860 
ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND. 
mentioned plugging and obliteration of the veins, and various textural 
alterations in bones, muscles, and joints, and other tissues and organs of 
the body. Notwithstanding the formidable character which the disease 
in many cases assumed in the Hindlip herd, the treatment applied by Mr. 
Perrins, of Worcester, was eminently successful, as out of the 184 cases 
only one animal was lost. The curative measures adopted consisted in the 
administration of laxative medicine, followed by stimulants and antiseptic 
agents. This was supplemented with local fomentations and poulticing 
and the timely evacuation of abscesses where occasion required it. 
With regard to food, I was informed that at the time of the outbreak 
the cattle at pasture were living exclusively on grass, while those under 
cover were receiving a mixed diet, consisting of cabbage, green clover, hay, 
chaff, and linseed-cake. In the case of the calves, some were receiving 
milk direct from the dam, and others were pail-fed. It should be men¬ 
tioned here, that the milk of the diseased cows continued to be supplied 
to the calves in the usual way throughout the attack, but whether in 
any case the disease arose from this circumstance, or altogether from the 
more general cause, could not be satisfactorily ascertained. The water 
supply was derived from two sources. 
1. From ponds fed by surface water. 2. From springs at the foot of 
distant hills. Water derived from the latter source was pumped into 
large tanks, and from thence dealt out in the usual way, not only to 
animals in the yards and sheds, but likewise to many others in adjoining 
fields. In the appearance and general character of the pond water there 
was nothing unusual, and the salubrity of the spring water was affirmed 
by its somewhat extensive use in the households about the farm. The 
sanitary arrangements of the sheds and yards were all that could be 
desired. 
In endeavouring to discover the origin and nature of the disease, I had 
the advantage of conferring with Mr. H. Perrins, to whom I am indebted 
for much valuable information and assistance. I should state that prior 
to my visit to Hindlip, I had been consulted by several veterinary 
surgeons respecting similar outbreaks in various parts of the country, 
and from Mr. Wilson, veterinary surgeon, of Berkhampstead, I had re¬ 
ceived the two fore extremities of a cow which had died from the disease. 
It was admitted by all that the malady presented very exceptional 
pathological features, and various views were expressed as to its nature 
and origin. By some the malady was attributed to long immersion of 
the legs in water, by standing in ponds and pools, while others regarded 
it as a consequence of the continuous irritation of the legs by 
flies. With regard to the former, it need only be stated of the herd in 
question that in no instance had the cattle access to water beyond being 
able to drink it. In the case of the ponds referred to, they were so 
fenced round as to prevent the ingress of cattle, allowing, at the same 
time, every facility for taking water ; while the stock in the yard was in no 
way unduly exposed to moisture. The suggestion concerning flies cannot 
be thus summarily dismissed. That they were instrumental in the 
causation of the malady seems highly probable, first, on account of the 
large numbers which suddenly appeared, and infested the cattle during 
the hot weather which preceded the outbreak ; and, secondly, on account 
of the situation and nature of the primary disease. In the latter con¬ 
nection, I am informed that in every instance the disorder first mani¬ 
fested itself on the back part of the knee-joint, where flies usually con¬ 
gregate in large numbers. Having regard to the nature of the lesions, 
which were such as follow the inoculation of putrid animal matter, I was 
particular to inquire as to the possibility of any such means of infection. 
