LICKED BEEF. 
23 
part to show me how much the condition was altered from that of the 
healthy portions.—E d. 
The hide in this case, and in the others in which pieces were sent 
to show the condition when badly infested, was a truly loathsome 
sight. The figure at p. 18 shows just a small piece with the warble- 
cells as they appear on the lower surface when the hide has been 
removed, but in this case only half the full size. Those whose busi¬ 
ness connects them with observation of this state of things know well 
what a sight a much-infested, newly-flayed hide is. Those who do 
not may imagine the inner side scattered over along the region of the 
loins or upper part of the back with a quantity of loose baggy-looking 
lumps, which, if watched, will show the shape of the thick fleshy 
maggots, up to about an inch in length, wriggling about within, and 
in some cases breaking out through the thin tissues of the lower part 
of the hide. With this comes the flow of the filthy matter they have 
been feeding on, and the sight, accompanied by all the various dis¬ 
colorations from inflammation, ulceration, and other wretched circum¬ 
stances, is, in the words of the heads of one of our tanning firms, 
“ truly sickening.” 
In answer to an enquiry of mine whether the alteration in the 
carcase, called “licked beef,” takes place only where the beast can 
lick the place, Mr. Pearson replied:—“It will take place whether 
the beast can lick it or not, as there is the irritation continually 
going on; of course licking aggravates the case, and makes the carcase 
worse.” 
Much communication on this subject passed through my hands 
during the investigation ; but without entering on all these, the above 
observations and just the two following short notes, with which I was 
favoured, are quite enough to show the nature of this diseased con¬ 
dition consequent on warble-attack. 
The first is from Mr. Joseph Wing, hide broker, of Pen Street, 
Boston, who noted from his own observations as to condition of warbled 
beasts :—“ The effects are something as you state. There is a jelly or 
watery substance on the back of the carcase when dressed, on and 
between the rind or thick skin and the bone of the beast.” 
The following note was given me at the beginning of April by Mr. 
John Risdon, of Golsoncott Farm, Washford, Taunton (auctioneer to 
the Devon Cattle Breeders’ Society) :—“ I received your communication 
on my way to Taunton Market on Saturday ; one butcher, well known 
to me, and a man of great experience, told me he killed a bullock a 
few days before so discoloured by licking the warble-grubs that he had 
to scrape off nearly the whole of the spine (fat) to render the carcase 
presentable for sale.” 
To these may be added the following detailed note turning partly 
