"GROUSE DISEASE" 193 



Again, in Adam's " Reminiscences " we find : " Disease in this attack 

 (Dalnawillan, 1882) was very different in its aspects from former attacks. It 

 came on very suddenly, sharp and decisive ; but on this occasion I have no 

 doubt but that it had been hanging about all through 1881, and also in the 

 spring and summer of 1882, steadily wearing away the birds bit by bit." 

 The distinction is markedly contrasted by Adams in his book, and the 

 incidence in each case is well described. 



Tom Speedy in "Sport in the Highlands and Lowlands of Scotland" writes : 

 "The epidemic assumed two different forms. In some cases the birds were 

 draggled, wasted, and emaciated, bare about the legs, and indicating ... a long 

 continued or fatal disease. At a more advanced period of the season they were 

 found dead in beautiful plumage, with fine feathery legs ; and the red above 

 their eyes unsullied and as bright as vermilion. In many cases they were seen 

 the one day seemingly in perfect health, and the next day stiff and cold in 

 excellent condition." ' 



Enough has now been quoted to show that in the minds of many observers 

 there has been for years the suspicion that the differences observed were not 

 merely two phases of one form of sickness, but two distinct diseases. And 

 it was on this assumption that the Committee at first commenced their 

 investigation. 



The widespread idea that tapeworms are at the root of one form of trouble 

 is perhaps natural, considering that it is common knowledge that in some 

 animals they are the cause of serious wasting. Moreover, the very Tapeworms 

 first thing that appears when a Grouse is opened up, whether purposely cau'se'of 

 or accidentally, is a mass of large white tapeworms. What could be 

 more natural, since the bird is wasted to skin and bone, and tapeworms are found 

 in large numbers, than to consider the one to be the cause of the other. But if 

 only threadworms were as conspicuous as tapeworms, outnumbering them as they 

 often do, to an almost incredible extent ; or if some distinction had been earlier 

 recognised between the main gut of the Grouse and its caecal appendices, 

 there would before now have been a strong following of Dr Cobbold, and the 

 pining form of disease would be more readily associated with the presence of 

 the smaller worm. 



The Committee's provisional belief in the existence of two distinct kinds of 



1 Adam, " Reminiscences," p. 75. 

 1 Op. tit., p. 185. 

 VOL. I. N 



