STATE HYGIENE 595 



disease. The affection is not contagious, nor can it be repro- 

 duced by inoculation with any of the diseased fluids and 

 tissues. 



Local farmers blame a particular white tick as the cause 

 of the trouble, and this view was held by the late Professor 

 Williams. Our recent knowledge regarding tick infection 

 renders it possible, but in connection with this, there is 

 evidence to show that sheep on farms which are not tick 

 infected may suffer. 



The whole question of the pathology of the disease is 

 quite obscure, so that no method of prevention which is not 

 based on conjecture or guessing can be suggested. 



INFECTIOUS DIAREHCEA OF CALVES (WHITE SCOUR). 



This disease is one of the banes of the farmer, and is 

 widely spread over the three kingdoms. Through the 

 severe losses it occasioned in Ireland, where in places it was 

 impossible to rear a calf, the services of the lamented 

 M. Nocard were secured to investigate the nature of the 

 disease, with the result that considerable prominence has 

 of late been given to the affection, though not more than it 

 deserves. 



Nocard regarded the disease as a Pasteurellosis, and that 

 the organism gained entrance into the system mainly, if 

 not entirely, by the umbilicus ; this view has not been 

 accepted by McFadyean, who states that no organism has 

 yet been definitely associated with the disease, though 

 doubtless one exists, and he regards the channel of infection 

 as in all probability by the digestive canal.* The question 

 of the identity of the organism is not at present settled. 



The disease makes its appearance very soon after birth, 

 sometimes as early as a few hours, more commonly between 

 the second and third day, rarely later than the sixth. It is 

 attended by a very high mortality, sometimes all the 



* For a fuU account of this question, see communication by Professor 

 Mettam, B.Sc, M.E.C.V.S., to the National Veterinary Association, 

 1903. 



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