148 DISEASES OF SILKWORMS. 
distemper is of a very contagious nature, and, con- 
sequently, as soon as it is perceived that a worm 
has been attacked by the disease, it is immediately 
remoyed from among others. An effectual preven- 
tive, invented by Abbé Eperic of Carpentras, has 
been in use for upwards of twenty years past. 
Quick lime is reduced to a fine powder, and the 
worms are dusted with it, and they are then 
supplied with mulberry leaves moistened with a 
few drops of wine, which they greedily devour. 
It has been found that all which are subjected to 
this treatment escape the malady. It would appear 
that the disease has its origin in mephitic vapours, 
arising from decayed leaves, and that the lime, 
which has a strong affinity for these gases, may 
absorb the vapour, and thus render the apartment 
healthy and pure; which is most. satisfactorily 
proved by the experiments of Mons. Blanchard, 
which we shall give in his own words. He says, 
“ Having procured four glass jars, nine inches in 
depth and five in diameter, and had cork stoppers 
fitted to them. In each of these I put twelve silk- 
worms at the period of their second age ; and these 
I had fed four times a-day, and confined them in 
this kind of prison during their lives, and never 
either removed their dead companions or the litter 
produced by them. I sprinkled the worms which 
were contained in two of these jars with lime, and 
kept the other two in their ordinary state to com- 
