REPORTS.

!t t I' II r t 5.

RESOLUTIONS PASSED BY THE EIGHTH INTER­NATIONAL VETERINARY CONGRESS, BUDAPEST, 1905.

INSURANCE OF CATTLE.

Insurance aA 1inst Epizootic Diseases.

I. IN the form and to the extent indicated in the reports submitted to the Congress, general compulsory insurance by owners against loss of cattle ,through epizootic diseases constitutes a simple, cheap, and workable State undertaking, provided it is based on co-operative action; and it is to be recommended wherever the State authorities do not accept and practise such compensation as a fixed principle, and where the agricultural population demand insurance.

Insurance against Death.

2. The insurance of cattle, swine, goats, and horses required for agricultural purposes against loss by death, accident, or compulsory slaughter, in order to 'safeguard that considerable part of the national wealth represented by the domesticated animals, should be regarded as a pressing duty of those represent­ing agricultural and veterinary interests, and of the Government, as a means of furthering the rational breeding of domestic animals and promoting the prosperity of agriculture in general.

3. The simplest, cheapest, and most efficacious method of carrying out such insurance of animals is the formation of small local Insurance Com­mittees, based on co-operative action, and the linking-up of such committees with a larger body, which would undertake the re-insurance of the local com­mittees. Such larger undertakings should be State-aided, or, better still, be organised and conducted as Government or provincial institutions.

Local Insurance Committees, unattached to any larger body, should possess a uniform organisation, and be subject to control by the State.

4. The formation of insurance unions would awaken the agricultural popu­lation to the importance of general obligatory insurance, first of all, for cattle, which form the most important and valuable part of the holdings of domestic animals. Once the majority of cattle-owners were won over to this view, it

,would become the duty of the State or provincial authorities to institute and conduct general obligatory insurance.

Insurance of cattle could be followed by insurance of horses, swine, and goats.

5. The services rendered by private insurance companies, based on co­operative action, are worthy of recognition. Nevertheless, agreement as to the fundamental principles of insurance, the legal limitations in regard to the founding and management of such companies, and the subordination of insurance companies to Government control, is desirable in the interests of

,agriculture. 6. Insurance against loss in value of living horses as a result of prolonged

and incurable disease or diseases limiting their power of work, as well as (against accident, requires further dev:elopment and extension. , 7. Insurance of domestic animals against loss by death, accident, or com· pulsory slaughter, during transport on railways and ships, during exposure for

,sale at marketsflnd other places, and when' at grass on distant pastures, con· ,stitute a largely,felt want amongst breeders and cattle dealers.

368 REPORTS.

Insurance of Animals destinedfor Slaughter. 8. Insurance of cattle destined for slaughter is a necessary corollary of the

laws concerning inspection onneat. It would remove the difficulties entailed by the laws regarding meat inspection, and would prevent fraud.

While ensuring dealers in such cattle and consumers against losses du.e ,t:o meat inspection being thrown on their shoulders, it would protect individual members of the trade from excessive losses, and distribute such losses equally and in a modified form over the whole of the trade.

As insurance of animals destined for slaughter enhances the efficacy of the system of meat inspection, it also protects public health. This form of in­surance is therefore in the interests of the meat trade, of agriculture, and of public health.

An interest which is so general justifies the foundation of general obligatory insurance of animals destined for slaughter by, State and local authorities, and their support by State aid. The functions of such institutions should extend over as large an area as possible. In addition, the meat trade, which continues to expand, requires that individual institutions should come to a common understanding, and should co-operate.

9. The preparation and regular periodical publication of uniform statistics should be attemptt!d by each variety of insurance.

Uniform statistics collated under similar systems would provide m::l,terial for the scientific development of every form of cattle insurance, would enrich our knowledge of the diseases of domestic animals, and would lay the founda­tion (or the development of veterinary-pathological geography.

10. Until this question, of insurance of cattle is completely cleared up, it should receiv€ a place in the order of the day for every succeeding Inter­national Congress.

Uniform Scheme for Periodical Veterinary Sanitary Returns. The VIIIth International Veterinary Congress in Buda Pesth recommends

the preparation of a uniform scheme for periodical veterinary reports, both 'in the interest of the veterinary officials of individual states and for the purpose of controlling international trade in cattle; it commissions its permanent staff tbtake the necessary measures for this purpose.

The Relationship between Tuberculosis in Men, Cattle, Birds, and other Domestic Animals (especially Dogs).

The Congress is of opinion :-J. That bovine tubercle bacilli are infectious for man, that some human

tubercle bacilli are very dangerous for cattle, and that in certain cases reciprocal infection is possible.

2. That it is desirable further to investigate to what degree avian tubercu­losis constitutes a danger for man and mammals.

3. That under any circumstances it is indispensable to continue precautions against the danger which may result from infection of man by bo~ine tub~I'cu-losis. '. " .'

The Struggle Against Tuberculosis in Domestic Animals. I. The struggle against tuberculosis in cattle is urgently necessary, not only

on account of the economic losses associated with the disease', but also on account of the danger of human infection. .

2. The stamping-out of tuberculosis in cattle by the owner (voluntary action) is feasible, and should be generally attempted. It calls for theieatliest slaughter of dangerOUSly-infected animals, and sedulous precautions against the infeetion of calves and other healthy animals. The voluntary stamping-out of tuberculosis in cattle can be assisted by the State through the propagation of

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enlightened views as to the nature of tuberculosis, the method of infection. and the significance of the tuberculin test, as well as by the assistance from State funds ..

IQ connection with the struggle against tuberculosis in domestic animals, tuberculin appears to be the best diagnostic means yet discovered.

The sale of tuberculin should be controlled by the State. Under no circum­stances should tuberculin be supplied to others than veterinary surgeons.

3. It is extremely desirable that the struggle against tuberculosis in cattle should be undertaken by the State. If entered on with certain precautions it is quite feasible, and it would check further spread of the disease and gradu­ally bring about its complete cessation. _ Such action would necessitate :-

(a) Compulsory notification by veterinary surgeons of every case of tuber­culosis met with by them in practice.

(b) Early slaughter of dangerously--diseased animals, particularly those with mammary, uterine, or intestinal tuberculosis, or with extensive tuberculosis of the lungs j compensation irom State funds, and interdiction of the return by co-operative dairies of skim milk unless after sterilisation.

Protective Inoculation Against Tuberculosis in Callie. The VIIIth International Congress urgently begs the variolls Governments

to provide the means for' carrying out on a large scale experiments directed towards testing the value of protective inoculation against bovine tuberculosis under the varying conditions existing in agricultural practice.

Until, however, the exact value of protective inoculation is finally deter­rnined, the continuance of the sanitary precautions already proved to be of such value is necessarily called for.

Uniform Principles f or Estimating the Tuberculin Reaction. I. The preparation and supply of tuberculin should be controlled by the

State. 2. No animal whose temperature exceeds 39'5° C. is a fit subject for the

tuberculin test. 3. A rise of temperature to above 40° C. in any animal whose temperature

at the moment of injection was below 39 ·5° C. is to be regarded as a positive reaction.

4. Any rise in temperature between 39·'5 ° and 40° C. must be regarded as of doubtful significance j animals exhibiting such require special study.

Uniform Principles Regarding tlte jlfallein R eaction. 1. Unless the results following the injection of mallein exhibit the charac­

teristics of a typical reaction, they must not be regarded as indicating the existence of glanders.

2. A typical reaction comprises a rise in temperature of at least 2° C. The rise would extend above 40° C. ; during the course of the first day the tem­perature curve usually exhibits a plateau or two peaks, and on the second, and sometimes even on the third, a more or less marked rise. This rise in tem­perature is accompanied by a local and general reaction.

3. Any rise in temperature which falls short of 40° c., and higher atypical reactions, necessitate a second test.

4. A gradual rise of temperature, sustained for some time. is indicative of glanrlers, even though it differs from the ordinary type of diagnostic reaction.

5. The local typical infiltration at the point of injection is a certain indica­tion of glanders even when the rise in temperature and the general organic reaction lail.

6. Animals which have undergone the mallein test, whether or not without 2 A

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reaction, should always be tested a second time after an interval of ten to twenty ·days.

7. The preparation of mallein should only be entrusted to scientific Govern­ment institutions or to institutions recognised and controlled by the State.

8. With the object of determining the full value of mallein, and of clearing up many still-unexplained points in regard to the mallein reaction, the Congress requests the various European Governments to appoint committees to study the question.

Protective Inoculation Against Foot-and-Molltlt Disease.

I. Experience shows that veterinary-police measures give excellent results if undertaken immediately on the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, and if conducted by veterinary surgeons.

2. It is desirable that the different States should undertake to notify each otht r by telegraph of the first appearance of the disease in their various possessions.

3. Having regard to the very interesting results of protective inoculation, the Congress expresses a wish that the various Governments would assist in the study of its practical applications.

Measures against Swine-Fever and Swine-Plague. .Protective Inoculation.

I. Swine-fever (wh:ch is often a mixed infection) ought to be controlled by veterinary-police and hygienic me;:tsures.

2. At the pre~ent time no known protective or curative inoculation methods -can be recommended. Further careful investigation is necessary to determine whether such methods and materials are to be sought in the directions already indicated, or whether entirely new methods must be devised.

Measllres against Rabies, including the Stamping-Out Metltod.

1. The struggle against and stamping-out of rabies in a Continental State can only prove successful when appropriate veterinary· police measures are strictly carried out in all the neighbouring countries. It is therefore urgently necessary that, as regards rabie~, the work of the veterinary police should be undertaken in all countries simultaneously and on the same principles.

2. The duty of reporting, which up to the present has only been compulsory .as regards rabid dogs and dogs suspected of rabies, must be extended to include all animals which have been bitten by rabid or suspected-rabid dogs. Not only mu~t the owner of the animal and the persons mentioned in par. 9. of the German Contagious Diseases Act be required to give notice, but all those who have knowledge of animals which have been bitten by such dogs.

3. It is an open question whether it might not be desirable to extend the muzzling order over a larger area than hitherto, and for a longer time than three months.

4. It is desirable that a uniform law relating to the ownership of d0gs, and containing the following conditions, should be introduced into all countries and severely enforced.

(a.) All dogs, both in towns and in the country, shall be reported, registered, and taxed.

(b.) Everysuch animal shall be provided with a metallic ticket attached to the collar and bearing the name of the owner and the number of the dog in the tax list.

(c.) Dogs without such metallic tickets and without muzzles shall be taken charge of by the police, and if not claimed within a stated time shall be killed.

REPORTS. 37 1

Tropical Diseases. Tropical diseases should form a subject for special instruction in the

veterinary schools of tropical countries and of countries possessing tropical colonies.

The individual Governments should investigate the sanitary condition of the domestic animals in their colonies, and especially enquire into the existence of diseases produced by protozoa.

It is desirable that the geographical distribution of differer.t infectious diseases, and the general laws relating to their spread, should be defined.

In e\'ery colony a Central Institution for Parasitology should be founded, provided with ample means and a technical staff of specially qualified investigators in bacteriology, mycology. parasitology, and entomology.

In colonies which are not yet provided with a veterinary-police staff, such a body should be constituted. This staff would control the operations of experts appointed to deal with disease; it should possess the most extensive possible powers for combating infectious diseases.

The institute for parasitology, the sanitary police staff, and the staff for dealing with epizootics should possess the most complete autonomy, and should only be answerable to the highest civil power.

Fillally, the scientific and administrative officers of these different institu­tions 5hould pass their entire careers in the same colonie~, or at least in colonies comprised within the same geographical region, inasmuch as success can only follow methodical work by those accustomed to the sanitary conditions of a given country.

Milk and its Treatment, with Especial Riference to the Obsenlance oj H)'gimic Requirements in Milking.

1. Milk hygiene, inclusive of a practical course in milk bacteriology and pl)lice control of the milk trade, should form a portion of the curriculum of vel erinary colleges.

2. The use of such terms as "tubercle-free milk," "milk for children," "hygienic milk," etc., as advertisements, should be forbidden, and the preparation of milk so described should be subject to special control (constant supervision of the animal's health, feeding, and treatment, of the methods of obtaining the milk, and ot its cooling immediately after with­drawal).

3. The police regulations should contain a clause prohibiting milk contain­ing dirt from being offer<!d for sale. In practice the milk to be examined would be placed in a litre bottle of clear glass. No deposit should occur after standing for three hours.

Adulteration of Jlfeat and Meat Products and the IIjore Recent Methods of Detecting such Adulteration.

The Eighth International Veterinary Congress is of opinion that only such materials as are known to be harm e~s, like salt, nitre. and sugar, and such methods as smoking, should be u-it·d for the preservation of meat and meat preparations. The use of any other substances to preserve or colour the said prOVisions should be forbidden: firstly, because they are added for purposes of deceptio:l and to give a more attractive appearance than the substance would naturally present, and, secondly, because it is uncertain whether or not they may prove mjurious to health.

Feedin~ with Molasses. The biological section of the Eighth International Veterinary Congress is

{)f opinion that molasses is an important form of food, both from the

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economic and dietetic standpoints. The choice of a material for absorbing the molasses must be based on physiological and economic grounds.

Organisation of Future Intemational Congresses. 1. International Veterinary Congresses tend to advance all branches of

veterinary science and to assist their practical applications. 2. The programmes of the Congresses should include special sections,

amongst others a clinical, a tropical, and a physiological anatomical section, in addition to a number of general meetings of all the sections ...

3. A standing International Congress Committee should be chosen to which the following members of the present Committee should be elected.

(a) The two chief officers of the present Congress. (b) Two representatives of the country in which the next Congress shall be

held. (c) A delegate from each of the other countries which have hitherto been

well represented. 4. The first duty of this Committee should be to formulate a plan of

organisation and a thorough scheme of work to be carried out at the next Congress. This scheme to be submitted to the last meeting of the next Congress for final approval.

5. Until further action is tahn, the Committee will arrange its own order of business and elect a president and general secretary. Voting will be by ballot, a simple majority to decide.

6. The Committee will also fix the "orders of the day" for the next Congress, and, before the date of the latter, ascertain whether the Jubilee Congress of 1913 can take place in London.

7. The IXth Congress will meet in Holland in 1909.

Promotion to tlte Degree of Dr Med. Vet. I. The Congress considers it necessary that the veterinary teaching

establishments, whether faculties or independent colleges, should have the right of conferring a degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

The Congress considers it desirable that the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine conferred by the facuIty of a university, should carry the same " kudos" as degrees conferred by any of the other faculties.

3. The Congress desires the standing Committee to take the neces~ary steps for the attainment of this object. (Berl. Tieriirztl. Wochenschr, 1905, NO·4!.

ROYAL VETERINARY COLLEGE, LONDON.

INAUGURATION OF THE WIl\TER SESSION, 1905-1906.

THE winter session at this institution was opened on Monday, 2nd October, when a large audience, comprising the teaching staff, past and present students, and members of the Board of Governor!", assembled in the large lecture theatre of the College to hear the Inaugural Address. The Chair was occu­pied by Sir THOMAS ELLIOTT, K.C.B., Secretary to the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries.

The CHAIRMAN said that his fir~t, perhaps his sole duty, that day was to call upon Mr HUNTING to deliver the introductory address. There was no more hearty lover of veterinary science than Mr Hunting, and he was quite sure that the words which he would utter would receive their careful atttntion, and that all would profit by what he had to tell.

MrW. HUNTING, F.R.C.V.S., who was received with applause, then delivered the introductory add res!', as follows :-