The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1862-10-14 00:00:00

t griculturt.

PROTIMBOR 811102iDa ON THE OUTBRIAK OF SMALL-
to IN SIIEEP.—On Monday afternoon the introduc-
tory address to the forthcoming session of the Royal
Veterinary College, Camden Town, was delivered by
Professor Simonds, Ile observed that, although small-
pox in sheep was a disease unknown during the pre-
sent generation in this country previous to 1847, it was
not uncommon in many of the great sheep distriote on
the Continent. In the case of the human small-pox we
ed s simple, efficacious, and an almost altogether
ra=se means of prevention in vaccination ; bet vac-
cination afforded nd protection to sheep. Where the
separation of the affected animals from the healthy
ones proved insufficient to stay the disease there re-
mained only inoculation, which he recommended as
the most efficacious safeguard. The disease had been
introdeced by foreign sheep sold in Smithfield market;
It had spreed rapidly, and committed frightful ravages
in several omintfes dtiring the years 1847, '4B, and '5O.
Since 1850 the malady had net been beard of among
our flocks until July last, when it broke out at Ailing-
ton, near Devizes. Neither the shepherds or the pro-
prietors were satisfied as to its real nature until his
(the professor's) aid had been sought, and at that time
many stniniale had been lost. How it was communicated
to Mr. Parry's flock was still • mystery, but it prickly
spread to Neighbouring flocks, and subsequently ex-
tended to neighbouring connties. There was a good
hope—thanks to the preteetire meaveree adopted—that
the malady had been stayed in the vicinity where it had
first showed itself, but as yet it would be premature to
express any decided opinion on the probable farther
course of the outbreak. The nature of the disease and
the period of the year alike forbade a hasty conclusion.
He weld not conceal from himself the probability—a
probability Wight by bitter experience—that the dis-
ease might still spread More widely, and that the
visitation might ultimately prove as tabu:ll4one as in
1847 to 1850. The professor then at some length die-
cussed the economical and social aspect of the question.
Premising that the value of the flocks of this country
amounted to many millions sterling he said the loss by
death ranged from one-fifth to one-half, or even more
of an infected flock. This, however, was but part of
the lose The farmer had to bear the effects of the
disease on the breeding and rearing of lambs and the
fattening of stock. Then, grave as was the sacrifice to
individuals it was not the less so to the whole commu- I
nity, who suffered frem a diminished supply of mutton
and its consequent increase in price. The rising of
butcher's men to the extent of a penny or a halfpenny
in the pound world as surely tell a fatal story to the
Registrar-General's return of mortality. A large por-
tion of our population at the beet lived but a shade
or two above the point of starvation ; a still larger por-
tion were insufficiently fed ; and the outbreak of •
malady in sheep might often make the differential
element in the outbreak or not of epidemic disease
among the people. It was from this point of view that
they could obtain the most just ideas of the true dignity
of veterinary science. It was from this point of view,
also, that they obtained the most accurate views of
the veterinary practitioner's duties, for it was upon the
progress of veterinary science, and the skilful exercise
of the veterinary art, that • community had to depend
for its chief safety from the evils arising from diseases
like that which had appeared among the flocks of Wilt-
shire.

"TEA Cfinorroonsevt."—" Thus ended the race of
1862 between the rival universities for the • Blue
Biband of the Thames,' Oxford having won two years
in succession easily. As great disparity exists in the
'time' given by several of our oontemporaries, we
bare no hesitation in saying that ours may be relied on
as correct, having been taken by Benson's Chronograph
Watoli."—Sporting Life, 16th April, 1862. "While
speaking or Benson's monster clock, it may not be out
of place to remark that • delicate instrument of his
manufacture, the' Chronograph' was brought into use
at Epsom on the Derby Day, and proved that the rue
was run in 2 minutee 45 seconds 5-tenths." City Press,
7th June, 1862. "Daring the day the Exhibition Tent
WAS open to visitors. There were some very beautiful
objects exhibited, and amongst the most interesting a
Chronograph, invented by Mr. Benson, of Ludgate-
hill. It is designed to mark the time of an occurrence
to the tenth part of a second, which can be done with-
out taking the eye off the object observed. The instru-
ment indicates the tilne in the ordinary way, appearing
at first glance as an ordinsoy seconds watch, but simul-
taneously with the Pilling of a string, which passes
from the movement to the outside of the case, a clearly-
defined dot of ink is deposited on the dial, without in
the slightest degree'aPcting the time-keeping, and the
1 ink is so prepared as to wipe off readily."—Merning
Advertiser, 14th, June, 1862. (Begin-intim:l of the Rifle
Meeting at Wimbledon.) Benson's Watches, " perfec-
' tion mechanism," are supplied at Mickel vagping from
3to r guineas, in silver, and in geld trete to 100
gu"itint. Benson's "Illustrated ramiAllet," 701. post
free." 33 wild 34, Ludgate-11W, V.C.
In 9. • :-.•