In Scotland there was an increase in the counties of Aberdeen, Ayr, and Midlothian, while in the counties of Clackmannan, Fife, Kirkcudbright, Linlithgow, and Stirling, which were free in 1895, the disease was reported in 1836.

The total number of outbreaks confirmed during the year 1896 was 5,166, which is 1,139 less than in the previous year. The total number of pigs slaughtered was, however, somewhat greater, being 79,586, as compared with 69,931 in 1895.

The following table, which is otherwise similar to those prepared in former years, includes for the first time the number of cases of tuberculosis detected in the viscera sent for examination to the laboratory. It will be observed that tuberculosis is by no means a common disease of the pigs in this country, a fact which may be regarded as somewhat remarkable when it is borne in mind that pigs have access to, and are frequently fed upon, offal of diseased animals.

Experience in the laboratory demonstrates that the lesions of tuberculosis in swine are rarely found in any other organs than the lungs and spleen; that they are very seldom met with on the surface of the serous membranes, and when present in the lungs they nearly always assume the form of miliary deposits. In this respect tuberculosis of the pig more nearly resembles tuberculosis in the lungs of man than it does when it attacks the lungs of other domesticated animals. Monthly returns of post-mortems of swine made during the year 1896.

Only one case of pleuro-pneumonia was discovered in 1895, and that by a butcher in East London. The origin of the animal was traced, and all cattle which had come in contact with it were killed, but no further trace of the disease was found.

In 1896 there were 90 reports of suspected outbreaks, but a careful examination limited the disease to two of them. In connection with these two outbreaks 189 cattle were killed, and out of this number 9 cases of pleuro-pneumonia were found.

ANTHRAX.

In 1895 there were 434 outbreaks of anthrax in Great Britain, and the number of animals attacked was 934. About two-thirds of the animals attacked were cattle. In most cases the spread of the disease could have been prevented if the ordinary precautions had been taken against the spilling of the blood of the diseased animal on the premises. It was noted as a matter of interest and importance that there was a tendency for this disease to recur on certain farms, in some instances three or four times, and in one instance six times. "It is easy to understand that where a farm becomes infected to such an extent as above described the owner seeks everywhere to find some means of prevention, and it is much to be regretted that no safe method has yet been discovered." Notwithstanding, the chief veterinary officer, in his report for 1896, says "it can not be said that anthrax can be regarded as a disease of very great importance in this country." In 1896 there were about two cases to each outbreak, the same proportion which existed in 1895. Of the 904 cases reported, 632 were cattle, 34 sheep, 200 swine, and 38 horses. It is noted that anthrax in Great Britain nearly always originates among cattle.

GLANDERS.

It is stated that the number of cases reported in 1894 was 1,172 and in 1895, 1,273. This increase is simply an increase of cases reported, due to better methods of detecting the disease in the use of mallein. "The general experience is that the mallein test can be regarded as a thoroughly reliable agent for the detection of glanders in its occult form when no external manifestations of the disease are present."

The disease was not so prevalent in 1896, 300 fewer cases being reported than in 1895. Upon inquiry, the conclusion was drawn that this decrease was due to the greater precautions being taken to prevent the introduction and spread of the disease. Mallein was used extensively, apparently with the most satisfactory results.

RABIES.

The number of cases of rabies reported in 1895 was 672, a remarkable increase over any previous year. In 1894 the number of cases was 248. It is said that the perpetuation of the disease is due to stray dogs. Of the 672 cases mentioned 273 were of this class, and it is suggested that the only means of eradication is to seize the ownerless animals. In the above total are included 55 other animals, 5 of them being cats.

The seizure and slaughter of ownerless dogs, as suggested in 1895, and muzzling those that had homes, materially reduced the number of cases of rabies in 1896. During this year 438 cases were reported and 323 dogs were killed because they had been exposed to the infection. Nearly a third of those attacked were stray dogs. In addition to the dogs, 4 cattle, 17 sheep, and 1 horse were attacked.

SHEEP SCAB.

Sheep scab was reported from every county in England in 1895 except Berks, Dorset, and Scilly Isles, from every county in Wales, and from all counties in Scotland but five. The number returned as affected was 48,663, but it was assumed that this not nearly covered the number that was really affected and would have been detected by a careful individual examination. An order was issued this year which gave to the local authorities power to deal with diseases within their district, and to prevent the movement of sheep into their district from that of any other local authority.

In 1886 the board of agriculture reports that the disease remains as prevalent as ever, so far as its distribution is concerned. The sheep reported as being affected with scab was 48,688, a number so nearly like that for 1895 that it is a coincidence. It is remarked that Dorset County, which was reported free from scab in 1895, was also free in 1896, although it had 370,000 sheep within its borders, and was surrounded by counties in which the disease existed. The disease is far less prevalent in Scotland than in Wales.

FRANCE.

The following tables show the condition of France with reference to contagious diseases of animals for the years 1895 and 1896. They are compiled from the sanitary bulletin issued monthly under the direction of the minister of agriculture:

Number of outbreaks of contagious diseases among animals in France during the

Number of outbreaks of contagious diseases among animals in France during the

The records received from Norway are not complete, but such as are available are embodied in the table given below, being compiled from the monthly bulletin on animal diseases issued by the Norwegian Government:

Table showing the number of cases of contagious diseases reported for certain months of 1895 and 1896.

There were in Belgium during the year 1896 outbreaks of contagious animal diseases as follows: Glanders and farcy, 140; aphthous fever, 460; anthrax, 285; blackleg, 230; foot rot, 2, and pleuro

pneumonia 1; 94 cases of rabies were reported. The later months of the year showed a marked increase in the number of cases of aphthous fever. Vaccination against anthrax, blackleg, and rouget is practiced.

HUNGARY.

The following statements are compiled from official documents of the Hungarian Government:

ORIENTAL CATTLE PLAGUE.

The Oriental cattle plague has not been discovered in a single instance in the year 1896.

ANTHRAX.

The existence of anthrax has been officially established in 59 counties, affecting 191 horses, 1,780 cattle, and 1,074 sheep. Compared with 1895, it is shown that the counties infected are fewer by 1, while 59 fewer horses were affected, 591 fewer cattle, and 83 fewer sheep. There died from the disease 190 horses, 1,703 cattle, and 800 sheep, this being 57 horses, 516 cattle, and 356 sheep fewer than in the preceding year. The proportion of the entire number of animals lost is

This disease has been found in 60 counties, the cases being 1,274

Compared with 1895,

The number of dogs

dogs, 14 horses, 74 cattle, 8 sheep, and 63 hogs. the number of counties was 3 greater in 1896. affected was 47 greater; of horses, 1; cattle, 14; and sheep, 7; while there have been 33 fewer hogs affected.

One hundred and one dogs died, 1,049 were killed, and 124 escaped. Of the animals suspected (having been bitten) the following were killed: 3,826 dogs, 7 horses, 1 donkey, 9 cattle, 62 sheep, 1 goat, 27 hogs, 133 cats, 11 fowls, and 38 other animals.

GLANDERS.

Glanders was officially announced as existing in 53 counties, affecting 628 horses. Comparison with the previous year shows the number of counties affected to be one fewer and the number of horses 549 fewer Of the 628 horses affected 602 were killed and 26 died. Besides these, 53 horses which were suspected were killed, making a total of 681 horses lost, 560 fewer than the year 1895. The loss represented 0.034 per cent of the total number of horses.