510 
Rickets, Bone Softenivg, and Paralysii 
rather, that the lime, entering into combinations with certain 
constituents, vegetable or mineral, of the soil, tends to produce 
or liberate agents, which, being taken up by the plants grown 
there, operate prejudicially on particular organs and tissues of 
the sheep. Turnips, grown on these soils under the conditions 
noticed, 1 have seen freely used for cattle food, and have not 
observed any effects similar to those which are encountered in 
sheep. Any chemical analysis which I have had undertaken, of 
roots or soil, where the affection has prevailed, has not ac- 
counted in a satisfactory manner for the existence of the disease. 
Experiments which have been carried out upon sheep them- 
selves, prove that the paralvsis may be induced by attention to 
the placing of the animals in the situations which I have 
stated, and most certainly in the lambs when the ewes are 
operated upon, from the middle period of gestation on to 
lambing. If any difference exists in the severity of the seizures, 
it seems to be in the case of animals which have been brought 
from other situations or lands where this disease is not known. 
Although it is not asserted that anything approaching to accli- 
matisation exists, it is probable that animals hitherto exempt 
from the dangerous influences of those soils, suffer more 
severely than others previously exposed to them. In some dis- 
tricts certain breeds or varieties are said to be more subject to 
the disturbance than others. 
Anatomical Characters. — An examination of such lambs as 
have succumbed to the disease, or which may be slaughtered 
when affected, does not disclose well-marked structural changes. 
With some there may be evidence of defective nutrition, or 
anaemia, shown in the blanched and lax condition of the 
entire muscular system, with alterations in the vascular system 
as well. The greater number, however, show no prominent 
alterations explanatory of the symptoms exhibited during life. 
It has been frequently stated that a careful examination in 
well-marked cases shows evident changes in some parts of the 
central nervous system. These lesions, it is said, are more par- 
ticularly seen in the spinal canal and cord. In the cavities of 
the coverings the normal quantity of fluid is increased, while 
changes of a varying character have, it is asserted, been noted in 
the intimate nerve-elements. That both of these conditions 
may be seen, I feel satisfied ; that they are invariably well 
marked, I do not believe. The former I have noticed with more 
constancy than the latter, of the existence of which, save in very 
rare and prolonged cases, I have never been able to satisfy 
myself. Probably of more importance, however, than changes 
of a doubtful character, which may be observed in the intimate 
structure of the cord, are alterations in the bone-elements which 
