Search South West England, Contagious Diseases, Farm Animals, 1878-1888

You will find information including -

• First name
• Last name
• Abode
• Farm address
• Date of inspection
• Status - infected or not

Between 1878 and 1888, Britain faced a turbulent period in the management of contagious diseases among farm animals, grappling with repeated outbreaks and the evolving science of disease control.

The decade began in the shadow of the cattle plague (rinderpest), which had swept through Europe in earlier years and reached Britain in the 1860s. Though largely eradicated by the 1870s, its legacy shaped future policy. In 1878, the British government strengthened the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act, centralising control and empowering the newly formed Privy Council's Veterinary Department to enforce quarantines, slaughter policies, and movement restrictions.

The period saw recurring outbreaks of pleuro-pneumonia and foot-and-mouth disease, both of which posed severe threats to livestock and trade. Slaughter-and-compensation policies became standard practice, despite resistance from some farmers due to the economic impact.

Between 1878 and 1888 in Britain, farmers with infected animals were legally required to report the disease to authorities. Veterinary inspectors would confirm the diagnosis, and affected farms were often quarantined with strict movement bans. For serious diseases like pleuro-pneumonia, infected and exposed animals were slaughtered, and farmers received partial compensation—usually up to 75% of the animal’s value. Premises were disinfected under official supervision before restocking was allowed. Non-compliance, such as hiding infections or moving animals illegally, could result in prosecution. These strict measures reflected the growing role of the state in managing animal health.