Investigation into the disease of sheep called 'scrapie' (Traberkrankheit: la tremblante) with especial reference to its association with sarcosporidiosis.

  • M'Gowan, J. P.
Date:
1914
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Investigation into the disease of sheep called 'scrapie' (Traberkrankheit: la tremblante) with especial reference to its association with sarcosporidiosis. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by UCL Library Services. The original may be consulted at UCL (University College London)

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    Dorset; but the idea of its being introduced [from other counties] by mixture implies the existence of the disease elsewhere: and indeed it is a fact too generally known by experience. Particular districts and races of sheep and at particular seasons may be more subject to it than others, but it is a disorder incident to the animal. That it has been so little treated on in our best publications on agriculture is a matter of surprise. From this footnote of the editor one gathers that the disease was probably widespread, and that there was a tendency even then to say little about it. In the ' General View of the Agriculture of Dorsetshire' in 1815 (6) there is this further reference to the presence of the goggles in that county:— The goggles have been very fatal to the sheep in this county, but it is believed this disorder is not so prevalent as was the case some years ago. Mr Balson of Athelhamptom has suffered much in his Dorset flock by this malady, and is now exchanging them for South Downs principally for that reason. The disorder is be- lieved to be infectious or hereditary, and a medical gentleman attempted in vain to discover the cause. The sheep when affected with this disease rub themselves very much and reel about as if intoxicated. No cure has been discovered for this singular malady except changing the flock be deemed a remedy. In this extract the most important point, apart from show- ing the presence of the disease in Dorsetshire in 1815, and the emphasising of the itchy condition in goggles, is the hint that the disease may be got rid off by changing the stock. This author states further (p. 417) that Mr Bridge of Win- ford believes the goggles is an hereditary disorder, but it is not very prevalent at this time [1815]. That the goggles was present in Hampshire in 1810 is seen from the following extract from the ' General View of the Agriculture of Hampshire' (7):— The goggles is a disease sometimes but by no means generally complained of: it is so well known as not to require a particular description in this place. The means of its prevention is, in the opinion of many flockmasters and shepherds, to change the rams as frequently as possible. And in Devonshire and Somerset in 1808 from the follow- ing (8):- The goggles is a disease sometimes though rarely experienced on