308 



Diseases of Sheep. 



or less diseased. The liver is generally rotten and completely 

 destroyed. It is found to be filled with a sort of worm^ called 

 flukes ; and these animals sometimes extend to other parts of the 

 intestines. 



These flukes are by some considered the cause of the disease^ and 

 it has hence often been called the fluke." This is clearly an error. 

 The fluke is by some supposed to be generated by the corrupt state 

 of the liver, and rot is often unequivocally developed in animals 

 that have been killed in its early stages vv^ithout any appearance of 

 flukes. 1 have also observed that where rot is speedily fatal no flukes 

 have been discovered, though flukes have never been found unac- 

 companied by other symptoms of decided rot. Such, in few words, 

 are the general incidents of the disorder. But though the symp- 

 toms are well known, and the seat of the complaint ascertained 

 with precision, the cause of it remains a matter of much dispute. It 

 differs greatly from hepatic affection in the human subject in the 

 rapidity of its attack. The approach of liver complaint in man is 

 usually gradual, it often being the result of intemperate habits early 

 formed and long indulged ; but in sheep the derangement of the 

 organ appears to be affected by indulgence almost momentary. I 

 recollect a case that occurred in Devonshire, where an action was 

 brought by a farmer on the warranty of some sheep that died of 

 the rot very speedily after his purchase. It was proved, however, 

 that though the whole lot died but one, that one which had 

 remained untainted, had wounded its leg on its journey home, 

 and was carried by the farmer in his cart, while the rest were 

 allowed to graze on a common over which they were passing. 

 This was urged and received as conclusive evidence that the sheep 

 were sound at the time of purchase, and became diseased from the 

 accidental pasturage. Other cases very similar have often oc- 

 curred and been reported in various agricultural works on un- 

 doubted testimony. One case, indeed, exactly parallel to that 

 which I have mentioned above, except that it had not the confirm- 

 ation of evidence in a court of law, has often been quoted. It 

 was first given by Dr. Harrison, on the authority of Mr. Wright, 

 that a tired sheep, taken into the drover's cart while the rest of 

 the drove were feeding on the road-side, and afterwards turned 

 into the same pasture, escaped the rot, while all the others 

 were affected. A relative of mine, Mr. Batten, once exchanged 

 a ram with a neighbouring farmer in Devon, residing about 

 10 miles from him. The ram he parted with in a few days be- 

 came diseased in common with all the flock that he served, while 

 that which was received in exchange, and brought back in the 

 same cart, lived many years wholly untainted. 



So many are the proofs, that rot is produced by peculiarity of 

 soil, that it is not worth while to quote evidence to this effect ; but 



