on Mr. Doggett's Farm, Holkliam, Norfolk. 
53 
to anthrax disorders, and markedly so under certain ill-defined 
■climatic and topographical conditions. 
Stocking of Decoy Pastures since the first Outbreak iri 1874. — 
Since the first outbreak in 1874, the decoy pastures have been 
variously dealt with in regard to stocking. 
In 1875, and again in 1876, they were fed with sheep, and 
during those years no disease appeared. In 1877 cattle were 
again turned on them, and again became the victims of anthrax. 
On this occasion the disease first aj)peared on the 19th of June, 
after which date the meadows were " shut up " and mown later 
on. In 1878 they were again mown, and eaten off with ewes 
in the autumn. In 1879 they were grazed with sheep without 
any ill consequences arising, and in 1880 cattle were again 
turned on to them, with the same unsatisfactory result as 
before. It will be seen from this that, in regard to cattle, the 
ground has proved fatal in every instance when they have 
been turned upon it since 1874 ; while sheep have on no 
occasion suffered, excepting when pastured with or following 
oxen in which the disorder existed. As previously stated, 
no anthrax disease is known to have occurred on the farm 
prior to 1874. The idea of a contaminated soil cannot, how- 
ever, on that account alone be altogether dismissed from the 
inquiry. It must be kept in view that the seeds of anthrax, no 
less than those of wheat, enjoy a passive as well as an active 
state, and that in the one case, as in the other, certain favour- 
able conditions are needed before the latter can be induced. In 
reference to those conditions it has been shown by Dr. Burdon 
Sanderson that certain articles of diet employed for feeding 
cattle furnish a fertile nidus in which anthrax organisms may 
propagate and develop. Thus grains have proved a most 
luxurious propagating medium, and among the various forms 
and conditions of vegetable matter contained in the soil, it is 
highly probable that other media may be found equally produc- 
tive when acted upon by the combined influence of heat and 
moisture. It will appear, from what has just been remarked, 
that the absence of disease from a pasture, even for a long 
period, is not altogether inconsistent with the presence of the 
contagium in the soil. Whether the outbreak of 1873 was due 
to a recent importation of virus or to the accidental exhumation 
of long-buried anthrax matter it is impossible to state ; but, 
having regard to all the facts of the case, the former conclusion 
appears to me to be the more acceptable. 
Had the Water Supply any opportunity of becoming con- 
taminated loith the Virus of Anthrax. — It has been already 
pointed out that in 1874, and again in 1877, the carcasses of 
both oxen and horses were buried in the decoy marshes, and 
