THE HISTORY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 201 



" 6. That the cow-keepers be required to divide their cows into 

 small parcels, not more than ten or twelve in a field together ; and 

 that they be allowed such satisfaction for complying with these pro- 

 posals as your Excellencies shall think fit." * 



These suggestions were accepted and acted upon, forty shillings 

 per head being allowed for the sick cows killed by the authorities. 



" Some of the cow-keepers appeared not content with this ar- 

 rangement, and, believing that the disease would become general, 

 designed to have their cows sold at some distant market, which the 

 gentlemen having notice of, appointed several butchers to watch 

 near their grounds, and count their numbers every morning, with 

 orders to follow such as were sent to market, and to prevent their 

 being sold by telling the people what they were. 



" Another great obstacle at first was the cow-keepers not admit- 

 ting the disease until they had lost several cows, for, as soon as it 

 was known that any man had but one sick, no one would buy his 

 milk, and to those who kept many cows the loss was considerable. 



" jy or was iJi ere ever wanting one or other who gave them hopes 

 of cure. 



" It was endeavored to impress upon the cow-keepers that they 

 would receive remuneration for their losses : ' This had a pretty 

 good effect, hut here in England, where every man is at liberty to 

 disptose of his cattle as he pleases, nothing but making them sensible 

 that it was each marts particular interest to comply with these 

 methods, could do.'' " 



The entire loss by this invasion was estimated, including ex- 

 penses, at £31,174 Is. Id. 



In 1717, John Morley, of London, published a satirical poem of 

 this invasion, which may not be without interest : 



"As soon as Britain had sustained 

 That fatal loss which heaven had gained, 

 And parties squabbled to a madness 

 About their sorrows and their gladness, 

 A plague unprophesied succeeded, 

 That only reached the horny-headed, 

 And like a fatal rot or murrain 

 Turned all our bulls and cows to carrion. 



"The farriers now their skill employed, 

 But still the cows in number died, 

 And with their horns and hides together 

 Were burnt, without reserve of leather. 



* "Animal Plagues," p. 211. 



