198 
ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND. 
Report on a Fatal Disease prevailing among Fwes } with special reference to an 
outbreak of it in the flock of Mr. Drew , Artiscomb, Tavistock. 
The disease referred to in this report, I have reason to believe, is at 
the present time somewhat widely spread: and, having regard to its 
fatal character, the rapidity with which it runs its course, and the 
special condition of the animal which it assails, I much regret that I am 
not able to furnish a fuller and more complete account of its history and 
pathology. Reports that have reached me from Devon, Cheshire, and 
Cornwall, as well as others noted in agricultural papers, testify to its 
widespread existence ; and its importance at this critical period is largely 
enhanced by the fact that it claims for its victims, in a great measure, 
the best bred and the best fed of our breeding stock. At a time like the 
present, when a large proportion of our sheep have succumbed to the 
ravages of parasitic diseases, and large numbers are still threatened 
with extermination from the same cause, the existence of such a malady 
as that referred to above in our breeding stock is a matter of serious 
concern. 
It is, however, satisfactory to be able to say that, although my know¬ 
ledge regarding the nature and origin of this disease is based on general 
observations rather than (as it should be) on a systematic and exhaus¬ 
tive inquiry, I am, nevertheless, capable of exercising a large influence 
in arresting its spread, by the application of well-timed measures based 
on hygienic and prophylactic considerations. 
In every instance that has come to my knowledge in the past, as well 
as the present, all attempts to cure have met with a negative result, both 
in the practice of our most eminent scientific veterinarians, as well as 
that of intelligent and experienced practical shepherds, notwithstanding 
that every class of medicine has been employed, and every variety of 
curative treatment adopted. The suddenness of its inception, and the 
rapidity with which it runs its course and destroys life, constitute the 
chief features of the affection. In numerous instances a few minutes 
suffice to kill, so that animals apparently well at night are found dead in 
the morning. In the most protracted cas^s it seldom extends over from 
three to four hours, and such may be regarded as cases of exceptional 
duration. 
So far as I am able to speak from past and present experience, ewes 
are principally its victims at this season of the year, and more especially 
such as are in a well-nourished and thriving condition. The prevailing 
fear of “ rot ” has prompted the universal adoption of a too liberal 
feeding as a means of protection against its ravages, and in some measure 
this fact may possibly serve to explain the origin of the malady. 
Hitherto my information on the present epizootic is chiefly obtained 
from upland farms, where the staple pasture is grass, but the malady 
cannot by any means be said to be altogether confined to such situations, 
nor perhaps especially to grass feeding. 
With reference to the outbreak of this disease at Artiscomb, it may 
be stated that Mr. Drew’s flock originally consisted of 358 sheep, com¬ 
prising 138 breeding ewes, 65 wethers, 54 draught ewes, 113 lambs, and 
a miscellaneous lot of 5, in which were included some rams, hoggs, &c. 
They are all of the Dartmoor breed, display excellent quality and 
condition, and some of them are known to fame in connection with the 
agricultural exhibitions. Mr. Drew’s farm is principally devoted to 
grass culture, with a considerable area of old clover layer, and a small 
percentage of roots. During the summer the ewes were pastured 
