Organs of Respiration and Circulation. 



59? 



In 810, it is recorded that all the cattle in Charlemagne's 

 dominions, France, Italy, and Germany, were destroyed by one 

 of these pests, the nature of which can only be conjectured, for the 

 term ''murrain" seems to have been of general application, and 

 consequently its adoption throws but little light on the inquiry. 

 From this period to the revival of the arts and sciences, nothing 

 satisfactory can be learned respecting these epizootics ; but in the 

 sixteenth century we have detailed accounts of their progress and 

 devastating effects. According to Ramazini, in 1514, and again 

 in 1599, the Council of Venice forbade the use of beef and veal, 

 and even milk, on account of the diseased condition of the cattle. 

 The same author likewise states., that in 1691 sheep were swept off 

 by thousands — pustular eruptions covering their bodies, which he 

 unhesitatingly affirms were of the nature of small-pox. In 1693, 

 the cattle in Hesse fell victims to "pulmonary phthisis:" it may, 

 however, be reasonably doubted whether the disease was properly 

 named ; and it is probable that it was identical with the modern 

 pleuro-pneumonia. Both cattle and sheep in Lower Hungary 

 suffered severely at the commencement of the eighteenth century, 

 the former from an epizootic, which is undefined, and the latter 

 from small-pox : these maladies made their appearance early in 

 1712, and continued with great virulence throughout the year. 

 About the same period the cattle in England were likewise 

 attacked with a disease which bore a great resemblance to 

 eczema epizootica. 



During nine months in the year 1713, no less than 30,000 

 cattle are said to have died in Rome and its environs, of malig- 

 nant dysentery, accompanied with tumours and ulcers on various 

 parts of their bodies. And in 1730-31, Bohemia, Saxony, France, 

 &c.j experienced a heavy loss from the outbreak of a similar dis- 

 ease. In 1745, thousands of the cattle of Italy, France, Ger- 

 many, and England, again fell victims to one of these pests. The 

 malady seems to have been accompanied with many symptoms 

 akin to those of pleuro-pneumonia, and to have been equally 

 destructive. The lungs are described as its seat, and the post- 

 mortem appearances, as recorded by Dr. Barker, bear a strong 

 resemblance to those observed at the present day. Whether this 

 disease extended hither through the medium of a vitiated condi- 

 tion of the atmosphere, or owed its origin to a more direct intro- 

 duction, has not been satisfactorily proved. 



" Some authors assert that it was brought from Holland by certain 

 calves, imported into the neighbourhood of London by a farmer for the 

 purpose of crossing the breed ; while others state that the lucrative views 

 of an English tanner, who bought a parcel of distempered hides in Zea- 

 land which were forbidden to be sold, was the origin of the affection."* 



In a pamphlet written in 1745 by Dr. Barker, it is stated that 



* vSimonds on Variola Ovina. 

 VOL. X. 2 R 



