148 
Tlie Rot in Sheep. 
be in different stages of tlio malady. I nrefcn-ed onc-ycnr-old sheep as oftcring 
.most of these advantaj;es, and for the further reason that an approximation 
couhl he made as to the time tliey had been tlie subjects of the malady. 
Everything being arranged, the experiment was commenced on April 22, 186], 
the first thing done being to divide the sheep into two parts, leaving one moiety 
at the Eoyal Veterinary College and sending the other to n)y iarm, Oakington, 
in the parish of Harrow. This was deemed important, as each division would 
be placed under totally different circumstances, especially as to tlie kind of 
food which would be supplied to the animals, and tlie protection which would 
be alVorded them from ordinary atmospherical changes. 
" The sheep left at the College were kept entirely on hay and oats, housed 
every night in a shed, but allowed the use of a small enclosure during the day. 
Those sent to Oakington were, on the contrary, placed in a meadow, and had 
an abundant supply of grass, but no corn ; nor were they protected of a night, 
save when the weather was wet. 
" I further determined to give the medicine to three sheep only of each lot, 
leaving the otliers entirely to their chance. In doing this I selected the appa- 
rently strongest sheep for taking the medicine. 
" The directions received from France for the use of the agent were that 
a tablespoouful should be given to each sheep every morning, half an hour 
before feeding-time, and be continued from fifteen to twenty days to animals 
in the early stages of the disease, and from thirty to forty days to those in the 
advanced or latter stages ; or even for a longer time in very severe cases. It 
•was further ordered that, as soon as the animals had gained their appetite 
and strength, whatever other indications of the disease might still exist, 
no more medicine should be given, as these were signs of convalescence — 
proper care as to feeding and management sufficing to complete the cure. 
Under the influence of regimen, care, and exhibition of the medicine, it was 
also stated that a cure would be effected in a month or six weeks of the sheep 
in the early stages of the disease, and in about three months of those in the 
advanced stages. The recoveries were said to be all in tlie first, and two-thirds 
in the latter stages. 
" The exhibition of the medicine for the first fortnight appeared in neither 
lot to have any marked effect, the animals, with one excejition, continuing 
in their original condition. In the exceptional case alluded to, and which 
was one of the sheej) taking the medicine at the College, the disease was 
evidently fast gaining ground, foretelling a fatal result. 
"On the twenty-first day from the commencement of the experiment this 
animal died, and on being examined j50s< mortem numerous flukes were found 
in the liver. The organ was pale in colour and had undergone the structiu'al 
changes commonly met with in rot. Effusion of serum had also taken place 
into the abdominal cavity, and the entire carcass of the animal was flaccid and 
paler in colour than is natural from general anamiia, thus proving the true 
nature of the malady. 
" Under these circumstances I resolved to give the medicine to one of the 
three animals which uj) to now had not taken any, as the trial did not appear 
quite satisfectory, death having resulted so soon in the case alluded to. 
" Continuing the report of the College sheep, it is next to be observed that 
the remedy was continued to the middle of June, and this, not only without 
any apparent benefit, but seemingly with some disadvantage, as each of the 
three sheep taking the medicine was more emaciated than either of the 
other two. 
" This untoward circumstance evidently depended on the nauseating effects 
of the medicine, as the animals would often refuse their food for some hours 
after its exhibition, and sometimes even to the latter part of the day. 
" It may be here remarked that the medicine apparently contained some 
