rnreftt!(jn{i(Oi>t in 1888 far the lioijnl Agricultiti'dl Soci'efij. 313 
lu the latter part of April tlie advice of the veterinary 
officers of the Society was requested in regard to an outbreak 
of a very fatal form of diarrhoea among calves on a farm in 
Sussex. The circumstances of the outbreak were remarkable, 
and an inquiry resulted in the discovery of several possible 
causes of the disease. 
Calves of a particular breed (Jerseys) suffered most. Those 
also from heifers were more severely attacked than were those 
of older animals. At different times the malady seemed to be 
associated with the use of peat-moss manure ; then with the 
presence of the Stinking Chamomile and a variety of Bryony ; 
and subsequently with the use of fowl-manure ; and throughout 
the prominent fact occuri-ed that all the affected calves had 
been dropped at a particular point on the farm. This fact, how- 
ever, lost all significance when it was ascertained that all cows 
were sent to that place to calve. Prof. Axe, after an exhaustive 
inquiry in this case, made the following report : — 
Commencement and Proe/ress of the Dirte((>te.-—'T\w disease comiupiippd 
nboiit January L'7 in the calf of a Kerry cow located with others at a ferin 
situated at the extreme south of tlie estate, and to whicli all the cows as they 
dried ofl'were sent to be "calved down." The next case occurred in the calf 
of ,1 dairy shorthorn on February 7, and thenceforward the disease continued 
to show itself first in one breed and then in another until the progeny of all 
the several breeds bad sullered without exception. The ofl'spring of the 
youngest as of the oldest coavs were alike affected. 
Of the 4,3 cows whose produce died, the period of gestation was com- 
pleted in 30. Premature birth occurred in 4, and 3 brought forth dead 
calves. All the calves presented a plump well-nourished appearance at 
birth ; but, as the herdsman expressed it, " they were born with a cold on 
them" — i.e. they discharged from the nostrils a glairy mucus, and .sneezed 
and snuffled as if so suflering. 
At this time the body temperature was not taken in any of them. We 
are therefore not able to affirm the existence of fever ; but it is quite clear 
that the disease, whatever its nature may have been, was contracted in vfero, 
and was not dependent for its existence upon the direct action of outside 
causes upon the foetus after birth. 
Symptoms. — At birth the calves appear dull, and, although plump and 
well-nourished, do not display the life and activity of health. There is 
frequently at this time a discharge of sticky mucus from the nose, and fre- 
quent acts of sneezing and snuffling. A similar deflexion occurs from the 
eyes, and the mouth is hot and clammy. The muffle soon becomes dry, the 
eyelids droop, and the animal becomes dull and listless and presents a 
heavy sleepy appearance. For a short time afterbirth the freces are natural. 
Sooner or later scouring sets in, when the discharges aie frequently emitted 
and give off a pungent, sour, offensive odour. At first they present the 
yellow hue of health, but they soon become mixed with blood and changed 
to a chocolate colour. They are from the first largely impregnated with 
mucus, which hangs in long slimy strings from the anus. " The last portion of 
each stool is expelled with pain during a loud plaintive moan. Abdominal 
pain is further shown by the firmly clenched jaws, grinding the teeth, and 
the repeated contraction or twitching of the abdominal muscles. In the 
