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DISEASE CONTROL IN N.S.W.
Mr. J. G. JOHNSTON. Stock Inspector, Albury. President of the Institute. "Conference, 1937."
The purpose of this paper is to set out briefly the various steps that have been taken to control disease in stock during the last quarter of a century. It may be of interest and of some value to the younger members of the institute.
In the first place I wish to refer to appointment of Stock Inspectors. Prior to 1902 the gentlemen appointed to these positions had to be possessed of practical knowledge of stock diseases existent in Australia, be of good character and well recommended. In 1902 the first Pastures Protection Act was placed on the statutes, and in it provision was made for the appointment of Inspectors. Before an appointment could be made, however, an Inspector was required to hold a certificate in accordance with the regulations. In order to obtain the certificate, candidates for positions as Stock Inspectors were examined in practical and theoretical matters pertaining to the work they would be called upon to perform. As time went on and with the advancement in knowledge, the standard of the test was raised until we have now arrived at the stage that all recent appointments have been graduates in Veterinary Science, and I have no hesitation in saying that the effciency of the service to-day is of a very high standard.
In 1923 the Glenfield Veterinary Research station was established, and the Stock Diseases Act came into force. In 1926, part of the State was divided into districts with a District Veterinary Officer in the centre. Quite recently more D.V.O. districts have been established.
With the establishment of Glenfield a real commencement was made to investigate many of the disease problems which had been causing anxiety and loss to stock owners. The Stock Inspectors were doing their part in field Investigation, but until GlenfleId started research work could not be undertaken on a satisfactory basis. No matter how capable or energetic the field officer is, without the scientific research workers, investigation into obscure complaints must reach a dead end.
With the appointment of D.V.O.s there has been a general stimulation in field activities; and to-day the stock owners of N.S.W. have a service at their call to control disease which is comparable with any in the world. The Department of Agriculture has provided these facilities, and immense benefits have been obtained by individual stock owners, which in turn must be a national benefit.
Many Instances can be given of charged and improved methods of control. Take, for instance, Pleura pneumonia contagiosa. Fifteen or twenty years ago, when an outbreak occurred sick animals were destroyed, contacts inoculated, and quarantine imposed. When the quarantine period had expired, the cattle were released and soon forgotten. At times there would be a recurrence of the disease which very often was connected with the first outbreak. The position is very different now, as all cattle which have been kept in quarantine are kept under supervision without restricting movement until they pass out of the State or are slaughtered. Again, there are to-day certain steps taken to watch over the movements of cattle introdUced from Queensland. Similar activities were not in operation years ago. As you are aware, the result has been a decided reduction in the number of outbreaks.
A striking example of efficient control occurred in connection with the last outbreak of Swine Fever in the State. Several outbreaks were reported almost simultaneously from places wide apart. It was very soon established that all the outbreaks were connected and the machinery for dealing with it was set in motion. The powers under the Stock Diseases Act were exercised, and although the outbreak was particularly virulent, its spread was definitely checked and in a few months the disease was totally wiped out and there has not been a recurrence. While Swine Fever is under review, it may be opportune to say here that it is only a few years since it was found that there was a distinction between it and B. Suipestifer infection.
Another very good example of how disease can be controlled comes under notice in Black disease in sheep, which is comparatively new. We are all conversant with recent activities in this regard, but a very striking feature is the large number of owners who have adopted the control measures advocated, and who hitherto would never admit that the disease existed on their holdings.
The above three diseases are referred to, but are only examples of what has and is being done. There are many others, such as internal parasites, contagious abortion, entero-toxaemia, plant poisoning, nutritional troubles, deficiency diseases, external parasites, various poultry diseases, anthrax, blackleg, and so on.
The fundamental principle in disease control is early diagnosis and prevention of spread, and if this is recognised. considerable trouble and loss can be avoided.
I have already mentioned that the Department of Agriculture has an efficient organisation to control diseases in stock, and the members of this Institute realise that each is an important unit and represents the first line of attack (the outposts or scouts, if you like).
The importance of preventing and controlling disease will perhaps be more vividly impressed when it is realised that the value of live stock on New South Wales represents over three hundred million pounds. This huge industry is carried on with very great assistance from climatic influences, and so long as the efficiency of the disease controlling organisation is kept up to the requisite standard, so will it be protected.
In concluding this paper it is desired to pay a tribute to the old officers who, 30 or 40 years ago, did their part in controlling disease in accordance with the ideas then existing, and to Mr. Max Henry, B.V.Sc., who is largely or perhaps wholly responsible for the efficiency of the organisation to-day.