562 Rejwrt on the Health of Animals of the Farm. 



fluid, while others were filled with a pale-yellow, pus-like matter of various 

 deforces of consistence. The tumours in connection with the joints were 

 associated with a distended condition of the joint-capsules. Others, which 

 were situated beneath the fibrous coverings of the muscles of the extremities 

 and between the muscles of the belly, consisted of thin, fibrous cysts, filled 

 with a similar material. Most of the lymphatic glands were either ha3nior- 

 rhagic or reduced to a soft, cheesy mass. Some were larger than 

 natural. The abdominal cavity contained a greater or less amount of turbid 

 serum, mingled with small fragments of soft lymph ; the peritoneum was 

 inflamed in patches, and also covered with thin flakes of inflammatory pro- 

 ducts. The liver was spotted over with various-sized masses of cheese-like 

 matter of a whitish colour. On section similar deposits were also noticed in 

 its substance. The gall-bladder was full of thin bile of a greenish-yellow 

 hue. The ahmentary canal gave no evidence of disease. The contents of the 

 chest were free from structural change ; but the lungs of all were of a very pallid 

 hue. The result of my examination of the organs of the chest was in accord- 

 ance with that of the shepherd, who had made many ijost-mortem examina- 

 tions, and said the lungs were sound in every instance. In those cases where 

 enlargement of the throat existed, the lymphatic glands appeared to be pri- 

 marily affected. 



From the history of the outbreak of this disease, together with the symptoms 

 presented during its progress, and the lesions observed after death, it is evident 

 that the cause, whatever its precise 'nature might be, originated in the system 

 of the ewes. Attention was, therefore, directed to their condition and general 

 management. I learned that, for eighteen years at the least (how much 

 longer could not be ascertained), the ewes had been in-and-in-bred, and 

 that no fresh blood, save occasionally on the male side, had been introduced 

 into the flock during that period. The condition of the ewes was by no means 

 good, and they presented a dwarfed aspect ; but, nevertheless, appeared free 

 from any positive disease. With regard to their general management it was 

 ascertained that, from the first week in November to the second week in 

 January — at which time they commenced to lamb — their food consisted of 

 turnips, with a small quantity of hay, chaff, and malt-dust. After this time 

 they were pastured on park-land, and received, in addition, a liberal supply 

 of turnips. It may here be observed that the turnips were not only much 

 grown, but many of them were also very much decayed, and in a state 

 totally unfit for food for sheep. The disease appeared in the flock about 

 the second week in February, and continued to increase in extent and severity 

 up to the time of my visit. 



A careful consideration of the foregoing facts suggests the following deductions, 

 viz. : — First. That the long-continued use of one family of ewes through 

 successive generations had established in this flock a serious constitutional 

 weakness. 



Second. That the watery and decayed condition of the turnips upon which 

 the ewes were fed had had the effect of impairing the health and vigour of the 

 lambs, by diminishing the nutritive properties of the milk of the ewes, and 

 otherwise altering its qualities. It may, however, be remarked that, from the 

 time of their birth, the lambs were carefully protected from wet and draught. 



With reference to treatment, it was suggested that all turnips should be 

 withheld from the ewes, and that grass, with a liberal supply of crushed 

 oats, cake, hay-chaff, and bran, should be allowed in their stead, and that 

 alternate doses of tonics and salt should be administered daily in the food. 



The following is a copy of a letter from Mr. Smith's agent, which was 

 received by me on the 15th of March, nine days after my visit. It is 

 satisfactory to observe, from his statement, that immediate beneficial effect 

 followed upon the treatment suggested. 



