606 
Ahstract Report of A(jricultural Discussions. 
foxmd that tlie three anterior ones were not at all affected. No 
entozoa were to be met with. There was then only the true digestive 
stomach left, and upon cutting into it he must say that he was hardly 
prepared for what was observed. The instant it was slit open, his eye 
being somewhat quick in catching sight of entozoa, he at once ex- 
claimed, " Here is the cause '? " The stomach was literally as thickly 
covered in places with these worms as the head of a man with hair. 
There they hung, their heads being burrowed in the mucous membrane 
of the stomach in myriads. He first thought the case must be as 
exceptional as it was remarkable. He had since examined the worm 
microscopically, and observed that although there was a great deal 
in its natural history which he would have to work out hereafter, 
he had still satisfied himself as to its anatomical peculiarities, which 
justifies the name that has been given to it. Immediately behind 
its head are four barbs, like those of a fish-hook; so that when 
the head is inserted into the mucous membrane, these barbs hold 
the worm fixed, and from that situation the attrition of the food 
fails to dislodge it. This proved not to be an isolated case ; for in 
the course of a short space of time he was consulted in other instances 
where these worms existed in sheep of all ages, and placed under every 
variety of circumstances in regard to food and management. o breed 
of sheep appears to be exempt from — no particular system of manage- 
ment gives secm'ity against — ^'the attacks of these parasites ; and he had 
subsequently met with instances of the presence of this worm in the most 
remote western, as well as the most remote eastern, coimties of England. 
It evidently is greatly on the increase ; but where it came from ho 
could not say. Various means were resorted to for the purpose of 
getting rid of these parasites ; but at first they all proved ineffective 
for good. Tm-pentine was tried — it was of no use ; sulphate of iron, 
and several other agents, but all were of little 'avail. He thereupon 
determined to try what wovdd be the effect of a large dose of salt admi- 
nistered as a draught, and it turned out to be a most efficient agent. 
The sheep he tried it upon were some ewes belonging to the brother of 
the late lamented Jonas Webb, which were thought to be affected with 
rot. But then, as everybody knows, rot is never seen on the open 
heath-lands of Cambridgeshire, and these ewes had been nowhere else. 
Mr. Webb was naturally puzzled to know why they should be wasting 
away, and dying with all the outward appearances of suffering fronj rot. 
In that instance a large dose of common salt — as much as thi'ce- 
quarters of an ounce, and in one case a whole ounce of salt, dissolved 
in a half-pint of water, was given to a sheep. By this means himdrcds 
of these creatures were removed ; and from that moment might bo 
dated the recovery of the animals. He had since experimented fre- 
quently in the same way, and always with the like success. These 
doses of salt, however, must not be repeated often, for they be- 
come very dangerous, and are really poisonous to the system. But 
there is no reason for apprehending danger or mischief in any way. 
from the exliibition of one or two such doses as he had mentioned, 
administered at proper intervals. 
He Iiad now a practical suggestion to make, which might be worthy of 
