200 



DISEASES OF SHEEP. 



or attended by the fasciolce hepaticcB (fluke worms), hy- 

 datides, &c., which affections of the liver are not un- 

 frequent. But the most common rot is still another 

 and very distinct disorder, resembling, in many points, 

 and probably the very same in its nature with, scorbutus 

 (scurvy) in the human species, or that miseranda lues, 

 that direful ruin of the general health and constitution, 

 which silently supervenes from deficient or depraved 

 aliment ; and from which, as numerous observations 

 testify, every flock, every sufferer, may be recovered 

 by simple means seasonably used ; but against which, 

 in its advanced stage, all remedies prove of no avail. 

 Perhaps, as the last symptoms of debility are very- 

 similar, and are most taken notice of by ordinary ob- 

 servers, the different kinds of rot might conveniently 

 enough pass under the names of pulmonic, hepatic, and 

 general rot." 



Setting aside, for the moment, the inaccuracy of part 

 of the above observations, I shall only remark, that, 

 though Dr Coventry, in thus calling attention to the 

 conflicting state of opinions on the subject, has accom- 

 plished much in reconciling discrepancies, he has still 

 left something to be done in simplifying the matter ; 

 while he has, at the same time, rendered that something 

 difficult of execution, from his own high authority being 

 associated with the blunder. The only way, therefore, 

 to remedy the thing, is to quit for the present the views 

 of that learned gentleman, while I endeavour to give 

 a plain account of the disease, its causes, and effects. 



(IGO.) Symptoms of Rot. The first thing which 

 indicates the presence of the disease, is the unwilling 

 ness of the affected animal to move about. It lagi 



