SMAIiL-POX. 335 



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 1847, 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 infection nor 

 traceable contagion could be assigned as the cause. The 

 light shed upon it makes it appear to be an instance of 

 the origination of a more malignant type of variola ovina. 

 Such is, in fact, assigned to this disease in Africa, it being 

 well established that certain injurious atmospheric influ- 

 ences 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 conta- 

 gion, it soon assumes an epizootic form, and causes more 

 destruction than any other malady afiecting 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. 



Symptoms. These may be mapped out as follows : The 

 animal is seized with a shivering fit, succeeded by 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 symptoms which are 

 common to other diseases of the same animal. 



