376 THE COMPLETE SHOT 



they do not recover in the spring. The writer's suggestion 

 is, therefore, that when the bacillus is carried from grouse to 

 grouse it may be weakened, but that in spring it is not originated 

 in the grouse, but in some creature unknown, and possibly a 

 migrant bird of the bunting, hammer, or finch families. The 

 importance of finding this out, and testing the attenuation 

 theory more thoroughly in live grouse, is obvious, for if it is 

 true that the blood of successive grouse gradually weakens the 

 bacilli or their virus, then it is clear that the safety of grouse 

 will be the constant presence of some few diseased grouse on 

 the moor. 



The author only dwells on this aspect because it is not 

 receiving as much attention as some others, which are constantly 

 being discussed, and are therefore less necessary to mention. 



At present thought is mostly in the contrary direction. 

 But it is to be hoped and believed that the Commissioners 

 will investigate every possible view from a scientific standpoint, 

 and more important still, from a practical one. For instance, 

 if on a disease affected moor grouse can be kept in health 

 in a pen of midge-proof netting, we shall hardly need to know 

 where the midge gets his poison, but shall be exceedingly 

 likely to dry up his breeding-places and exterminate him as 

 nearly as may be. 



