A VOICE FROM A DURHAM COAL MINE. 
677 
surprise at the announcement in j'our issue of the present 
mouthy that this plant should be charged with being the 
cause of the appearance of sores about the moutli and legs 
of animals fed upon it. He also states that it has been 
extensively grovn in his district for feeding purposes for 
years, without his ever having heard of, or noticed, such 
effects as ascribed to it. 
My own experience of the plant goes so far that I can 
say near OOO animals under my care, above and below ground, 
have been fed upon a large admixture of it with English clover, 
during the summer, with none of those results; and the oldest 
person I have consulted, who knows the nature of the plant 
better than I—and I confess with regret that I need much of 
Mr. ^Vatsoffs (Rugby) valuable botanical instruction—that, 
as a fodder, both green and dry, he cannot bring to mind a 
single instance of any derangement of the kind ever having 
occurred, as alluded to by Mr. Wheeler. Our hay of last 
year, from five farms, contained large quantities of the plant, 
with English clover, and that secured in the past season is 
similarly provided. 
I certainly consider, in the absence of analysis, we cannot 
charge the plant with such pernicious effects, coupled with 
the fact of its use being so very common in various parts of 
England and Scotland. Some years ago, I recollect having 
a few cases of the description, which disappeared after the 
exhibition of alterative medicine. One animal with a white 
nose and face presented the worst appearances, and in the 
absence of alsike cloverf I attributed the cause to be 
connected with the digestive organs, consequent upon a 
change of diet. IMr. W., however, does not state how long 
his patients had been placed upon the food before the disease 
made its appearance. 
1 had presumed to address you, also, upon other matters, 
but the length of this having grown beyond my expectation 
compels me to desist. 
Mentor. 
To the Editors of ‘ The Veterinarian^ 
