WOOD-EVIL, OR PANTAS AND MOOR-ILL. 503 
Post -mortem Ex a initiation. 
Monday morning , July 11th, 1836. — On opening the abdomen 
and chest there was not the slightest inflammation in any of the 
viscera ; but on sawing through the bones of the lumbar vertebrae 
I perceived a quantity of fluid and a deposition of coagulated 
lymph, and also adhesion of the membranes belonging to the me- 
dulla spinalis. The roots of the nerves which were given off 
from a portion of the spinal cord were nearly absorbed. The 
muscles of the hind extremities and loins were of a clay-like ap- 
pearance, and so soft as to be torn with the slightest effort. The 
muscles of the fore parts of the body were of a natural colour 
and firmness. 
ON WOOD-EVIL, OR PANTAS, AND MOOR-ILL. 
By Mr, W. Cox, Leek , Staffordshire. 
I have been on the look-out for some time, for a distinction 
in The Veterinarian between those diseases in cattle called 
the wood-evil and moor-ill : I am not aware that a proper one 
has hitherto been drawn by any writer. For this reason I am 
induced to take up my pen, not only because I flatter myself 
that I am able to give a few hints as to the causes, symptoms, 
and method of cure of the above diseases, but with an intention 
to rouse a spirit of inquiry amongst my intelligent veterinary 
brethren, and particularly among those of the northern districts. 
The Wood-evil, or Pantas. — This disorder is most pre- 
valent in woody districts, or low meadow or pasture land, where 
there are many crabs and black willow trees, which the cattle 
will sometimes eat with greediness, and become obstinately 
sapped. I have one case in particular in my memory, in which 
it took nearly four pounds of Epsom salts in order to open the 
bowels : many also of the cattle that had eaten of the willows 
required almost as much to purge them. 
The Moor-ill. — This disease is wholly confined to moors, 
and commons, and poor lands. It is very prevalent in the north 
of Staffordshire, and is called by some farmers the over-country 
disorder. 
As to the cause of this complaint there is a great variety of 
opinion among the farmers ; some say it comes on in the winter, 
and trace it to the hay being mixed with a herb in it, which is 
called mountain flax : others say that the fault is in the water : 
other very intelligent farmers tell me that they have watched it 
very closely for some years, and that it always begins in the 
