314 
THE EASTERN CAMPAIGN. 
the part of the Royal Agricultural Society of England to send 
Professor Simonds to inquire into, and report on the nature 
of this disease. 
The primary cause of the epidemic I believe to be an 
atmospheric poison, which developes itself in animals already 
affected, from local and other causes, with a peculiar diseased 
condition of the blood ; and when developed, it is of an ex- 
tremely infectious character. The offensive nature of the 
evacuations, and the rapid tendency of the flesh to putrefy, 
renders it unsafe for human food. Although the Greeks 
had no objection to a slice of a dead horse, I never knew 
them attempt to take a piece of a diseased bullock. 
The affection is decidedly of a dysenteric character, but it 
differs from all other forms of that disease I have seen in this 
country, from the rapidity with which it runs its course, and 
the sympathy of the brain and nerves that exists; this being 
almost, if not quite, as great as prevails in parturient 
apoplexy. 
I would not have the agriculturists of this country place 
too much reliance on orders in Council, or the inspection of 
foreign animals. It is their duty not to expose their stock 
to either over-feeding, or the want of a sufficient supply of 
food. At all times they should have a good quantity of clean 
water allowed them. Dusty and mouldy hay or straw should 
on no account be given ; and rock salt should be plentifully 
supplied in both straw-yards and sheds. To calves, that on 
certain farms are subject to diarrhoea, a small quantity of 
nitre should be administered occasionally in milk. 
The houses should be kept clean and well ventilated, and all 
drains be open and clear. Further, at this particular season of 
the year, the cattle should not be turned on land where the 
black willow grows, the leaves of which are of a very acrid, 
astringent nature, and are found to act powerfully on the 
third and fourth stomachs after they have been eaten, which 
they frequently are when the shoots are young. 
{To be continued .) 
