KXPOSUUK OF A IIF.IFKU TO VARIDI.A. .57 



" Mr. Alderman Mnsgrovc : — I should like to see them, that I might 

 tell them to take care that no unwholesome food is allowed to be 

 introduced into, or sold in, the market ; and if any thing of the kind 

 were done, it would be my wish to punish the guilty parties." 



The determination of the city magistrates, and the 

 vigilance of their otHcers, did not entirely repress 

 these injurious transactions ; for now and then, sheep 

 which, by the number of the crusts on their faces 

 and other parts, gave ample proof that they were 

 severely affected with the small-pox, were sent to 

 Smithfield market. The check given was, however, a 

 salutary one, as, in the course of a few wrecks no dis- 

 eased animals could be seen, excepting those which 

 had passed all danger, and which were not hkely to be 

 productive of mischief to others. 



Experience having shewn the gi'eat susceptibility 

 of the ovine race to take variola by contact, and oxen 

 ha\ing such a free intercourse with infected sheep, 

 we resolved to test, by a direct experiment, the danger 

 incun'ed by the former ; and therefore made arrange- 

 ments with Mr. Statham, of Datchett, for exposing a 

 heifer on his farm to the contagion. Our thanks are 

 due to that gentleman, and also to Mr. J. T. Stroud, 

 of Windsor, for their kind assistance in this matter ; and 

 as the result of the experiment and other particulars 

 connected with it are so well explained by the commu- 

 nications which we received from them, we prefer the 

 insertion of these to any other mode of description. 



"Windsor, Sept. 29th, 1847. 

 " Dear Sir, — Mr. Statham has handed me your note of yesterday's 

 date, and requested me to give you the particulars relative to the 

 heifer, which, at your request, I sent to his farm, that she might be 

 placed with his diseased sheep. The heifer was put, on the 23d inst., 

 into the paddock where the worst cases are kept, and she has conti- 



I 



