574 
Facts and Observations. 
DISEASE AMONGST THE CATTLE IN RUSSIA. 
The correspondent of the Times states, that letters re¬ 
ceived from various parts of Russia announce that disease 
has broken out among the horned cattle in that country, 
and that it has committed great destruction; 302 oxen 
out of 39S died in the district of Darna within fifteen days. 
The malady prevails more particularly in the Governments 
of Wilna and of Viatka. 
ERGOTISED GRASSES. 
Mr. W. Watson, M.R.C.V.S., informs us that, having 
been requested by a farmer in the neighbourhood of Rugby, 
to examine the herbage in some of his fields, he found that 
nearly every kind of grass therein was more or less ergotised. 
The agriculturist told him that he had for many years occu¬ 
pied the land, and whenever his cows were kept in these 
particular fields they nearly all cast their calves. He had 
sustained great losses in consequence, and this more in some 
seasons than others. 
Mr. Watson thinks it probable that this state of the 
grasses may have had some influence in producing abortion. 
He has forwarded to us specimens of the grasses, for 
which we feel obliged to him ; but we shall attempt no 
description of them, being assured that the subject will not 
be lost sight of by him. W T e need hardly add, that it is one 
possessing much interest, both to the profession and the 
public. 
HYDROPHOBIA. 
The Academy of Medicine of Turin is at present inves¬ 
tigating measures best suited to prevent the occurrence of 
this terrible disease. In France it was thought some years 
ago that the end would be gained by raising the taxes on 
dogs, and so diminishing their number. M. Lobligeois gives 
on this head some very interesting details. He states that, 
