FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22568, 11 May 1935, Page 7

FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE

TO THE EDITOR ; ; Sib,—A good answer to those who wish to have the embargo on-stock lifted, because of the decline in the quality of the stock that is. bred in New Zealand, is contained in the second column of page 3 in Tuesday's issue of the Otago Daily Times. Personally I have always held that the pedigree stock at present here is eaual to anything, in the same class, anywhere in the world. Evidently because a few wealthy breeders in England wish to get rid of their surplus . stock at - highly payable prices, the fact that foot and mouth disease is liable to be introduced into New Zealand matters little. As a preventive, the time of travelling and the quarantine period are supposed to check this disease, but if that is so, why is the English Governni'ent still at a loss to know how and when the disease is transmitted from one herd to another miles apart, with all its strict control? —I am, etc., Pansy.

TO THE EDITOR Sib, —If your correspondent, Mr D. G. Algie, and others who oppose the lifting of the embargo on the introduction of live stock from England and regard the proposal as "criminal stupidity," could be induced to write from actual knowledge and from personal observation of the disease, instead of reiterating foolish beliefs disseminated for selfish purposes, your correspondence column s would then assuredly be put to better service.' I happened to he living on a dairy farm in the north of England when the disease first made its appearance about the year 1869 or 1870. Some 20 per cent, of the cattle were affected —mostly milk cows, exceeding two years of age. Gf course, no one knew anything about the treatment of the disease, and farmers had-to use their own judgment in the matter. They certainly had more sense than to destroy each animal affected or suspected, with the result that all fully recovered and, a lew months later, no trace of ill-effects were visible."'" T heard of a few fatalities attributable partly to .wrong treatment, or to the age and'enfeebled condition' of cowg which were quite due to be weeded, out. Common sense prevented indiscriminate visitations to neighbouring farms during the epidemic, but a year_ later, when the position was calmly examined, the general opinion of intelligent farmers was that foot-and-mouth disease, although very painful, "did more good than harm, as strong, healthy stock seemed immune. It tended to discourage inbreeding, .'and showed the necessity of maintaining strpng, healthy herds. The health and vigour of New Zealand cattle, owing to the exceptionally equable climate of this country, are generally very high. It is just possible, however, that a few farmers, owing to sentiment or carelessness, neglect the needful wedding out of aged and unprofitable live stock. This is the class of people that is mainly responsible for.' the present embargo in New Zealand, and also for the present legislation in [Great Britain which, for 65 years, hag', apparently struggled in vain to suppress the disease. If the authorities happen to succeed in jts suppression during the coming centurie s without removing the cause which produced it, it can only result in. a more malignant disease taking its place. Foot-and-mouth disease, like- cancer, is simply an accident, so that the so-called research to find the cause of. it is an absurdity. Its real cause is ignorance. A common excuse is, "Didn't know it was loaded.". Can you imagine any sane person looking for the cause of accidents with a microscope? In any case it seems better and cheaper to build a fence at the top of the cliff than to maintain an ambulance at the bottom!—l am, etc., C. H. Mason. Timaru, May 9.