DISEASED MEAT. 
391 
not having been informed of this^ but the servant excused 
himself, that he never thought of alarming him so long as 
the flesh of the sheep was sound and healthy. The two other 
proprietors found on examination that the livers of their five- 
year-old mutton were in the same state, and they all expressed 
their surprise how the animals could continue so healthy, and 
their flesh so good and untainted, -with such a mass of cor¬ 
ruption within them. I explained that the whole liver was not 
diseased, although it might probably ultimately become so, and 
that in the latter stages of the disease the process of morbid 
action would rapidly progress, and the sheep would suddenly 
drop doAvn and die, according to the extent and intensity of 
the affection, when the flesh would become tainted, and when 
they died would rapidly undergo decomposition, rendering 
it unfit for use. 
I understand that sheep removed from high localities— 
reared on poor herbage—to be fattened off a low, rich 
pasturage, are liable to similar hepatic disorganization, and 
that dealers sustain fearful risks and losses in purchases under 
such circumstances. The fact . is not so well known as it 
ought to be, that sheep will preserve their flesh while their 
livers are more than three fourths diseased, and that the 
disease is found to prevail in damp, low pastures, and wet 
seasons. The fluke (the Distoma Jiepaticum) seems to ori¬ 
ginate from these two causes, and inquirers into the causes, 
seat, and progress of the disorders among the lower 
animals cannot have their attention too carefully and con¬ 
stantly directed to such modifying influences on their healthy 
functions. I mentioned this circumstance to one of the 
most respectable butchers in an extensive business in this 
city about eight days ago, and he confirmed my statement 
by informing me that, a few years ago, one in his own trade 
had purchased from a laird in the west of Scotland ten or 
twelve scores of sheep, which were taken to the rich green 
fields of East Lothian, to be put into condition for slaughtering 
as he required them. ' The ground was damp and the season 
wet, and the sheep did not thrive according to expectation. 
A few only of them were killed, and in their livers flukes 
were found. In the course of two to three months, he wrote 
to the gentleman from whom he purchased the sheep, that 
they had turned out very badly, and would prove a very losing 
bargain; when he confeionally offered to take them back 
being thoroughly satisfied as to the soundness and healthiness 
of his stock. They were accordingly returned, and on their 
way to the railroad station, a distance of only a few miles, 
not fewer than thirteen of them dropped down and died; so 
