542 
ROT Ift SHEJ3P* 
FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE. 
This affection is prevailing in many parts of the country 
in a virulent form, and the deaths among calves and also pigs 
have been unusually great. In some instances calves have 
died from the influence of the materies morbi in the system 
even before the ordinary symptoms of the malady have 
declared themselves. 
These periodic outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease are 
apparently becoming far more frequent. In times past, four 
or five years often passed ■without the disease being either 
unusually rife or virulent. The facts observed in Great 
Britain and Ireland with regard to more frequent outbreaks 
of the malady, seem to belong to Europe as a whole. 
A deputation from the Royal Agricultural Society had an 
interview with the Vice-President of the Council a short 
time ago on this subject. The society complained of the 
introduction of diseased animals from Ireland, and regretted 
the laxity of action displayed in the cleansing and disinfecting 
of vessels. It appears that the society is about to undertake 
an inquiry into the subject, at the conclusion of which it is 
proposed to submit certain propositions for the consideration 
of the Government. 
ROT IN SHEEP. 
The Pleasant Creek News, Australian paper, says “-that the 
affection known as ‘rot ; or fluke disease of sheep is attack¬ 
ing the sheep in the Wimmera district. It is said that in the 
Victoria Valley twenty or thirty of the diseased sheep are found 
dead daily on the camping grounds. The disease will not only 
reduce the stock terribly, but will have the probable effect of 
reducing the lambing by one third, besides causing a break 
in the wool, which will seriously militate against the price of 
the next clip. The rot, we are sorry to hear, is becoming 
general, and is fast travelling northward. There was a similar 
attack, we believe, sustained by the Wimmera flocks in 1863. 
The disease is generally observed after a wet spring, in cases 
where the subsequent heat causes the decay of vegetable 
matter.” 
