86 SMAI.L-POX IN SHKKP. 



It is difficult to speak positively with regard to the 

 number of deaths likely to take place in a flock from 

 the introduction of the natural ovine-pox ; for great 

 variations are observed in its malimiancv. We fear that 

 in the least destructive instances the mortality cannot be 

 estimated at less than 25 per cent. ; while in number- 

 less cases this is more than doubled. It appears by 

 Mr. Fielder's letter, that nearly half of his sheep which 

 were attacked, fell victims ; and M. Vitet says that 

 this is a frequent consequence. The deaths in Messrs. 

 Statham's and Weall's flocks may be put respectively 

 at 34 and 38 per cent. ; and w^e are informed that other 

 persons have lost considerably more than this propor- 

 tion. Mr. Mayer, in an article already quoted, re- 

 marks that " it is not unusual for nearly the whole 

 [flock] to be swept aw^ay." Sacco makes a similar 

 statement ; and Captain Carr observes, that in a ma- 

 lignant outbreak "the certain destruction of the greater 

 part of the flock may be anticipated :" and again, that 

 in a village contiguous to his estate, ' where contagion 

 was allowed to take its course, there w^as not, to the 

 best of his recollection, a single sheep left alive *.' To 

 these statements it is unnecessary to add more, as they 

 too plainly shew the devastating effects of the scourge. 

 In the preceding portion of this treatise, an account 

 is given of the morbid changes which were discovered 

 by an autopsy of three cases ; but we shall here 

 insert some further particulars with reference to the 

 lesions that result from the variolous poison being re- 

 ceived into the system, as we have latterly had several 

 opportunities of instituting other post-mortem exami- 



* Sheep-pox, p. G-9. 



