liver-rot

[liv-er-rot]

noun

Veterinary Pathology.

1. a disease chiefly of sheep and cattle, characterized by sluggishness, weight loss, and local damage to the liver, caused by infection from the liver fluke.

Word History and Origins

Origin of liver-rot¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

Wet land, if in grass, produces only the coarser grasses, and many subaquatic plants and mosses, which are of little or no value for pasturage; its herbage is late in spring, and fails early in autumn; the animals grazed upon it are unduly liable to disease, and sheep, especially, to foot-rot and liver-rot.

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Such is the pathological romance of the 'liver-rot'; and now what is its connection with this mysterious discovery?

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After the outbreak of 'liver-rot' above referred to, the ground landlord, a Mr. John Bellingham, instructed his solicitor to insert a clause in the lease of the beds directing that the latter should be periodically cleared and examined by an expert to make sure that they were free from the noxious water-snails.

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Mould and ergot were prevalent among plants, and flukes producing liver-rot among live stock, especially sheep.

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The disease was naturally worst on low-lying and ill-drained pastures, but occurred even on the drier uplands hitherto perfectly free from liver-rot, carried thither no doubt by the droppings of infected sheep, hares, and rabbits, and perhaps by the feet of men and animals.

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