A contribution. 
101 
in that of v. ovina microparasites, as sphero-bacteria, some of them 
taking the form of streptobacteria. As the most malignant forms, 
authors designate confluent and haemorrhagic variola, as complica¬ 
tions; the development of abscesses, variolic eruptions upon the 
mucosae, sometimes death from pyaemia, or tetanus. Young 
animals generally give way to the disease. The loss generally 
amounts to 25 to 30% of the diseased animals, in favorable cases 
6 to 15%, in the most unfavorable 50% or more. 
With regard to its aetiology it must be emphasised, that the 
contagium of v. ovina corresponds in every direction with that of 
v. humana. It is fixed and volatil (dispersing), and chiefly pre¬ 
sent in the contents of the pustules, less concentrated in the blood, 
with which successful inoculations may be made. It has an im_ 
portant degree of tenacity, and under favorable circumstances, re¬ 
tains its vitality in a stable, for a year or so. The infection takes 
place in the same way as by v. humana, that is, as a rule, by in¬ 
spiring the contagium which is suspended in the air into the lungs. 
The same is also in a high grade transmittable by means of vehicles, 
and is also capable of inoculation. Most all sheep are disposed to 
the same, on 1 to 2% remaining immune, in occasional cases, 
21 %. Convalescent animals remain immune from further attacks. 
The abiogenitic origin of v. ovina, which was in times past pretty 
generally accepted, lias, at present, scarcely as supporter. 
Ovination has been and is one of the most important prophy. 
ilactica against v. ovina, and will even in details bear a close 
comparison with the variolation, introduced in the last century as 
a prophylactum of man against v. humana. The artificially 
generated v. ovina takes a much milder course than the natural; 
sometimes however a general exanthema developes in consecpience 
of inoculation instead of the local inoculatory pustule. The loss 
by ovination (“ Stutzimpfung ”), which is generally performed on 
young sheep amount in favorable cases to only 0.03%, in unfavor, 
able cases to 0.1—0. 2—12.0%, while by the so-called peremptory 
inoculation (“Hothimpfung ”)it amounts in favorable cases 1—2% ? 
and in very unfavorable to from 10—18%. As is evident, these 
figures correspond with the results of human variolation, which 
also gives a loss of 0.3—1.0—2.0%. Self evidently the con- 
