2 (> 
ON MOOR-ILL AND WOOD-EVIL. 
By Mr. Cox, of Leek. 
As there has been a mistake in my last paper on moor-ill, I 
am called upon to write again. I would that the readers of The 
Veterinarian would look on that part of my last communi- 
cation as null and void where it says “ I consider the disease 
moor-ill or wood-evil to be a kind of garget, without the swollen 
udder, &c.” 
I have to thank the editors of The V eteri n ari an for their 
intended services done me, although it proves a mistake*. 
In most writings on cattle medicine, a constipation of the ma- 
niplus, bowels, &c. is said to be an attendant on wood-evil ; by 
some it is said to be the effect, and by others the cause, such as 
eating some acrimonious herb or herbs, leaves, &c. as are found 
near woods, &c. Hence the term Wood-evil. But to be brief : 
as I have before hinted, I take it to be a constipation of the ma- 
niplus, which will arise from various causes, &c. The moor-ill is 
said, by some writers, to be brought on by a want of fresh water ; 
and others by picking up a scanty allowance of food, or some debi- 
litating herb or herbs, on moors and commons ; from hence the 
name Moor-ill. Thus, in the twilight of science our fathers indis- 
criminately called wood-evil, moor-ill, pantas, one and the same 
disease. But before I write my sentiments on moor-ill, perhaps I 
may be forgiven in saying, that I have been a pupil in two coun- 
ties in England, and in practice in two others, from which I ought 
to know the different diseases which are incident to cattle. The 
cause of what I call moor-ill is at present unknown to me, for 
which reason I have before solicited the aid of any well-informed 
practitioner. I believe it is brought on by some peculiar herb or 
herbs, or otherwise some peculiarity in some lands on which they 
feed. On the one hand, poor food is not the sole cause, and on 
the other I have never seen it come on in good land. The symp- 
toms and treatment I have laid down in my first paper on moor- 
ill. This complaint which I am now speaking of I have never 
seen only in the north of Staffordshire and north of Derbyshire. 
* We have occasionally altered slight inaccuracies of expression in the 
communications of our correspondents ; but in no single case have we de- 
signedly interfered with the meaning; but in the present case, we, or the 
printer, carelessly and undesignedly left out the words “according to their 
communications,” 1 consider, &c. This certainly alters the meaning, and 
we are sorry for it. Mr. Mayer’s well-written reply to Mr. Cox is on this 
account held back until the next month. 
