1 42 Annual Eeport. 



The pollution of our rivers by sewage not only entails a waste 

 of fertilizing matter, but likewise disseminates the germs of 

 disease along their banks. 



Whether the sewage of towns can be profitably applied to the 

 land or not, is a question to which a general answer cannot be 

 given ; for much depends on local circumstances, such as the posi- 

 tion and chemical character of the land, &c. It is clear, however, 

 to my own mind that the sewage of towns must not be allowed to 

 find its Avay into our rivers, and that the soil is its natural and 

 most effectual deodorizer. 



The streams in the neighbourhood of lead and copper mines 

 often contain in suspension fine particles of ores, and by their over- 

 flow cause serious mischief to the land by the deposit of metali- 

 ferous mud. An instance of great injury caused to horses and 

 cattle by the sediment of a stream in a mining district was brought 

 under my notice some time ago. On examining this sediment 

 I found in it not only lead, but likewise a considerable quantity 

 of copper and arsenic. 



Whilst speaking of accidental poisoning, I may say that two 

 cases of lambs poisoned by wheat steeped in arscnious acid were 

 the subject of examination in the past season. 



A good many suspected poisoning cases were referred to me, 

 but with the exception just named, in no instance could poison 

 be detected. 



It is worthy of notice that most of my correspondents attributed 

 the cause of the loss of their live stock to the linseed and cotton 

 cake which they used. In the last twelve months a considerable 

 number of feeding-cakes have been sent me by members of the 

 Society, and my attention has been especially called to an un- 

 usually large mortality in lambs, in certain districts. Many cakes 

 were found to be largely adulterated with cheap refuse, such as 

 rice-dust, pollard, oat-dust, and other mill-refuse. But w^hilst it 

 is quite possible that in some cases the suspected cakes may 

 have really done mischief, I am bound to say that in most cases 

 the mortality alluded to could not be referred to the bad condition 

 or poisonous character of the cake upon which the lambs were 

 fed. 



At the same time, the experience of the past year has greatly 

 strengthened the opinion which I expressed some time ago, 

 namely, that stale and mould?/ cakes frequently act as rank 

 poisons, even w^hen given to stock in moderate quantities. 



On the subject of the effects of mould or fungi in cakes, corn, 

 and feeding materials generally, we have as yet but very little 

 precise information. As this is a subject admitting of positive 

 experimental proof, I venture to recommend it to the considera- 

 tion of the Veterinary Committee. 



