SMALL-POX. 381 



ciallj the continental portion, where it may be said to be 

 never absent. In France and Italy it occurs frequently, 

 and causes much loss and destruction. England was 

 visited with it in 184T, when it was communicated to a 

 flock at Datchett, and another at Pinnar, by some Merinoes 

 from Spain. In 1862 it again occurred, but this time 

 very suddenly, and in a very severe form among the 

 flocks of Wiltshire; for which re-appearance neither in- 

 fection nor traceable contagion could be assigned as the 

 cause. The light shed upon it would appear to be an 

 instance of origination anew of a more malignant type of 

 variola ovina. Such is, in fact, assigned to this disease 

 m Africa, it being well established that certain inju- 

 rious atmospheric influences produce skin diseases and 

 facilitate the appearance of pustular eruptions. From 

 the nature of the disease in its being produced both by 

 atmospheric causes and contagion, it soon assumes an epi- 

 zootic form, and causes more destruction than any other 

 malady aff'ecting this useful animal. Out of a flock of 

 1720, ninety-two were attacked in a natural way, of which 

 fifty per cent. died. Of eight hundred inoculated cases, 

 only thirty-six per cent. died. The mortality from this 

 disease is never less than twenty-five per cent, and not 

 unfrequently whole flocks have been swept away, death 

 taking place in the early stages of the eruption, and others 

 in suppurative and ulcerative stages. 



Si/mptoms.—Thej may be mapped out as follows: 

 The animal is seized with a shivering fit, succeeded by a 

 dull stupidity, which remains till death or recovery takes 

 place. On the second or third day pimples are seen on 

 the inside of the thighs and arm-pits, accompanied with 

 redness of the eyes, complete loss of appetite and other 



