Report on Liver-Rot. 
203 
is the removal from the land of the superfluous wet, requisite 
for the existence and distribution of the rapidly multiplying 
flukes and their intermediary molluscan hosts. Towards this 
desirable end draining and ditching in many districts are being 
prosecuted with unusual energy. Burst-up drains, weeping spots, 
even when occupying an area limited to a few square yards, 
afford breeding-ground for the flukes, and should be promptly 
remedied. Ditches should be scoured and outfalls kept in order. 
The removal of obstructions in streams and rivers providing 
quicker outflow of surplus water in many districts would 
greatly limit the area of liver-rot. A dry summer, such as that 
of 1868 or 1870, would prove a most wholesome remedy. Until 
wet land has been dried, either by thorough draining or by the 
natural operation of one or two scorching summers, it is evi- 
dently most risky to turn sheep upon it at any season of the 
year, even for short periods. Wet portions of fields and springy 
spots until properly dried should be hurdled off. Ditches should 
be scoured, and pools and watering-places cleaned out, for near 
stagnant water and in mud slugs and cercariae find congenial 
lodgment. 
Whilst a few morsels of grass abundantly infested with flukes 
sometimes suffice to contaminate a flock, the protective effect of 
penning sheep on dry land, especially at night, is supported by 
tlie evidence of many good authorities. The preceeding pages 
afford numerous examples of flocks and portions of flocks, which, 
although ranging suspicious pastures by day, have been confined 
to the stubbles, or to pens on the arable by night, and hence 
escaped injury, whilst their fellows kept more constantly and by 
night on the lower lands have suffered seriously. Sheep make 
an early start for breakfast, and probably at early dawn the slugs 
are more apt to be picked up, and leave more abundantly 
on the damp dewy pastures their slimy trail contaminated by 
the cercariae. 
Concentrated dry food, given systematically, limits in a very 
striking manner the disastrous effects of flukes. It maintains a 
vigorous state of health, enabling the sheep, even if infested with 
the parasites, to bear up against their exhausting effects. Flocks 
regularly receiving trough food, or even hay, have often escaped 
or suffered lightly, whilst on adjacent farms, similarly circum- 
stanced, sheep receiving no dry food have been lost in large 
numbers. Lambs getting a little cake or corn have often been 
saved, whilst the older sheep, unfortified by such sound nourish- 
ment, have pined and died. 
The regular use of common salt is well entitled to rank as a 
preventive of rot. Rock-salt should be placed within reach of 
all horses, cattle, and sheep. It helps to maintain both gastric 
