to discuss the progress of tho science' of bacteriology with regard to the destruction of rats, mice and rodent pests. Exhaustive tests had boon made in France, and it had been amply demonstrated that certain virus proved fatal to rabbits. It was a family disease, fatal only to the species for which it was cultivated. It had been proved by the Institute that tho virus was innocuous to sheep and cattle, and, except under special circum-

stances, to birds. The exception was in tho case of birds taking infection from the rabbit immediately after its death. Tho disease proposed for introduction to the rabbits would bo purely local. It was totally dissimilar from the old form of chicken cholera, experiments with which wore conducted in Sydney in 1888; it was similar to that which had successfully destroyed rats and mice in France. Dr Roux distributed a sort of destructive germ in the rat colonics by means of edibles soaked in the particular bacilli, and an area of 29(35 acres was treated. Here various kinds of cereals, vinos and trees abounded. In tho previous year a grain crop had boon completely destroyed by tho pest, the ground being perforated by underground pasages. Dr Roux estimated that ho destroyed 95 per cent, of the rodents, the ground having been ploughed up to discover the result of the experiment. Experiments with respect to the destruction of rabbits had been conducted by tho institute on a small scalo, and it had been demonstrated that tho disease worked itself out after three generations. Accordingly they had to continue cultivation of tho virus to keep it up, and there was absolutely no danger of an epidemic. Mr Sorby gave some details as to the methods wliich might be followed in exterminating rabbits. Areas could be dealt with, and fresh baits laid each day. If 1000 impregnated baits were laid, more than 50 per cent, would probably prove effective by reason of rabbits picking thorn up. It would. be necessary to lay fresh baits in each district, because the virus was short-lived, and once the rabbit contracted the disease a fair percentage ot contamination with others would follow. A general discussion followed, during which Mr Sorby stated that there had been no definite information prepared as to the cost of introducing the disease to Australia. After further exhaustive experiments by the Pasteur Institute, it would bo necessary to establish laboratories in Australia for the cultivation of the virus. The establishment of a laboratory locally was absolutely necessary, and they would have to engage the services of a skilled bacteriologist as well as assistants from the Pasteur Institute to cultivate and distribute the virus. Tho efficacy of the scheme could be demonstrated in a period of six months, and the cost, he estimated, would run into about £SOOO. In reply to a question, Air Sordy said the Institute would be able to prove to the Government that tho virus was innocuous to other animals, while fatal to rabbits. Other matters having , been referred to the visitor, and replied to, Mr Winchcombe, MX.A., suggested that Mr Sorby should submit a definite proposal for consideration by the Stockowners’ Association. The subject, he said, was of great importance to pastoralists, as well as the general community, ami he expressed the hope_ that something tangible and of lasting benefit to the people would result from their discussions. Subsequent to the meeting Mr Sorby stated that he w-quld prepare a proposal giving an outline ot the methods which should be adopted, and estimates of the cost of proving in the State that virus could do all that was claimed for it. Tho chairman (Mr Pearse) announced that tho matter would be referred to a meeting at the Stock-owners’ Association on AVednesday next.