PLEURO-PNEUMONIA IN AUSTRALIA. 179 
six months, without giving any reason for tabooing scab- 
infected runs for that period. Much of the disinfecting 
process will depend on sharp frosts or on washing rains. 
Could the grass and runs be completely burned over, then 
stock might be safely put on the first flush of the springing 
grass. Fire is an admirable purifier. Without such puri¬ 
fying agents, some time (three months, at least) should be 
allowed to intervene—the longer, the safer. 
Post-mortem appearances .—From these, judiciously con¬ 
ducted, men gather the greater part of their information 
regarding dumb animals. The lungs are always gorged w 7 ith 
black blood, resembling rottenness, presenting a marbled 
appearance. There may be an abscess, either filled with pus 
or cheesy-looking matter. The diaphragm, pericardium, and 
pleura, from contiguity, perhaps, are also black, thickened, 
and the latter gangrenous; and although traces of inflam¬ 
mation may be found in the abdominal cavity, the rumen 
filled with dry food, the manyplies hardened, the liver en¬ 
larged, and bile thickened, all these are consequences of the 
pulmonic disease; for suspension of chewing the cud, and 
afterwards indigestion, are certain to follow 7 indisposition in 
the animal economy, of whatever name or nature the malady 
is recognised to be. No dependence can be placed on any 
autopsical report unless the operator is tolerably acquainted 
with pathology, physiology, and anatomy. The lungs are 
said to be sometimes preter-enlarged from 4 lb. or 5 lb. up to 
20 lb., 30 lb., and 40 lb. 
In the Cumberland endemic w 7 e learn that spleens weighing 
28 lb. have been taken out, but it is quite another disease 
from pleuro-pneumonia. Cases occur where the lungs are 
comparatively free of apparent disease, so that auscultation 
can be no positive indication at all times. In fact, frequent 
dissections will show great varieties of diseased action in one, 
or more, or several portions in the cavity of the thorax; and, 
although the heart must be sympathetically affected, it is 
found mainly diminished in volume or size. Generally, the 
lungs, or parts thereof, w T ith other organs in the thoracic 
cavity, are more or less the true places of pulmonary morbific 
action. 
Referring to the opinion of Mr. Ogilvie, that pleuro-pneu¬ 
monia is neither contagious nor infectious, it may be said 
promptly that all European and American experience rules 
against his ideas; and we wonder if that gentleman really 
understands in any degree the nature of contagion or infection 
when he speaks out so dogmatically. We should be strongly 
inclined to enunciate opposite doctrines, as the better as well 
as the safer conclusion. Nor is he more happy in his 
