178 
Report on Liver-Rot. 
on the frequently flooded meadows is believed to damage cattle 
more than sheep, and causes inflamed bowels and diseased livers, 
especially in young cattle and those in poor condition. 
Butchers in Derby concur in the statement that although 
twelve months ago the cattle were comparatively sound, their 
livers are now quite as much diseased as those of the sheep. 
Cattle evidently stand up better against the complaint ; even 
when the liver is invaded with flukes and much consolidated 
and hardened they do not waste as quickly as sheep do under 
similar circumstances. Almost every Midland counties beast 
now slaughtered is said to be affected. One extensive butcher, 
who kills upwards of 50 cattle a-week, stated (Feb. 11th) that he 
had scarcely seen 20 lbs. of sound ox liver since Christmas. 
The only bullocks free from flukes, at present killed in Derby, 
come, he said, from Yorkshire or Norfolk. Sound sheep are 
still brought from many parts of Lincolnshire, from Cumberland, 
and other northern English counties, and from Scotland. 
Mr. Ai/Iton, M.R.C.V.S., Derby, has noted the extension of 
rot during the last two years on many farms previously healthy. 
Usually bj purchased stock it has been spread over fairly dry 
uplands. It has appeared on many farms between Derby 
and Ashbourne, where there are no flooded lands ; it has left 
not a sheep in the parish of Murchiston ; even the mountain 
sheep on the Peak have been affected. All parasitic diseases, 
he remarks, have recently been on the increase ; hoose amongst 
young cattle and sheep has been especially common. Many 
cattle have been attacked by flukes ; many deaths have occurred, 
especially amongst yearlings. Animals whose livers have pre- 
viously been injured by the continued residence of many flukes, 
if a second time attacked, very certainly and speedily perish. 
Within the last few months he has seen two horses die from 
liver flukes, one, a six-year-old, grazed last summer on a flooded 
meadow. Judging from their coats and poverty, many colts are 
this winter infested, and deaths are now occurring amongst those 
left out starving in the unsheltered fields. Derbyshire farmers, 
he continued, are not yet sufficiently alive to the importance of 
protecting their live-stock from inclemency of weather and fur- 
nishing them with adequate supplies of nutritive food. Early 
and judicious treatment, Mr. Aylton stated, should save three- 
fourths of any properly kept stock attacked by flukes. The losses, 
he believes, largely depend upon poverty, and upon trouble 
and expense being grudged in the ordinary management, and 
in the earlier stages of the attack. 
Warwickshire farmers have experienced large losses amongst 
flocks on flooded lands along the banks of the Tame in the 
north, and the Avon and Alne in the south, as well as on the 
