quarter-ill
An inflammatory disease of cattle and sheep (symptomatic anthrax), causing putrefaction in one or more of the quarters. Called also quarter-evil, black quarter, etc.
| 1797 Bailey & Gulley View Agric. Northumb. 130 The loss of lambs is sometimes very considerable..from..the ‘quarter-ill’. 1834 Youatt Cattle 362 The first symptoms are those of quarter ill. 1855 Stephens Book Farm (ed. 2) II. 185 Another effect of the same febrile affection in calves in autumn is the quarter ill or evil. 1881 Gregor Folk-lore 186 When the quarter-ill made its appearance [etc.]. |