OF THE OX. 183 



contact with tainted flesh, when the epidermis 

 or scarf-skin is cracked or peeled off, or when 

 the least open sore exists, may give access to 

 the disease, and produce death, both in man 

 and other animals. In these cases, the absorbed 

 virus operates, not as a specific agent, giving 

 birth to typhus, but as a provocative septic 

 agent, endowed with infectious properties, 

 which infuse into the economy a germ of 

 virulent and mortal disease. So long as a 

 sound and intact outer skin stands as a safe- 

 guard between us and absorption, we may 

 fearlessly touch and handle the tainted flesh of 

 these animals. But the slightest sore or abra- 

 sion is an open door to let in death. A young 

 veterinary surgeon, who had a slight wound in 

 one of his arms, was carried off within forty- 

 eight hours, as was proved at a coroner's 

 inquest, after he had dissected an ox which had 

 died of the typhus.* 



* Another instance of the fatal effects of the terrible 

 disease now ravaging our flocks and herds of cattle, and 

 resulting in the death of a veterinary surgeon, has just 

 occurred in the town of Sudbury, Suffolk. 



Last week the epidemic made its appearance in the 

 stock- yard of Mr. Ruffell, farmer, Melford, and the cases 

 were attended by Mr. Robert John Plumbly, veterinary 



