MPX5098218: Why Helicopters are Taking a Dep: Army helicopters queued up to take a dip in disinfectant on Friday (24-11-67). For even a helicopter can spread the dreaded foot and mouth disease which is sweeping Britain. The Army set up this disinfectant bath at its flying school at Middle Wallop, Hampshire. At midnight on Friday night, the whole of Britain - except Northern Ireland - became a controlled area. Now no animal can be moved without a license. But despite all the precautions, foot and mouth is still spreading. There were fifty-nine outbreaks on Friday, making a total of 963 since the epidemic began a month ago. More than 170,000 animals have been slaughtered. Northern Ireland has banned all vehicles from Britain. And Switzerland has stopped importing British meat. In the West Country, disinfecting points have been set up on the six main roads leading into Somerset. At Bristol, the zoo is closed to the public for the first time in more than 100 years. Visitors are wanted to stay away from the Peak District, because "there is a real danger that once the disease reaches the moors it may spread disaster along the whole backbone of England." November 1967 / Bridgeman Images