Splenic Apoplexy at Coldham Hall. 
443 
system " is pursued, both in reference to the stock and the 
pastures on Avhich they feed. 
Outbreaks of splenic apoplexy among cattle and sheep, and 
occasionally even amon<j pigs and horses, have occurred on soils 
which are quite dissimilar in character; as the clays of the lias 
formation, the red sandstone, the chalk, and also on peats and 
alluvial deposits of the Fen districts. In all these positions, 
however, the general conditions under which the disease is deve- 
loped are remarkably uniform. The pastures are undrained, or 
drained only by means of open dykes, and the grass is never mown, 
but always fed off by animals, which are liberally supplied, as a 
rule, with highly stimulating food. By this arrangement the land 
is made to caiTy a much larger number of manure-producing 
animals than it could otherwise support. Additional manure is 
also employed in the form of top-dressing from the farmyard. 
There is ample evidence that a long continuance of this system 
results in the production of an unwholesome condition of the 
soil and herbage. 
Certain cases of splenic apoplexy have been traced to the use 
of water contaminated with organic impurities ; other instances 
have apparently been due to the consumption of stimulating 
food and entire abstinence from water ; but the majority of cases 
may be fairly referred to the influence of " contaminated soils." 
It is impossible in this report to enter fully into the pathology of 
the disease, but it may be stated briefly that " splenic apoplexy " 
is one form of that morbid condition which is generally described 
as " blood poisoning," in which the blood becomes charged Avith 
effete products, and death results from the depressing effects of 
this impure fluid upon the brain and nervous centres. Con- 
gestion of the spleen is a very common lesion, but it is by no 
means an invariable result of the diseased state of the blood ; on 
the contrary, in some of the most virulent forms of the malady 
which have been brought under my notice in Ireland and the 
Isle of Man, and also in this country, the spleen was not impli- 
cated. The membranes of the brain and spinal column always 
show indications of disease, and there is no doubt that the sudden 
fatality which marks the affection is due to suspension of nervous 
function. Microscopic examination of the blood has always 
resulted in the detection of numerous bacteria and vibriones, 
organisms that are constantly present in fluids which contain 
organic matter undergoing decomposition. 
At Coldham Hall (Mr. John Brown's farm), and on Mr. 
Little's farm adjoining, the conditions under which " blood 
diseases " are induced are in existence. The soil is alluvial ; the 
water is stagnant, and contains an excess of organic and mineral 
matters ; the pastures are never mown, are well manured, and 
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