276 ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND. 
In numerous examples the heart is flaccid and its tissue soft, 
but beyond these no changes of note are to be detected. When 
uterine complications result in blood contamination (septicemia), 
blood blotches and petechiae are invariably found beneath the 
lining membrane of the left cavities. 
In the brain the chief lesions consist of engorgement of the 
large vessels at its base, general congestion of the coverings, 
oedema of the nerve tissue, and in some cases serous effusions into 
the sub-arachnoid spaces. 
From a full consideration of all the facts relating to the malady 
in question, I have arrived at the conclusion that ic is due to the 
debilitating influence of exposure, operating through a long and 
severe winter, on animals subjected to a defective and illiberal 
dietary system. This conclusion is based especially on the 
following observations: 
1. That the older and more weakly ewes are most frequently 
its victims. 
2. That all those animals which are constitutionally weak, or 
affected with organic disease, whereby the nutritive functions of 
the body are impaired, are the first to succumb to the malady. 
3. That such of the ewes as are pregnant with twin lambs, 
and on whose system the greatest demand has consequently been 
made for the materials of the growth and life of the young, are 
most susceptible to the disease. 
4. That the period at which the disorder occurs, viz. seven to 
fourteen days before parturition, marks the failure on the part of 
the system to sustain the organic activity which is then required 
to consummate fcetal development and prepare for parturition. 
5. That the outbreaks on which this conclusion is based prove 
that the dietary system was manifestly defective when considered 
in relation to the trying conditions of the present seasons. 
6. That whenever the restorative system of treatment has been 
adopted the disease has been arrested. 
In considering the influence of the present season in regard to 
this affection, it must be remembered that the mere outward ex¬ 
posure to cold and wet is by no means the only element of mischief. 
On grass pastures, as well as in the turnip fold, a great thickness of 
snow, has not unfrequently had to be removed by the sheep before 
food could be obtained, and in the former case this has necessi¬ 
tated long-continued exertion and a corresponding degree of 
fatigue. Moreover, every mouthful of food has been charged 
with an amount of moisture which must have contributed largely 
to render thin and watery, and otherwise to spoil and reduce the 
nutritive properties of the blood. The malady may be said to 
belong to that great group of disorders which annually produce 
such appalling waste in our flocks and herds, and consequently a 
paucity of home supply of meat. Recognising this, the principles 
to be studied are clearly those which belong to the art of hygiene. 
Recent experience has afforded abundant confirmation of this 
view of the causes of the malady. 
