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CARLISLE. The tributaries of the Eden were free from disease in 1878. The Irthing 



was unusually well stocked with fish then. Overcrowding existed more in the 



Eden than the Irthing. The Eden was more crowded than the Irthing. 



There were only a few spawning beds in the Eden, which were filled with 

 spawning fish. The disease was first seen at Armathwaite, which is above 

 the Carlisle sewage, and in pure water. 



Thinks, when various theories are combined, it might be divided between 

 each of the different causes suggested, and that pollutions might have some- 

 thing to do with the disease. (Hands in letter from Mr. Stirling, describing the 

 fungus.) 



" College, Edinburgh, 

 " Dear Sir, 26th September 18/9. 



" I send you to-night a box, containing six microscopic preparations of 

 " the Saprolegnia ferax. They are mounted with all the impurities and 

 " detritus of the river, which happens to be entangled among the filaments of 

 " the fungus ; various kinds of hairs, animal and vegetable, also filaments 

 " from minute water plants, &c, are seen mixed up with the fungus. 



" You will, however, easily discern the filaments from the foreign matter. 



" I am, &c. 



" A. B. Stirling." 



If this is right, all the different causes suggested might have something to 

 do with it. Overcrowding and polluted water might predispose to a disease. 



Suggests that it would be advantageous if authority were given to remove 

 fish even suspected of disease. Legally there is no power to do so. The 

 steps taken by the Eden Board were really in defiance of the law. Would 

 take out diseased fish as well as dead ones. Many fish with symptoms of 

 disease, having run down to the estuary, have been sold, and were perfectly 

 good. Would remove these fish, as being the source of contagion. The Board 

 should have power to authorise this. 



There should be more power to remove pollution. 



In the Eden there are large numbers of "scullies" (chub); they cause 

 disease to a considerable extent. They are a great nuisance, and power should 

 be given to remove them. 



There should be more power to deal with pollutions with coarse fish and with 

 diseased fish. Boards should contrive to take action to deal with the disease. 

 Precautions and prompt action might prevent the disease from spreading. 



Has not heard that the disease has appeared in Ulleswater. Heard of a trout 

 taken by Mr. Slater there. Assuming the existence of disease in Ulleswater, 

 believes the diseased fish must have run up from the Eden. Salmon might 

 have passed up Eamont Bridge Bay in consequence of the floods this year. 



Cannot say how the disease has been carried from river to river. The fish 

 become freed from disease when they get to the sea. It cannot, therefore, 

 originate in the sea. Fish getting to the estuary here and returning to the 

 river, have been found cured. 



Cannot explain how the Nith, Annan, Esk, Doon, and Tweed have all been 

 affected at the same time. Has not been able to ascertain the cause of the 

 disease, notwithstanding scientific efforts. 



Predaceous birds may, he thinks, have carried the disease. It was shewn 

 that the rinderpest was carried by birds. A. bird feeding on diseased fish 

 might get his claws entangled in the disease and carry it from river to river. 



The Eden Board have gone to great trouble and expense to trace its origin, 

 but scientific evidence shows that it is not traceable. 



Cannot ascertain that any new manures have been introduced into the 

 district. Every effort has been made to ascertain this. 



[Hands in a letter from Mr. Braithwaite in reference to the disease in the 

 Kent. It is as follows : — ] 



"Dear Sir, Hawesmead, Kendal, June 11, 18/9. 



"About 25 years ago my informants, two brothers, of poaching cele- 

 " brity, tell me the trout were diseased in the Kent above Levens Park, but 

 " they got no sickly ones in the park. Sea fish can surmount an obstruction 

 " at the head of the park, but I doubt if many trout can. In the Bela no 

 " disease was found. 



