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March 5, 1898.]
effect and the removal therefrom, without the sanction of the Sanitary Board, of any animal, carcase, fodder, litter, utensil, or other thing therein is prohibited."
Mr. EDE-Are you going to prohibit the men going in and out of the farm ?
The PRESIDENT-Yes; that is the course we took in 1896.
The CAPTAIN SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE -What I want to know is about the watchman. One watchman cannot be on duty there throughout the twenty-four hours of the day.
The SECRETARY—I think I can get two other watchmen within twenty-four hours.
The PRESIDENT-I think the watchmen can be obtained. The police are absolutely necessary for that purpose, our Secretary will be able to obtain the watchmen.
Mr. EDE-How are you going to prevent the people in that place from communicating with the outside? On the last occasion we had some arrangement by which the people should come out after adopting certain precautions.
The PRESIDENT-I think it will be more satisfactory for the Secretary to write to the Dairy Farm suggesting the adoption of the steps which were taken in 1896. Then a watch- man was placed on the premises and no one was allowed to come out.
Mr. EDE-How was the food taken to them? The SECRETARY-I think some arrange. ments were made for the food to be carried
there.
The PRESIDENT-I should like to mention that in 1894 there was an attack of rinderpest amongst the cattle before the plague broke out in this Colony; again in 1896 there was another outbreak of rinderpest before the plague epidemic of that year.
Mr. EDE-I noticed that.
The PRESIDENT-There may be some con- nection between the two. I think there very probably is.
The CAPTAIN SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE I do not see anything in these regulations about preventing people from going in or com- ing out of the farm,
The PRESIDENT-It states so here. The CAPTAIN SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE -All it states is that the removal of any animal, carcase, fodder, 11550r, utensil, or other thing therein is prohibited."
The PRESIDENT-Nothing can come out of the place.
The CAPTAIN SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE -There is no law to compel them to remain there.
Mr. EDE-They were recommended to remain there for their own protection.
The SECRETARY-They did that of their own accord. We recommended it, but we had no power to compel it. We did not order it.
The CAPTAIN SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE. There is no power to prevent the people from having communication with the outside world.
The PRESIDENT" The removal of any animal, carcase, fodder, litter utensil or other thing therein is prohibited."
The CAPTAIN SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE. -I know it is.
The PRESIDENT-They are liable to a penalty for a breach of these bye-laws, but it does not prevent a coolie from going out, if he seizes his opportunity.
The CAPTAIN SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE -Coolies did go out; one or two did. Our powers are limited. We have got to stop the infection going out. If a man chooses to keep his servants in it is all right, but we cannot compel him.!
The PRESIDENT-The object of course is to prevent the disease as far as we possibly can from spreading to the opposite farm.
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Mr. EDE-Under Section 12 the Board can "take such steps to prevent the spread of the disease as it deems necessary.' Therefore I should think we could order the people to remain there, but we might advise the manager to give the order.
The PRESIDENT-I move that Sassoon's Villa, Pokfulam, be declared an area infected with rinnderpest.
Mr. EDE-Three cattle ware slaughtered,
Mr. Ladds ?
Mr. LADDS-Yes.
Mr. EDE-Has there been any disease amongst the other six?
Mr. LADDS-No, not so far.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
The PRESIDENT-Any fever ? Mr. LADDS-Not so far.
The PRESIDENT-Have they been examined to-day?
Mr. LADDS-Yes, I went out there to-day. The MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH-How many cattle are there altogether ?
Mr. LADDS-Six European bred cattle and sixteen native bred cattle.
The PRESIDENT-How many cattle have already died of the disease in addition to those slaughtered ?
Mr. LADDS-Twelve, I think; I am not sure. Mr. EDE-All European cattle ? Mr. LADDS-Yes.
Mr. EDE-You expressed the opinion last time that the native bred cattle were not likely to catch the disease.
Mr. LADDS-No, I said that it appeared that the native bred cattle had had the disease before and therefore were perhaps immuned, but they are just as likely to catch the disease as the others.
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Mr. EDE-Is it sufe to allow the native bred cattle, who are supposed to be immuned, to go out and to be put somewhere else?
The PRESIDENT-No, certainly not, I should say. - Ask Mr. Ladds.
Mr. LADDS-I think the best plan would be to remove these European bred cattle some distance from the present infected sheds, then disinfect the whole place, and open the place again.
The PRESIDENT-By that means you may infect another spot.
Mr. LADDS-Don't remove them off the farm, but into another shed. There is plenty of room down the hill side. There is an old bungalow; I think it's called Chater's bungalow.
The PRESIDENT-That is a matter of arrange. ment with the Dairy Farm employees. I think Mr. Ladds might arrange with the manager of
Sassoon's Villa.
Mr. EDE-There are certain native cattle which are supposed to be immuned and are giving milk. By declaring this place infected we prevent the milk from coming out without the sanction of the Sanitary Board.
The PRESIDENT-There are, I understand, 170 cattle in the other farm.
Mr. EDE-If it is necessary to stop the milk we will do so, but if it is not necessary I think it should not be done.
Mr. LADDS-I think there is no reason to stop the milk. Section 13 says "without the sanction of the Sanitary Board." I do not see why you should not let them do it if you cannot prevent coolies from going out with the
milk.
The PRESIDENT-Is it wise, to permit this? The clothing of those people who are in the in- fected area might get contaminated by having been in contact with cattle already infected.
Mr. LabDs-The Captain Superintendent of Police told you you cannot stop the coolies.
The PRESIDENT-But you do not wish to multiply the risk.
The CAPTAIN SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE —I did not say you cannot stop the coolies.
Mr. EOE-How would it do to declare the
place an infected area and then for Mr Ladds to communicate with the manager of the farm stating that, by adopting certain precautions, they could send out the milk until they were stopped?
The PRESIDENT-Personally I do not think it is wise, because by that means you might spread the disease.
sup-
The MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH-I pose they are distributing this milk at the pre- sent moment?
Mr. LADDS-At present they are. Mr. EDE-The disease can only be spread by contact. It is not a question of the milk.
Mr. LADDS-I do not think the milk conveys the disease.
The MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH-Is it possible for this milk to be sold as food for
calves ?
Mr. LADDS-No. I do not think so.
The PRESIDENT-No possibility? Do you know what is done with the milk ?
Mr. LADDS-It goes to Wyndham Street. The PRESIDENT-Anybody can buy it? Mr. LADDS-Yes.
The PRESIDENT-Therefore anybody-any Chinese dairy-might buy it to feed calves.
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The CAPTAIN SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE -I beg to second the resolution.
Mr. EDE-I do not exactly know what to do. I think with proper precautions we might let' the milk out.
The PRESIDENT-I should like to know if the Police have been informed of the presence of rinderpest at that farm in accordance with Bye-law 14.
The CAPTAIN SUPERINTEndent of POLICE I have received information of it, but not from the owners of the farm.
The PRESIDENT-I think their attention should be drawn to that bye-law, I recommend that they be furnished with a copy of these bye- laws.
The MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH-In regard to coolies going in and out of the farm and the possibility of their spread- ing the disease, would it not be advisable to take the advice of the Crown Solicitor as to whether under by-law 12 "taking such steps to prevent the spread of the disease" would not include prohibiting conlies going in and out?
The PRESIDENT-This should be done. The CAPTAIN SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE -I think the coolies ought to be kept in.
Mr. EDE-So do I.
Mr. LADDS-I do not think that coolies would spread the disease, but it is possible.
The SECRETARY said he would arrange that matter with the manager of the farm.
The resolution declaring the farm at Sassoon's Villa an infected area was then carried.
The PRESIDENT asked the Secretary to read a letter which had been received from Mr. Ladds this morning.
The SECRETARY read the following letter:-
Government Offices,
2nd March, 1898. Sir, I have the honour to report, for the information of the Board that in accordance with the resolution passed at the special meet- ing which was held yesterday morning to con- sider the question of dealing with the outbreak of rinderpest at Pokfulam, and which reads --
That the animals that are now diseased be slaughtered, and that as others at the same place show symptoms of the same disease that they also be slaughtered," the three animals at Sassoon's Villa which were showing symp- toms of rinderpest have been destroyed and buried.
I take this opportunity of recording as my opinion that the only present effectual method of dealing with an outbreak of rinderpest in a shed of dairy cattle in the colony is the imme- diate slaughter and burial of every animal in that shed directly the disease makes its appear- ance. No half measures should be entertained. Prompt action is necessary.
think the time is not far distant when the serum treatment of this disease will be gener ally adopted, but this system needs the use of special apparatus, which at present is not avail- able. I have the honour to be, &c.,
The Secretary,
Sanitary Board.
C. VIVIAN Ladds.
The PRESIDENT-Since receiving this letter I have read the Cattle Diseases Act in force in
England and there it states "that any animals suspected of being infected with cattle plague, or being or having been in the same shed, herd, or flock, even if they have not the disease, within an infected area shall be slaughtered." After ascertaining this I quite agree with Mr. Ladds
that all the cattle within the shed should be slaughtered.
Mr. EDE-But Mr. Ladds seid the native cattle were immuned.
Mr. LADDS-I believe they are myself. I think they have had the disease at some previous
time.
ing been in the same shed, herd, or flock." I The PRESIDENT-" Any cattle being or hav- certainly think that if that is the custom at home it should be carried out here. Have the sixteen been in the same shed?.
Mr. LADDS-Some of them.
The PRESIDENT-I think it would be safer if they were all slaughtered.
Mr. EDE-I think it would be better to let the matter rest at the resolution passed at the last meeting, and if another case arises we can adopt that method. There has not been another case and it is possible there will not be another.