PATHOLOGY. 307 



togamic character of wliicli we know the nature appear to be 

 highly contagious and communicable ; this has not been proved 

 to obtain in bursattce, though experiments on the point have 

 not been wanting. 



We have ourselves seen evidence of the presence of these 

 low vegetable growths in kunkur ; but before we can give in 

 oiu' unqualified adhesion to any theory yet promulgated, many 

 more of the phenomena concerned in the disease-production 

 must be made clear. 



There have been attempts to identify its nature with scrofula 

 and farcy; but we fail to recognise the special features of 

 either, so will leave this part of the subject, submitting the 

 foregoing to the consideration of the reader, in hope that before 

 long observation will have overcome those difficulties which 

 are met with in speaking of the condition. 



The study of the aetiology of the disease is so inseparable 

 from that of its nature, that to a large extent the same 

 obscurity enshrouds them both. In its propagation, flies have 

 by several writers been credited with [playing an important 

 part ; but we fail to detect any positive evidence in the de- 

 ductions presented to us. In favour of this view, it has been 

 argued that the disease appears only in seasons and situations 

 where flies are most plentiful; also that the apphcation to 

 wounds of certain materials distasteful to flies is a means of 

 preventing their assuming a bursattic character. As ordinary 

 irritants affecting certain constitutions, we can understand 

 flies being exciting objects, and thus providing wounds in 

 which the peculiar alterations of the disease are manifested ; 

 but this special manifestation, we presume, depends on some- 

 thing more than mere ordinary mitations. Should, however, 

 the cryptogamic nature of the disease be proved, we must ad- 

 mit the importance which the diptera may assume in convey- 

 ing it from diseased to healthy. 



It has also been advanced that water is a fruitful dissemi- 

 nator of the disease, from the fact that certain well-water, 

 examined microscopically, contained materials of the same 

 character as that found in bursattee tumours, cells, fungi, etc., as 

 well as from the increase of the tumours in the rainy season. 



It appears to us that, at this stage of our knowledge, neither 

 of these are qualified to maintain the whole responsibility of 



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