3l8 Annual Beport of the Itoyal Veterinaru College on their 
from the pail ; the cows that furnished that milk were sent to 
graze for a day or two in the above-mentioned paddock. At 
once the calves began to scour. The cows were removed, and 
the scouring ceased. The investigation might therefore be 
completed by trying the efiect of fowl-manure upon grass given 
to cows, and also the young shoots (first growth) of chamomile. 
It must not be forgotten that the first cases occurred in January, 
4 out of 22, and in February, 5 out of 12. In January chamo- 
mile had not begun to grow ; towards the end of February it 
might. This will be seen in the present year ; but the balance 
of evidence points to the fowl-manure. 
It will be observed that the disease was confined to the 
period from January to ]\Iay, and it is hardly necessary to 
remark that the events of the next three months in the farm 
where the disease occurred will be carefully watched, and should 
the affection reappear there will be a far better opportunity of 
tracing it to its origin than was afforded last year, when the 
affection had nearly ceased before the investigation was com- 
menced. 
One thing in connection with the disease may be posi- 
tively asserted— i.e. the development of the morbid condition of 
the calves in the uterus. The animals were born diseased, and 
the occurrence of cases of premature birth from time to time 
during the period of prevalence of the disease suggests that both 
catastrophes were due to the same series of causes, acting with 
various degrees of energy under different conditions. 
In July Sir John Astley applied for advice for one of his 
tenants, whose cattle on a certain part of his farm fell victims 
periodically to a fatal disease which was not attended with any 
very decided s3"mptoms. Mr. J. B. Gresswell, of Louth, one of 
the district veterinary surgeons, was instructed to inquire into 
and report on the disease. Mr. Gresswell, from the symptoms and 
post-mortem appearances, suspected poisoning by some plant, and 
an inspection of the grazing-grounds to which the disease was 
apparently limited led him to select a species of solanum which 
was found in the hedgerows. Mr. Carruthers subsequently 
visited the farm, and reported that in his opinion the plants 
named Avere not likely to induce the disease. Suspicion was cast 
upon the water-supply ; but Dr. Yoelcker's analysis proved that 
it was unfounded. 
BEroirrs from Distkict Veterinauy Sukgeons. 
Reports were received during the year from a few of the 
district veterinary surgeons appointed by the Society, in reference 
