32 



Extensive outbreaks occur annually on the Continent, wTiicli are 

 more or less aggravated by the trade carried on, and the calls 

 for extensive movement of stock towards the ports of embar- 

 kation. Eussia, Prussia, and Austria probably suffer most ; 

 Greece is seldom free; and Grermany, Hanover, and Saxony have 

 occasionally suffered ; while Holland, Friesland, Belgium, and 

 particularly France, in consequence of large importations annu- 

 ally made," have become powerful centres of the malady. In 

 Eussia it is said to be stationary, and travelling westwards to 

 Holland we have received it from thence. 



" Small-pox has proved fatal in sheep to the extent of 20 to 

 40 per cent, in France, while in England the mortality amounted 

 to 50 per cent. ; and this may be looked for under conditions 

 whicli characterize epizootic affections when introduced to the 

 stock of a clean Country far removed from the home of their 



birth. 



" We have but imperfect records in reference to this malady, 

 but from what has transpired we may not be unreasonable in 

 believing that small-pox had visited this Country before the 

 memory of the present generation. Since 1567, w^hen first 

 accounts were written, outbreaks of more or less intensity have 

 occurred over the Continent, from which scarcely a nation has 

 not at some time or other suffered very acutely. Spain and 

 Portugal have had cause to regret that Africa offered sucb 

 facilities by its close proximity, as diseased sheep have readily 

 passed thence by the Straits of Gribraltar and spread dismay 

 around." 



2. — Natiiee. 



"A malignant and specific variolous fever peculiar to sheep, 

 and occurring but once as a rule in the life-time of the individual. 

 It is rarely communicated to other animals, but when it does 

 occur in them, its characteristics are those of mildness and 

 evanescence. 



" Sheep-pox spreads rapidly by contagion and infection, and 

 from frequent observation it has been decided that a healthy flock 

 is not secure from attack at a distance of 500 yards from affected 

 animals. Like the poison of cattle plague, that of small-pox may 

 be carried in the clothes of persons, in fodder, in the skins of 

 other sheep and animals, in hair and wool, &c. Dogs, vermin, 

 and game also become carriers of the contagion. In pastures, 

 stables, railway trucks, in fact wherever diseased^ sheep are 

 allowed to go, the virus is left behind and communicated to all 



that follow. 



" Where it is the practice to house tbe sheep, a heavy mortality 

 occurs, which increases in proportion to the amount of overcrowd- 



