CONTAGIOUS DISEASES OF DOMESTICATED ANIMALS. 61 



10S5 there was disease in plants, and also in animals, throughout the 

 world." (An. PI., I, p. 03.) 



In 10S9-'91, on the Continent, " in these years many men were killed 

 by the ir/nis ,sace?- (ergotism or gangrenous erysipelas), wliicli destroyed 

 their vitals, putrified their flesh, and blackened their limbs like to 

 charcoal. Even if their lives were jjreserved their extremities were so 

 affected that they were only reserved for a most pitiable existence." 

 This epidemy is mentioned by several ancient chroniclers. Animals 

 suffered as well as the human species. (An. PL, I, p. 64.) 



In 1099 gangrenous erysipelas (ergotism?) in Fi-ance in the human 

 species. From the severity of the epidemy, we maj' infer that animals 

 also suffered. There were great inundations in England by the sea and 

 by the rivers, whereby people, cattle, and whole towns were drowned. 

 (An. PI., I, p. 65.) 



In 1127 the "divine plague" (ergotism?) appeared in mankind in 

 France. Prayers to the Virgin Mary healed the afflicted, it is recorded. 

 Great pestilence among animals. 



In 1213 gangrenous erysipelas {feu sacre) in mankind in France and 

 Spain. 



Neitlier was the scarcity limited to the fruits of the earth, nor disease to the huinau 

 species, for birds, cattle, and sheep became sterile, aud bronght forth no young, and 

 many riding and other horses perished for hxck of straw aud barley. (An. PL, 1, 

 p. 71.) 



In 1598, after inundations and heavy fogs, there was a general epi- 

 zo'uty among cattle in Germany. In the same year there appeared er- 

 gotism in the human si)ecies. (An. PI., I, p. 138.) 



lu 1094 an eruption of Mount Vesuvius. A supposed epidemy and 

 epizoiity of ergotism. Brunner writes : 



Bv what unfortunate combination of circumstances, for so many years, the whole 

 of nature seemed to labor under an unhealthy atmosphere remains a secret. Many 

 men, and those most learned, have written on the state of the air, and I have been a 

 spectator of most grievous calamities; for not only did unwonted fevers attack and 

 kill the human race, and would submit to no remedies, but also the beasts were har- 

 rassed by deadly dise-ases. I know that sheep, cattle, pigs, horses, and geese were 

 not free from the contagion. There was also a lack of corn, not only on account of 

 the inordinate consumption of it by the soldiers, but also from the character of the 

 ground. Some of the corn was so plainly diseased that it was dangerous for man to 

 eat of it. I know also that pease, which formed a great part of the food of the army, 

 were infested and diseased by a small insect, which made a minute hole in then). I 

 never renu'mber seeing such an abundant crop of darnel (tares) mixed with theoat.^, 

 and which prevented the making of good oat meal, our chief food, for it was needless 

 to attempt to labor on it, it was so bad. All grain disappeared, and in its place small, 

 black, lunn-shaped masses became apparent, which were highly injurious toman- 

 kind. These were named "St. Martin's corn." A woman was shown to me by a sur- 

 gecm who suffered from convulsions every eleventh day, solely from eating this corrupt 

 grain, and the same surgeon told me he had amputated a leg mortified from the same 

 cau.se. (An, PI., I, pp. lG(i-l«J7.) 



In 1721 the winter was mild, but the sjuiug tiuiecold ami daiiii), and 

 the remainder of the year wet. Locusts in France and the whole of 



