615 
ON THE EPIZOOTIC AMONG SHEEP. 
By H. Ernes, M.R.C.V.S., Dockhead, Bermondsey. 
To the Editor of “ The Veterinarian .” 
Dear Sir, — The disease recently observed in Smithfield market 
on some sheep imported from Spain, and of which I have no doubt 
you have already heard, is well known on the Continent: it pre- 
vails at times epizootically, and has become enzootic in many parts. 
It is by the French known as the CLAVELkE (from clavus ). It is an 
eruptive disease peculiar to the species ovina , and bears a strong 
analogy to the variola. Its attack is confined to once, no case being 
on record where the same individual has been affected twice. It 
is highly contagious, and is often communicated by the clothes of 
those who come in contact with the diseased flocks. The pustules 
are situated on the inside of the thighs and legs, behind the 
shoulders, mouth, and eyes, and generally where the skin is thinly 
covered with wool. Its march, duration, termination, complica- 
tion, &c. are similar to those of the variola, which analogy had 
induced a hope that vaccination might be a preventive : this expec- 
tation has not been realized, but inoculation of the virus taken from 
the pustules of the diseased has been attended with better success, 
and is now generally resorted to on the Continent. 
THE PETITION FOR A NEW CHARTER. 
To the Right Honourable Sir George Grey, Bart., Her Majesty' s 
Principal Secretary of State for the Home Department. 
Sir George, 
I HAD the honour in July last of acknowledging the receipt 
of a communication from Mr. S. M. Phillips, intimating that a 
petition from the Governors of the Royal Veterinary College and 
the Highland Agricultural Society was then under your consider- 
ation. May I be permitted to beg the favour, in the name of the 
Council of the Ro)'al College of Veterinary Surgeons, of a copy of 
that document, if not incompatible with the usual routine on such 
occasions 1 
I have the honour to be, 
Sir George, 
Your most obedient servant, 
Thomas Turner, 
311, Regent- street, President of the Royal College of 
September 10th, 1847. Veterinary Surgeons. 
