Report to the General Meeting. 
vii 
Smallpox in Sheep made its appearance in Wiltshire. The 
origin still remains in some doubt. Professor Simonds, the 
Veterinary Professor of the Society, proceeded to the spot, and 
deemed it prudent at once to order the isolation of the infected, 
and inoculation of the unaffected animals ; thus preventing the 
extension of the disease in its ordinary or natural manner. The 
disease is now completely exterminated in Wilts, and exists in 
one flock only in Berkshire. The Professor delivered Lectures 
on the subject at large Meetings in Warminster and Salisbury, 
and attended several Fairs in the County, with the view of 
preventing any diseased sheep being exposed for sale. This 
precautionary measure appears to have been whoUv efficacious. 
The Council have taken measures for obtaining a greater 
number of nominations from which to select the Judges for the 
Country Meetings, and will esteem it a favour if the Members 
of the Society at large will from time to time transmit to the 
Secretary the names of men, not onlv disinterested in themselves, 
but fully qualified by their abilities and experience for the arduous 
-task confided to them. 
The Metropolitan Meeting in Battersea Park has proved 
•eminently successful in carrying out the objects of the Societv, 
although the expenses incurred have entailed a heavy charge on 
its general funds. The interest attached to 'the Exhibition of 
Live Stock on that occasion was increased by the numerous 
specimens of Foreign Stock sent over at great expense by the 
Dutch, French, Saxon, and Swiss Governments, as a token of 
friendly regard to the Societv, and the international character of 
the Meeting. 
The Members were honoured bv the gracious presence of His 
Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, with numerous other royal 
and distinguished personages, who all expressed themselves 
highly gratified at the number of the Stock, the variety of the 
breeds, and the high character which so large a proportion of 
the animals exhibited. The Highland and Agricultural Society 
of Scotland also held its Annual Show of Stock within this 
-Society's enclosure, and by their numerous entries greatly in- 
creased the magnificence of the display. 
The attendance of Governors and Members of both Societies 
was unusually large, and this proves to the Council that the 
privilege of free admission to the Showyard is highly valued, 
