A manual of veterinary hygiene / [Sir Frederick Smith].

  • Smith, F. (Frederick), Sir, 1857-1929.
Date:
1905
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: A manual of veterinary hygiene / [Sir Frederick Smith]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    22/1082 (page 18)
    which the Veterinary Department should belong. Both the Medical and Veterinary Departments were originally a branch of the Privy Council; eventually they were cut off from this, the Medical passing to the Local Government Board, while the Veterinary passed to the Board of Agriculture. Public expert departments are not of much use unless their views can reach the Cabinet, and the Minister of Agriculture was a convenient mouthpiece for conveying to the Government the best advice on the matter of contagious and infectious animal diseases. Unfortunately, however, the Agricultural Department took charge of its Veterinary Section, filled important posts with laymen, accepted or refused expert advice as it thought fit, has ventured to instruct the profession on matters of pathology, and to show the extent to which lay control is prepared to go, furnishes an Annual Report on Animal Diseases to Parlia- ment ! All this might be regarded with some show of toleration, if the control of those diseases specially vested in their hands was carried out in an effective manner, or if they intelligently employed the immense powers placed in their hands by Act of Parliament. But throughout their object has been to throw upon the Local Authorities work which should be centralized, and when compelled to take it up themselves, have employed laymen to carry out some of its most important and technical features. It is perfectly certain if the country is to receive the full benefit of the veterinary advice which is available, the Agricultural Department in its relation to Veterinary State Medicine must either undergo a profound modification, or the Veterinary Service must be transferred elsewhere and a fresh Ministerial mouthpiece found. It has been] suggested to establish a Central Board of Health, having a Medical and Veterinary side, with a Minister of Public Health responsible to the country. We are decidedly in favour of such a scheme. A Central Board of Health is by no means a new idea; one came into