202 •Queries and Answers* 



Art. II. Queries and Answers. 



The Rot in Sheep; what are Us Causes? — Dr. Brown (p. 98.) appears to 

 doubt the possibility of sheep becoming jaundiced except by the obstruc- 

 tion of the ducts of the liver, and conceives it cannot be demonstrated 

 that bile is thrown back upon the system : for in the early stages there 

 is no obstruction to the bile ; and in the latter, what little is secreted is 

 intercepted by the jflukes. Dr. Brown is, doubtless, aware of the difficult 

 pathology of the liver, but cannot be a stranger to the facts that jaundice is 

 produced by derangement of the bowels alone, by inflammation of the lower 

 portion of the right lung, by inflammation of the liver itself, and that some- 

 times only a small portion, &c. &c. The present state of science appears 

 deficient in the production of facts to disperse the obscurity of the causes 

 of jaundice in ever}^ case; although in the present, I think, there is not any 

 difficulty, jaundice being produced by the absorption of bile into the cir- 

 culating fluids, and without the obstruction of any foreign body. I think 

 that the tinge of yellow, or jaundiced appearance of the eyes, is really the 

 first and earliest symptom (generally speaking) " which guides the shep- 

 herd to the unwelcome truth." The " peculiar whiteness of the eyes " is 

 only secondary, as the following fact will prove : — A large flock of sheep, 

 the whole of the summer of 1830, ran in a dry forest pasture; they had 

 every appearance of health, and were in excellent condition. In the autumn, 

 an indiscriminate part of them were turned into a meadow pasture of luxu- 

 riant growth ; and in a short time the shepherd observed that some of them 

 had become listless, and had lost their usual vigour and activity ; that they 

 eat but little, were generally lying down, and that their eyes were dim and 

 yellow ; and that these sheep were not so soon roused by the accustomed 

 summons of his dog as those which had not yet felt the change of pasture 

 (as he expresses it), and whose constitution was stronger. They remained 

 in this state from fourteen to twenty-four days ; and the yellowness of the 

 eyes, in the course of this time, gradually decreased, and at length became 

 of a pearly white. The whole of this part of the flock went through the 

 same symptoms, while those sheep which remained upon the dry forest 

 pasture continued in perfect health. Examining the liver of one about six 

 weeks after the change of pasture, it was found to be increased in size; 

 and in various parts to be studded with small tubercles, varying in size from 

 a mustard seed to that of a pea, of a dirty yellow colour, and of the consist- 

 ence of curd or soft cheese, and with a few flukes (Fasciola hepatica) in 

 some of the ducts; in the liver of another of the sheep there was an abscess 

 containing about 4oz. of matter, and in that also only a few flukes. I might 

 multiply cases, but my chief object is their application to practical utility ; 

 and my particular enquiry is, " What are the causes producing so destruc- 

 tive a malady ?" If, as I have stated (Vol. IV. p. 472.), it is the loss of the 

 stimulating qualities of the grass, arising from the quickness of its growth, 

 that produces derangement of the chylopoietic viscera [chyle-secreting 

 organs], this, the first step in the disease, is of primary importance ; and 

 the simple remedies are, the removal of the sheep to a drier pasture and 

 stronger food, and giving a few doses of saline aperients, with any bitter 

 infusion,* as a stimulating tonic, and mild mercurials to promote the secre- 

 tion of bile. I wish it to be perfectly understood that this is not for the 

 destruction of the flukes ; nor do I think, in the early stage, any are found 

 in the liver. To know the cause producing disease I consider of the 

 greatest importance, particularly in the present instance, as such varied and 

 absurd opinions on it are entertained by the farmers themselves; and until 

 the cause is pointed cut, they will continue to expose their flocks to the 

 exciting cause, from the want of knowing better. — D. N. Worksop, Jan. 17. 

 1832.. 



