152 
Annual Report of the Royal Veterinary College on 
with imperfectly-boiled flesh obtained from a neighbouring " knacker- 
man." The flock of ewes to which the outbreak refers was turned 
into these pastures for a few hours on May 1. On the 3rd, two of 
them died suddenly, and on the 4th three others succumbed after a 
brief illness. Parts of the dead sheep were given to pigs, and in a 
short time all that partook of them developed symptoms of anthrax. 
Examination of the blood of the sheep revealed the presence of 
anthrax organisms. 
On February 1 a request was made for a visit into Surrey, where 
several cows presented small tumours beneath the skin of the udder, 
supposed to be tuberculous. General and microscopical examina- 
tion of the morbid growths showed them to consist of fat, and they 
were repoi'ted to be quite innocent growths and in no way likely to 
contaminate the milk. The hereditary nature of these formations 
was strikingly marked in the fact that mother, daughter, and 
granddaughter were each and all afiected. 
On March 18 an inquiry was made into an outbreak of skin 
disease of a peculiar nature aflecting a flock of sheep in Kent. The 
malady is reported to have prevailed in the flock for several years, 
resulting in the loss of four or five sheep annually. It is confined 
to ewes, and appears to commence shortly after the tupping season. 
In every case it has proved fatal. Small, ill-conditioned animals 
are most frequently its victims. The duration of the disease usually 
exceeds two or thi-ee months. 
With reference to the symptoms, it is remarked that the fleece first 
becomes unusually light in colour, and soon the affected animals are 
seen, to nibble the wool and to show irritation of the skin by rubbing 
and biting themselves. Later on the body becomes emaciated, the 
wool falls off' in locks, until the fleece is completely shed, and death 
sooner or later results from exhaustion. 
Examination of the skin reveals here and there small red spots 
scattered over the surface, and slight scurfiness. Microscopical 
examination of the scurf and of the skin itself was made, but no 
parasites were found. Post-mortem examination sliowed all the 
organs of the body to be free from organic disease. The malady 
is still the subject of inquiry. 
A visit was made into Hampshire on April 18 respecting an 
outbreak of disease among sheep. At that time 100 of the flock, out 
of a total of 807, had died. The chief symptoms of the disease were 
diarrlioca and wasting, resulting in exhaustion and deatli. In some 
few instances sudden attacks of giddiness with inability to stand 
were the only indications of disease. The duration of the malady 
was from one to three weeks. In one or two instances, however, it 
did not exceed forty- eight liours. 
Congestion and inflammatory changes in tlie stojnach and intes- 
tines, softening of the kidneys, and a general watery state of the 
tissues of the body were the chief post-morteni changes. Some 
parasites {Trichoccphalun oj/lins) were found in the large bowels, but 
not in large numbers. The sickness and mortality were considered . 
to arise out of the indifferent supply of milk furnished by the ewes, 
