25G 
The Ajyplications of Physiology 
tact with other sheep, will produce the same disease in them. 
Mr. Rusbridger, the Duke of Richmond's agent in Sussex, states 
that foot-rot is communicated to sheep when they tramp upon 
any of the acrid matter left upon the ground by a diseased 
sheep.* 
These few considerations regarding the nature of the most 
common diseases in cattle may induce you to employ proper pre- 
ventive measures. As to curative agents, I am not a practitioner, 
and with these dare not interfere. It is only worthy of remark, 
that antiputrescent substances must act favourably. Thus, salt is 
a favourite remedy; and it is a fact well known, that rot never 
occurs In salt marshes. Whether practitioners might not advan- 
tageously use other antiseptic substances, such as the empyreu- 
niatic bodies, is a thing for them, not for me to determine. 
We have now, in this and in the preceding lecture, considered, 
in a very imperfect manner, the principal subjects connected with 
feeding cattle. But there is still a very important topic to dis- 
cuss, — viz. the recognised signs of fattening and of early matu- 
rity. I shall endeavour to offer a few remarks on this point. 
V. On considering this subject, it will be found that few data 
exist to enable us to arrive at accurate conclusions concerning the 
signs of early maturity. This arises from the little attention 
which has been paid to the anatomical structure of the organs of 
cattle of various breeds. The external signs enable the farmer 
to ari'ive at approximate conclusions regarding the aptitude of an 
animal to fatten. It was the duty of the comparative anatomist to 
avail himself of the farmer's knowledge, and describe to us the 
appearance of the internal organs of animals possessing this apti- 
tude. As far as I am aware, this has not been done. As our 
data are insufficient, we must be cautious in giving credence to 
the opinions expressed by any individual on such points, until his 
views receive more extended confirmation than they can at present 
do. With this preliminary caution regarding the views which I 
now submit to you, I may venture to make a few remarks, less 
with the intention of insisting upon the correctness of my opinions, 
than to incite you to make observations upon the subject, and 
either confirm or refute them. 
Let us first commence with the internal structure of the animal ; 
for the external form is only an indication of the action of the 
organs within. 
The considerations on the theory of fattening which have now 
been brought before you naturally lead to an inference in total 
opposition to all opinions at present entertained, and— you will, 
perhaps, think — in opposition to your own experience. Did I 
* Journal, vol. i. p. 319. 
