View source for Murrain

{{Short description|Umbrella term for deadly disease, especially of livestock}}
{{Distinguish|text=[[Moraine]], a geological feature}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2025}}

The word "'''murrain'''" {{IPAc-en|ˈ|m|ʌr|ɪ|n}}<ref>{{Cite book |title=Collins English Dictionary |publisher=HarperCollins |year=2018|isbn=978-0-008-28437-4|edition=13th|chapter=murrain}}</ref> (like an archaic use of the word "'''distemper'''") is an antiquated term covering various infectious diseases affecting [[cattle]] and [[sheep]].<ref>
{{cite web
|url         =http://www.taa.org.uk/TAA/murrain.htm
|title       =The Murrain Now Known As Rinderpest
|publisher   =taa.org.uk
|accessdate  =2008-07-28
|last        =Scott
|first       =Gordon
|url-status     =dead
|archiveurl  =https://web.archive.org/web/20080828122919/http://www.taa.org.uk/TAA/murrain.htm
|archivedate =28 August 2008
|df          =dmy-all
}}
</ref> The word originates from [[Middle English]] ''moreine'' or ''moryne'', in parallel to Late Latin {{lang | la | morina}} ("plague"), a probable derivative of Latin {{lang | la | mori}} ("to die").<ref>
{{oed | murrain}}
</ref><ref>
{{cite web
|url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/murrain
|title=murrain - Dictionary.com
|publisher=dictionary.com
|access-date=2008-10-15
}}
</ref> 

The word "murrain", much like the word [[wikt:pestilence#English| "pestilence"]], did not refer to a specific disease but rather served as an umbrella term for what veterinary science now recognises as a number of different diseases with high [[morbidity]] and mortality, such as [[rinderpest]], [[Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae|erysipelas]], [[foot-and-mouth disease]], [[anthrax]], and [[streptococcus]] infections. Some of these livestock diseases [[zoonosis|can also affect humans]]. The term "murrain" also referred to an [[epidemic]] of such a disease.

There were major sheep- and cattle-murrains in Europe during the 14th century, which, combined with the [[Little Ice Age]], resulted in the [[Great Famine of 1315–1317]], weakening the population of Europe before the onset of the [[Black Death]] in 1348.<ref>{{cite book |last =Jordan |first =William C. |title =The Great Famine: Northern Europe in the Early Fourteenth Century |publisher =Princeton University Press|year =1996|isbn =0-691-05891-1}}</ref>

==Biblical references==
The term ''murrain'' is also used in some [[Bible]] translations relating to the [[Plagues of Egypt|fifth plague]] brought upon Egypt.
<ref>
{{cite web
|url=http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/murrain.html
|title=Murrain (WebBible Encyclopedia) - ChristianAnswers.Net
|publisher=christiananswers.net
|accessdate=2008-07-28
}}
</ref>

[[Book of Exodus|Exodus]] 9:3: "Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain."

[[File:033.The Fifth Plague. Livestock Disease.jpg|thumb|290px|right|[[Gustave Doré]]'s "The Murrain of Beasts" (or "The Fifth Plague: Livestock Disease"), one of his many [[Gustave Doré's illustrations for La Grande Bible de Tours|illustrations for  ''La Grande Bible de Tours'']] (1866).]]

"Pestilence", which is mentioned 47 times in 46 verses of the Bible, can be translated "murrain" by [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologists]].
[Enhanced Strong's Lexicon].
see [[Psalms]] 91:3 KJV

The word in Hebrew is דֶּבֶר "dever" (Strong's #01698), derived from the primitive root "dabar" in the sense of "to destroy."

==Superstitions==
In some parts of [[Scotland]], [[force-fire]] was believed to cure it. In some remote regions of [[Cumbria]], [[England]], and the [[Isle of Man]], murrain is still used as a term for a [[curse]], specifically one placed upon land or livestock. It is believed that the medieval term has, by a process of [[syncreticism]] become synonymous with [[witchcraft]].<ref>
{{cite web
|url         =http://www.northernearth.co.uk/86cure.htm
|title       =Northern Earth - Medical Care, Magical Cure
|publisher   =northernearth.co.uk
|accessdate  =2008-07-28
|last        =Billingsley
|first       =John
|url-status  =dead
|archiveurl  =https://archive.today/20060925024416/http://www.northernearth.co.uk/86cure.htm
|archivedate =25 September 2006
|df          =dmy-all
}}
</ref> This usage inspired the [[Associated TeleVision|ATV]] television play, ''Murrain'', written by [[Isle of Man|Manxman]] [[Nigel Kneale]], which was broadcast on 27 July 1975 as part of the channel's  ''Against the Crowd'' drama strand.

==Distemper among cattle in England, 1745–1757==
{{Infobox UK legislation
| short_title = {{visible anchor|Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1745}}
| type = Act
| parliament = Parliament of Great Britain
| long_title = An Act to enable His Majesty to make Rules, Orders, and Regulations, more effectually to prevent the spreading of the Distemper which now rages amongst the Horned Cattle in this Kingdom.
| year = 1746
| citation = [[19 Geo. 2]]. c. 5
| territorial_extent = [[Great Britain]]
| royal_assent = 13 February 1746
| commencement = 17 October 1745{{efn|name=StartOfSession|Start of session.}}
| repeal_date = 15 July 1867
| amendments = {{ubli|Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1746|[[Insolvent Debtors Relief, etc. Act 1747]]|[[Continuance of Laws, etc. Act 1748]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1749]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1751]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1754]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1755]]|[[Cattle Distemper, Vagrancy, Marshalsea Prison, etc. Act 1753]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1757]]}}
| repealing_legislation = [[Statute Law Revision Act 1867]]
| status = Repealed
| original_text = https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=wVQDAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA398
| collapsed = yes
}}
{{Infobox UK legislation
| short_title = {{visible anchor|Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1746}}
| type = Act
| parliament = Parliament of Great Britain
| long_title = An Act to continue, explain, and amend, an Act made in the last Session of Parliament, intituled, "An Act to enable His Majesty to make Rules, Orders, and Regulations, more effectually to prevent the spreading of the Distemper which now rages amongst the Horned Cattle in this Kingdom."
| year = 1747
| citation = [[20 Geo. 2]]. c. 4
| territorial_extent = [[Great Britain]]
| royal_assent = 5 February 1747
| commencement = 18 November 1746{{efn|name=StartOfSession}}
| repeal_date = 15 July 1867
| amends = Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1745
| amendments = {{ubli|[[Insolvent Debtors Relief, etc. Act 1747]]|[[Continuance of Laws, etc. Act 1748]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1749]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1751]]|[[Cattle Distemper, Vagrancy, Marshalsea Prison, etc. Act 1753]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1754]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1755]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1757]]}}
| repealing_legislation = [[Statute Law Revision Act 1867]]
| status = Repealed
| original_text = https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=5lQDAAAAQAAJ&pg=RA1-PA30
| collapsed = yes
}}
{{Infobox UK legislation
| short_title           = {{visible anchor|Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1749}}
| type                  = Act
| parliament            = Parliament of Great Britain
| long_title            = An Act to continue several Laws, for preventing the spreading of the Distemper which now rages amongst the Horned Cattle, and for empowering His Majesty to prohibit the killing of Cow-Calves.
| year                  = 1750
| citation              = [[23 Geo. 2]]. c. 23
| territorial_extent    = [[Great Britain]]
| royal_assent          = 12 April 1750
| commencement          = 16 November 1749{{efn|name=StartOfSession}}
| repeal_date           = 15 July 1867
| amends                = {{ubli|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1745]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1746]]}}
| amendments            = {{ubli|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1751]]|[[Cattle Distemper, Vagrancy, Marshalsea Prison, etc. Act 1753]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1754]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1755]]}}
| repealing_legislation = [[Statute Law Revision Act 1867]]
| related_legislation   = {{ubli|[[Insolvent Debtors Relief, etc. Act 1747]]|[[Continuance of Laws, etc. Act 1748]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1757]]}}
| status                = Repealed
| original_text         = https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=rLsuAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA63
| collapsed             = yes
}}
{{Infobox UK legislation
| short_title           = {{visible anchor|Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1751}}
| type                  = Act
| parliament            = Parliament of Great Britain
| long_title            = An Act to continue, explain, and amend, several Laws, more effectually to prevent the spreading of the Distemper which now rages amongst the Horned Cattle in this Kingdom.
| year                  = 1752
| citation              = [[25 Geo. 2]]. c. 31
| territorial_extent    = [[Great Britain]]
| royal_assent          = 26 March 1752
| commencement          = 14 November 1751{{efn|name=StartOfSession}}
| repeal_date           = 15 July 1867
| amends                = {{ubli|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1745]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1746]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1749]]}}
| amendments            = {{ubli|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1754]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1755]]|[[Cattle Distemper, Vagrancy, Marshalsea Prison, etc. Act 1753]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1757]]}}
| repealing_legislation = [[Statute Law Revision Act 1867]]
| related_legislation   = {{ubli|[[Insolvent Debtors Relief, etc. Act 1747]]|[[Continuance of Laws, etc. Act 1748]]}}
| status                = Repealed
| original_text         = https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=rLsuAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA371
| collapsed             = yes
}}
{{Infobox UK legislation
| short_title           = {{visible anchor|Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1754}}
| type                  = Act
| parliament            = Parliament of Great Britain
| long_title            = An Act to continue several Laws, relating to the Distemper now raging among the Horned Cattle in this Kingdom.
| year                  = 1754
| citation              = [[27 Geo. 2]]. c. 14
| territorial_extent    = [[Great Britain]]
| royal_assent          = 6 April 1754
| commencement          = 15 November 1753{{efn|name=StartOfSession}}
| repeal_date           = 15 July 1867
| amends                = {{ubli|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1745]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1746]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1749]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1751]]}}
| amendments            = {{ubli|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1755]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1757]]}}
| repealing_legislation = [[Statute Law Revision Act 1867]]
| related_legislation   = {{ubli|[[Insolvent Debtors Relief, etc. Act 1747]]|[[Continuance of Laws, etc. Act 1748]]|[[Cattle Distemper, Vagrancy, Marshalsea Prison, etc. Act 1753]]}}
| status                = Repealed
| original_text         = https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=a7wuAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA183
| collapsed             = yes
}}
{{Infobox UK legislation
| short_title           = {{visible anchor|Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1755}}
| type                  = Act
| parliament            = Parliament of Great Britain
| long_title            = An Act to continue several Laws relating to the Distemper now raging among the Horned Cattle in this Kingdom.
| year                  = 1755
| citation              = [[28 Geo. 2]]. c. 18
| territorial_extent    = [[Great Britain]]
| royal_assent          = 25 April 1755
| commencement          = 14 November 1754{{efn|name=StartOfSession}}
| repeal_date           = 15 July 1867
| amends                = {{ubli|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1745]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1746]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1749]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1751]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1754]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1757]]}}
| amendments            = {{ubli|[[Continuance of Laws Act 1756]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1757]]}}
| repealing_legislation = [[Statute Law Revision Act 1867]]
| related_legislation   = {{ubli|[[Insolvent Debtors Relief, etc. Act 1747]]|[[Continuance of Laws, etc. Act 1748]]|[[Cattle Distemper, Vagrancy, Marshalsea Prison, etc. Act 1753]]}}
| status                = Repealed
| original_text         = https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=a7wuAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA289
| collapsed             = yes
}}
{{Infobox UK legislation
| short_title           = {{visible anchor|Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1757}}
| type                  = Act
| parliament            = Parliament of Great Britain
| long_title            = An Act more effectually to prevent the spreading of the Distemper now raging among the Horned Cattle in this Kingdom.
| year                  = 1757
| citation              = [[30 Geo. 2]]. c. 20
| territorial_extent    = [[Great Britain]]
| royal_assent          = 28 June 1757
| commencement          = 2 December 1756{{efn|name=StartOfSession}}
| repeal_date           = 15 July 1867
| amends                = {{ubli|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1745]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1746]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1749]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1751]]|[[Cattle Distemper, Vagrancy, Marshalsea Prison, etc. Act 1753]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1754]]|[[Distemper Amongst Cattle Act 1755]]}}
| repealing_legislation = {{ubli|Statute Law Revision Act 1867}}
| related_legislation   = {{ubli|[[Insolvent Debtors Relief, etc. Act 1747]]|[[Continuance of Laws, etc. Act 1748]]}}
| status                = Repealed
| original_text         = https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=ja43AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA77
| collapsed             = yes
}}

In those years, acts of the Parliament of Great Britain were passed to "more effectually to prevent the spreading of distemper which now rages amongst the horned cattle in this kingdom".<ref>For example, {{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.69034/page/n5/mode/1up|title=The Statutes at Large: from the 23rd to the 26th Year of King George II|publisher=Charles Bathurst|year=1765|editor-last=Pickering|editor-first=Danby|editor-link=Danby Pickering|volume=20|location=Cambridge|access-date=28 January 2020|chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.69034/page/n403/mode/1up|chapter=Cap. XXXI|page=371}}</ref>

{{quote|For at least a dozen years, 1745-1757, a murrain made such tragic inroads upon the cattle of England that the virtual extinction of entire herds was frequently recorded. Within the period of greatest mortality, at least half a million cattle perished from the disease or were killed by official orders.<ref>{{cite journal|author-last1=Mullett|author-first1=Charles F.|title=The Cattle Distemper in Mid-Eighteenth-Century England|journal=Agricultural History|volume=20|number=3|year=1946|pages=144–165|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3739806|jstor=3739806|access-date=8 December 2020}}</ref>|source=''The Cattle Distemper in Mid-Eighteenth-Century England'', Charles F. Mullett, Department of History, [[University of Missouri]]}}

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Wiktionary}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Curses]]
[[Category:Livestock]]
[[Category:Ruminant diseases]]