THE DISEASES OF CATTLE. 319 



the ground is covered with snow. Dr. Graff informs us that the 

 general appearance of the infected districts is somewhat pecu- 

 liar. " The quality of the soil is, in general, of an inferior 

 description ; the growth of timber is not observed to be so lux- 

 uriant as in situations otherwise similar, but is scrubby, and 

 stunted in its perfect development ; in many instances, simulating 

 what, in the West, is denominated * barrens.' " 



Now it is possible that these barrens do not furnish 

 a sufl5cient amount of carbon (in the form of food) for the 

 metamorphosis of the tissues ; and if we take into considera- 

 tion that the animal receives, during the day, while in search 

 of this food, a large supply of oxygen, and at the same time 

 the waste of the body is increased by the extra labor required 

 to select sufficient nutriment, — it being scanty in such situa- 

 tions, — then it follows that this disproportion between the 

 quantity of carbon in the food, and that of oxygen absorbed 

 by the skin and lungs, must induce a diseased or abnormal 

 condition. The animal is sometimes fat, at others lean. Some 

 of the cows attacked with this disease were fat, and in apparent 

 health, and nothing peculiar was observed until immediately 

 preceding the outbreak of the fatal symptoms. The presence 

 of fat is generally proof positive of an abnormal state ; and, in 

 such cases, the liver or spleen is often diseased ; the blood then 

 becomes loaded with fat and oil, and is finally deposited in the 

 cellular tissues. The reader will now understand how an 

 animal accumulates fat, notwithstanding it be furnished with 

 insufficient diet. All that I wish to contend for is, that in such 

 cases vital resistance is compromised. We are told that, in 

 the situation alluded to, vegetation was stunted, &c. ; and 

 knowing that vegetables are composed of nearly the same 

 materials which constitute animal organization, — the carbon 

 or fat of the former being deposited in the seeds and fruits, 

 and that of the latter in the cellular structure, — then we can 

 arrive at but one conclusion ; viz., that any location unfavor- 

 able to vegetation, is likewise ill adapted to preserve the integ- 

 rity of animal life. 



In connection with this, it must be remembered that, during 



