On the Furia hifernalis. 43 



fingers, which rapidly increased, and, on examining the part, 

 she found a small puncture like the prick of a needle ; her mas- 

 ter, who was by, had the presence of mind to cut the finger off 

 on the spot, and it was the means of saving her life. 



The pest is stated to have been confined to Russian and Swe- 

 dish Lapland, and did not spread higher than Muonioniska. 

 Norwegian Lapland fortunately was not visited with this cala- 

 mity ; and, in order to prevent it from being introduced, all 

 furs, during the year of its prevalence, were forbidden to be pur- 

 chased *. 



As these accounts were unsatisfactory, and I could not hope 

 to obtain better information from such remote quarters, I was 

 induced also, on this occasion, to apply to Mr Retzius, whom I 

 have mentioned before, who, having examined the reports of 

 health of the northern provinces of Sweden, transmitted annually 

 for the information of the government, has forwarded to me the 

 result of his inquiries, by which it appears, that, during the sum- 

 mer of 18S3, and the year following, there was a great morta- 

 lity among the rein-deer in Norbotten and Lapland, which was 

 attributed to some unwholesome quality in the moss ; but that 

 he, as well as others of the faculty at Stockholm, had been led 

 to consider the disorder, by which they were attacked, as a par- 

 ticular variety of hydrophobia. It appears, likewise, that the 

 deer are not unfrequently subject to another complaint, an in- 

 flammation of the brain ; and that, upon opening the part af- 

 fected, a small vesicular worm-f- is sometimes found, although 

 in what manner the animal is generated has not yet been ex- 

 plained. The most remarkable symptoms of this disorder, which 

 comes on with great suddenness, are an extraordinary degree of 

 fury, during which the animal attacks and even kills its owners, 

 and frightful convulsions, terminating in death. 



• I have since ascertained, that, in consequence of the alarm excited by the 

 reported ravages of the Furia, an edict was actually issued from the Amt- 

 mand of Finmark, prohibiting the introduction of all furs into the country 

 during that year. 



-f The Tosnia cerebralis ; this worm is frequently found also beneath the 

 brain of sheep, and occasions the disease known by the name of rickets. 



