ON TUMOUllS IN CATTLE. 
383 
thrive by being too much pampered. I have followed his sugges- 
tion so far as to give them less this winter, and shall wait the re- 
sult. Upon the whole, I am of opinion that it is something in the 
grass that causes the complaint; but what that is, I can form no 
idea. I may add, that some of my neighbours have occasionally 
a beast or two affected in the same way; the Marquis of Stafford 
had sometimes eight or ten in a season at Dunrobin, but since 
1822, it has completely disappeared from thence.” 
In addition to the above account by Mr. Hood, the following de- 
scription was given of the disease by a medical gentleman in that 
neighbourhood : — 
“In the summer of 1828, my attention was directed to a number 
of young cattle who were affected with encysted or honeyed tu- 
mours, situated in the throat, at the superior angle of the lower 
jaw. When I first observed them they were superficially attached 
to the cellular membrane of that part, and of course were easily 
removed by excision (which is the only treatment I have found of 
the least use); but now they have assumed a more malignant ap- 
pearance, being firmly attached to the root of the tongue and car- 
tilages of the throat, so much so, as almost to render their removal 
impossible. The effects of the tumours are an immediate falling 
off in condition, and great oppression of breathing, and when the 
disease is allowed to take its course, the cattle generally die within 
four or five weeks after its commencement.” 
Besides these, the opinion of an eminent agriculturist was sent 
me, who, after an attentive consideration of the case, is of opinion 
that the disease is caused by some insect. “ My own opinion,” he 
says, “is, that it is caused by some insect, and the only way to 
find a remedy is, by a most minute and careful examination of the 
part, to try and find out what insect it is. Of course this is to be 
done both by cutting out the diseased part from the beast when 
alive, and also examination after death. Having found out what 
the insect is, the cattle might be removed to high ground, lea, or 
an open muir, while the insect was in the winged state. The 
common carrion-fly, and a few others, do not continue to be inju- 
rious in the winged state longer than three or four weeks, and the 
cattle would only require to be that time removed from the pas- 
tures. Though I may be wrong in supposing it to arise from the 
bite of an insect, still it would be greatly for the good of the cattle 
to be shifted to high ground for some time during the heat of 
summer, as, on their return to lower pastures, they would find the 
grass fresh and free from the tainted smell which they much dis- 
like in grass which has been trodden and breathed on by them- 
selves. I would also strongly advise salt to be given as a thing 
which can do no harm ; and if it be something in the blood, as it 
