360 ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND. 
been seized during the last fortnight. The seizures, from 
this cause, among sheep arriving from Ireland, have thus, 
since January 1, only amounted to a little over per 
cent., and even during the last fortnight the seizures have 
not exceeded 7 per cent. The extent and severity of this 
disease, as regards live stock, is therefore less than it has 
been represented. We learn, however, that consignments 
occasionally reach Liverpool of the carcases of sheep which 
have died from rot, such carcases being dressed in the usual 
way and intended for food. These of course are always 
seized, and two dealers who have been depositing for the 
purposes of sale such meat as human food are, we understand, 
to be brought before the magistrates this week. 
The curious parasitic disease known to farmers and dealers 
as rot, and which in its later stages produces wasting and 
dropsy, does not at first depreciate the quality of the 
carcase. Indeed, the presence of a few flukes in the liver 
are supposed to excite its action ; and certainly it is believed 
by all breeders that sheep in the early stage of rot accumulate 
flesh and fat with exceptional rapidity. 
The whole subject is one of considerable interest, and we 
hope to be able to refer to it at greater length on another 
occasion. 
ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND. 
Monthly Council, Wednesday, April 2nd, 1879. Present, 
H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, K.G., President, in the chair. 
Veterinary. 
The Hon. W. Egerton, M.P. (Chairman), reported that the 
following letter had been received and approved of:— 
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons,' 
10, Red Lion Square, W.C.; 25th March, 1879. 
Dear Sir, —The Council of the Royal College of Veterinary 
Surgeons have duly considered your letter relative to the prizes 
so liberally given by the Royal Agricultural Society for the 
encouragement of cattle pathology, and also the recommendation 
of the examiners for those prizes. 
The Council acquiesced in the recommendation, and suggests 
that the competition should be open to all veterinary surgeons 
who have passed with great credit in cattle pathology (written 
and practical), although they may not have obtained honours in 
other subjects. 
