On a peculiar Disease in Ewes. 



117 



Report from Professor Sewell, on Mr. Bucldeys Account of a 

 Fatal Disease among his Ewes. 



It appears to be a chronic disease of the liver, produced by con- 

 tinued wet weather, and leaving the constitution so much debili- 

 tated, that the secretion of milk required to nourish the lamb as 

 its growth advances increases the debility until exhaustion ensues, 

 under which the animal sinks. 



An experienced veterinary surgeon might throw some light 

 upon the nature of the disease by treating a few cases, and re- 

 porting thereon ; and also describe the post mortem appearances. 



Both the depleting and stimulating treatment having failed, I 

 think mild tonics should have a trial. Dissolve half an ounce 

 of sulphate of iron* in a quart of hot water, and give half a 

 pint twice a-day. To check purging, give one ounce of finely- 

 powdered common chalk in half a pint of water daily, if required. 

 Keep under shelter, and give dry food, and a lump of rock-salt 

 to lick. Remove the lambs. 



A small proportion, four or five, might be sent before lambing 

 to the college. 



No similar disease has been reported from any other district. 



William Sewell, 

 Professor, Royal Veterinary College. 



3Iay ISth, 1840. 



XVII. — Experiments and Communicatioiis on the Application of 

 Nitrate of Soda as a Manure. By David Barclay, Esq. 



Our President having requested me to continue my inquiries 

 respecting cubic nitre, or nitrate of soda^ in its application to 

 agricultural purposes, and to communicate the results to our 

 society, I have much pleasure in complying with his request ; and 

 should have had much more if it had been in my power to dis- 

 cover the principle on which this manure acts, and thereby sup- 

 ply some tolerably certain guide for its application. My ex- 

 perience and inquiries during this year have, I think, on the 

 contrary, involved the subject in greater obscurity, inasmuch as 

 the results of its application in different places to the same object 

 of cultivation, and notwithstanding a great similarity of soil and 

 climate, have been very contradictory. 



I have received communications on this subject from the Earl 

 of Zetland ; from our President, Mr. Pusey; Mr. Walter Calvert; 

 Messrs. Drewitt, and Mr. Dewdney; the last three, in reply to 



Called green vitriol, or copperas. 



