in Lambs and Young Sheep. 
509 
of movement of the posterior parts in lambs, if not always 
associated with the state of bone-fragility in young sheep, 
observed on particular soils when placed under cultivation, is 
invariably met with where the soil is similar, and where like ex- 
trinsic agencies are in operation. There seems little doubt that 
its existence depends upon dietetic influences, which primarily 
arise from the condition of the soil, and which influence animal 
nutrition through determining the character of the plant-life 
developing there. Although we may not be able to state 
exactly what elements are wanting, or what are redundant, we 
are yet pretty certain that particular soils, when treated in a 
certain manner, will give rise to this affection in lambs which are 
the offspring of ewes that have been fed during gestation on 
the crops of such soils. It is not absolutely needful that the 
ewes should be located on these soils to produce the disease in 
their lambs ; the same results will follow even when they ai'e 
placed in situations not subject to this condition, provided that 
they are supplied with food grown upon the soils in question. 
To secure a development of this disease, the conditions which 
require to be fulfilled in connection with light moory pasture 
lands are, that they shall be brought under tillage, and have a 
dressing of caustic lime. Either of these modes of treating 
these soils may incite conditions favourable to its appearance, 
but are more likely to secure such when both are carried out at 
once. While it is probable that the application of lime alone 
as a top-dressing is more likely to be followed by the appear- 
ance of the disease, than the simple breaking of the turf by 
the plough, it seems to matter little, whether after having been 
treated as indicated, these soils are at once laid down to grass 
or employed at first for root-cropping. In either form the food- 
material grown upon them may not be used freely with impunity 
for breeding ewes or for young lambs. The most disastrous 
results are observed to be attendant upon placing pregnant ewes 
upon turnips grown on these lands, and retaining them on such 
until parturition ; while scarcely less serious consequences 
follow turning ewes, with apparently healthy lambs, upon the 
same soils, which have been seeded without a previous crop. 
That the lime which has been applied when the pastures were 
broken up is a chief factor in the development of the hurtful 
influence, is to some extent proved by the fact, that the viru- 
lence of the disturbance seems to be in direct ratio to the quan- 
tity employed, and the proximity to the period of its application. 
That it is not in itself hurtful, but rather by virtue of its action 
upon the particular soil, is probable, when we regard the im- 
punity, or rather benefit, with which the same agent may be 
employed on lands of a different character. It would appear, 
