250 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



After the most careful and patient investigation, our best 

 veterinarians still declare that these diseases can be more easily 

 prevented than cured; that the disease does not show itself for 

 many days after it has been contracted. If a.ny thing is to be 

 done, it must be done quickly. On the continent, the most 

 extreme measures are at once resorted to. When one beast is 

 seized they immediately destroy the whole herd with which he 

 has been going. 



Mr. Meigs — This disease is a malignant influenza epidemic, 

 long known, but with some characteristics different from its 

 ancient form. It raged on the continent of Europe from 1710 to 

 1746. The best work on the subject is that by Mons. Sauvage, 

 a celebrated professor of medicine, at Montpelier. Murrain 

 was extremely fatal in England in 1757, and excellent account 

 of it was published by Dr. Layard, of London. 



In England, this disease appeared as an extremely malignant, 

 inflammatory cedeina, (tumor), attacking, and indeed, confining 

 itself, for the most part, to one of the hind-quarters of the animal. 

 It is most common in spring and autnmn, and principally affects 

 young cows. The most general and prominent features of it are 

 tumefaction, (swelling), and a discoloring of the side affected, 

 with consequent lameness and inability to move. A peculiar 

 emphysema (inflation), of different parts of the body, particularly 

 over the region of the spine, and all the symptoms of putrid 

 fever in typhoid cases. It speedily runs on to gangrene, (loss of 

 vitality,) and few animals survive an attack more than ten to 

 twelve hours. It is generally deemed incurable; if it is done at 

 all, it is by means of extensively scarifying (cupping) or incisions 

 of the affected parts, and by fomentation and purgation. 



The best of all preventives is warm and sheltered places, rest 

 and quiet, free circulation of air, daily fumigation with chlorine 

 or chloride of lime. Examine the cattle daily, and if one is 

 attacked remove it immediately- 



SILK. 



We extract the following from the excellent Journal of the 

 Society of Arts and of the Institutions in Union, 1857 : London. 



From r. Bashford, of Surdah, East Indies, who has devoted 

 himself for nearly twenty years to silk-reeling, in Bengal. The 



