198 ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND. 
Poyser of Melbourne, veterinary surgeons, had been consulted 
by Mr. Handley, and they were of opinion that the malady was 
due to poisoning by sulphuric and prussic acids. 
“ At the time of the outbreak of the disorder the cows were 
receiving as food grains, Indian meal, and hay. The grains were 
stale, having been collected in the summer. With a view to 
preserving them, they were covered over with sods and earth 
which had been removed from the side of the road adjoining Mr. 
Handley’s farm. I had an opportunity of examining a portion of 
the mixture of grains and meal on which the cattle were last fed 
previously to the outbreak, and in it was found a considerable 
quantity of lead-slag in a state of fine division. Similar matter 
was also found in large quantities in the stomachs of two cows of 
which I made a post-mortem inspection. As the roads in lead¬ 
mining districts are frequently repaired with lead-slag, the sods 
and earth referred to may be regarded with suspicion of contain¬ 
ing the poison. The symptoms exhibited by the animals during 
life were strikingly illustrative of lead poisoning, and the post - 
mortem lesions likewise point to the same conclusion. Regarding 
the disease as the result of lead poisoning, I consulted with Mr. 
Poyser, who was in attendance, and suggested the course of 
treatment to be pursued. This morning I have received a letter 
from Mr. Wood, of Wirksworth Hill, informing me that no more 
deaths have occurred. The stomachs of one of the cows are now 
being analysed, and the result will no doubt be made known to 
you by Professor Tuson when the analysis is completed.—I am, 
yours faithfully, 
“ J. Wortley Axe, Professor. 
“ H. M. Jenkins, Esq.” 
“ Chemical Laboratory, Royal Veterinary College, 
“ Camden Toivn, N. W., February 3rd, 1879. 
“ Sir, —In reference to the suspected case of poisoning sent 
through you from J. B. Wood, Esq., to the Institution for inves¬ 
tigation, I beg to report as follows :— 
“ On the 12th ult. Professor Axe handed to me a basket, in 
which I found six parcels and part of a linseed cake. The baskets 
were respectively labelled:— 
“ ‘ A.—Sample of Indian meal and grains as used before disease 
broke out, but washed.’ 
“ £ B.—Sample of earth similar to that used for covering the 
grains; residue of i bushel after repeated washing.’ 
“ 1 C.—Sample of Indian meal after repeated washing, that sent 
being residue of about i bushel.’ 
“ ‘ D.—Sample of grains after repeated washing of a basketful.’ 
“ ‘ E.—Sample of the heap of Indian meal and grains used just 
before disease appeared, after washing ; residue of one cow’s feed, 
i.e. about a bucketful.’ 
