THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



140 



on this point with regard to many of them, in conse- 

 quence of the statements made with reference to the 

 condition of the body after death. An investigation of 

 the symptoms satisfied me that tlie disease was rot 

 in its most malignant form, and the doubt referred to 

 I found to have had its origin in a want of know- 

 ledge of even the most simple facts of the animal frame. 

 As I found indications of the disease in all the animals 

 '.o a greater or less extent, without reference to their 

 age, and as many were ewes in lamb, I deemed it pru- 

 dent to select on the different farms some for slaughter- 

 ing, with a view to determine if the individual pro- 

 prietors would be justified in keeping them a sufficient 

 time to produce and rear their lambs. In every case 1 

 regret to say that such was the advanced state of the 

 malady that I could not advise any other course being 

 taken besides that of disposing of the animals at a low 

 price as quickly as possible. Inquiries since made show 

 the propriety of this course ; and it will appear from a 

 report and details of particulars, furnished by Mr. King- 

 don, and attached hereto, that where the recommenda- 

 tion was not acted on the animals are being swept daily 

 away by death. This parish forms no exception un- 

 fortunately to the existence of rot among the sheep ; 

 and it is a serious thing to contemplate the great 

 amount of loss which the country as a whole will sus- 

 tain from the disease. Few districts can be found per- 

 fectly free of the malady, but especially does it prevail 

 on wet, cold, and undrained lands. Late investigations 

 into the natural history of the entozoon — the liver fluke 

 — on the presence of which in great numbers within the 

 biliary ducts the disease depends, would cherish the 

 hope that ere long preventive means may be adopted to 

 limit their development, and thus save the lives of 

 many of our sheep. — James B. Simonds, Veterinary 

 Inspector. 



The total number of sheep lost or sold at a reduced 

 price in this parish was 359, out of an original stock of 

 492. 



An interesting conversation ensued, in which Lord 

 Bemers, Mr. Frere, Mr. Dent Dent, Mr. Slaney, Mr. 

 Barker, Sir E. Kerrison, and Mr. Goodwin took part, 

 in which information was sought as to the origin of and 

 cure for this prevalent disease. 



Professor Simonds stated that investigations into the 

 natural history of flukes are now being instituted. Ex- 

 periments had some time since proved that the ova of 

 tapeworms became developed into hydatids, but science 

 until of late had done but little towards unveiling the 

 mystery connected with the liver fluke. It was not to 

 be supposed that flukes originated in the coarse grasses 

 of wet meadows, which grasses might be got rid of by 

 efficient drainage, but rather that the plants were indi- 

 cations of dangerous spots. 



The liver fluke did not immediately produce its kind 

 from its ova, for these give birth to creatures much 

 lower in the scale of organizatiop, and which had to 

 pass, when out of the body of the sheep, through a 

 series of transformations. 



The organism produced by the ova of flukes appeared 

 to be identical ^ith infasorial Cercarice met with in 



water, especially when stagnant. But it was still a 

 matter of doubt as to whether the Cercarije did not be- 

 come parasitic to other creatures, such as small species 

 of water snails, and in them undergo higher develop- 

 ment before entering the stomach and intestines of sheep 

 to undergo their last change, that of transforming into 

 flukes, which would find their way into the biliary ducts 

 of the liver and lay the foundation for rot. Perhap's 

 salt may prevent this development of the entoza in the 

 stomachs of sheep, as it is well known they do not be- 

 come rotten on salt marshes. 



Turpentine is of value in leading to the expulsion of 

 flukes, and is one of our most valuable anthelmintics. 



The following report was also read from Professor 

 Simonds :— • 



I have to report that in consequeuce of an application made 

 to the Society by Mr. H. Leeds, of Slibbington, Northampton- 

 shire, I vsited hi3 farm on the 22ud iilt., for the purpose of 

 inveitigating; a disease existing among his cattle. I ascertained 

 that siuce Michaelmas last he bad lost eight auimals out of a 

 small herd, and that he had hoped the malady had disappeared 

 until a few days before his application, when a fresh case 

 03Ctirred. An examination of the animal iu question satisfied 

 me that it was the subject of au attack of pleuro-pneumonia, to 

 which disease I have no doubt the other cattle had succumbed. 

 There being no chance of recovery iu this case, 1 had the 

 aaimal slaughtered, with a double view of pointing out the 

 nature of the affection to Mr. Leeds, and removing a source of 

 danger to his other cattle by a spreading of the contagion. 

 The post-mortem examination fully justified this step, as one 

 lung was found to be so extensively diseased that it vpas com- 

 pletely destroyed as an scrifying organ. The outbreak in this 

 instance is clearly traceable to the bringing into the premises 

 some newly purchased animals. At about Michaelmas last, 

 Mr. Leeds'bought four young shorthorns, and very shortly 

 afterwards one of them sickened and died. This was soon 

 followed by the deaths of two more of the same lot, and then 

 by the death of a ten months' old calf which he had bred. 

 Besides this calf, four others have been carried off from the 

 same disease, which with one killed for my examination make 

 nine victims in the whole, being every one which as yet have 

 been affected. I made a careful examination of all the other 

 cattle which had been exposed to the contagion, and gave spe- 

 cial instructions with reference to their management, so as to 

 avoid as much as possible the bringing of secondary causes of 

 the disease into operation. With the same view, I also 

 directed that medical means should be at once taken to purge 

 the system of the deleterious matter which had probably been 

 received into the organism, and subsequently to lay the foun- 

 dation for a supply of pure and healthy blood. Past experi- 

 ence, in numerous instances, would lead me to hope that the 

 rigid observance of the rules laid down for the treatment of 

 these animals will be attended with marked success in arrest- 

 ing the spread of the malady. The result, however, be what 

 it may, will in due time be reported to the Council. 



The report of the Consulting Chemist to the Society 

 is as follows ;— 



Report. 



During the past year, aa usual, a large number of analyses 

 of soils, guanos, marls, artificial manures, waters, oilcakes, and 

 other feeding stuffs, have been made in my laboratory for 

 members of the society. In many instances the analyses and 

 reports supplied to members of the Royal Agricultural Society 

 at a very moderate cost have afforded useful guides in the 

 selection of the best articles of food and fertilizing materials. 

 At the same time they have acted beneficially in checking dis- 

 honesty on the part of dealers in manures and feeding sub- 

 stances. It is gratifying to me to be able to report that 

 only a few adulterated Peruvian guanos were brought under 

 my notice during the past season, and that on the whole in- 

 ferior artificial manures do no longer find the ready sale with 

 which such manures were disposed of a few years ago. Indeed, 

 downright bad manures are now quite the exception. Still, 

 occasionally, fertilizers are sold at prices which bear no relation 



