192 SHEEP diseases: 



The ordinary eiv.i2^tive diseases are aphtha, eczema of the lips, 

 and so-called carbuncle of the lip and the coronets. 



Of apidha or thrush we have two forms, viz., a benign and 

 a malignant — the former attacking lambs usually, the latter also 

 being seen in ewes, and when so occurring being propagated 

 from the ewes to the lambs by the medium of the milk. 



Mild aphtha is attributed to a fungus designated the " oidium 

 albicans." The malignant form is also probably due to a fungus. 

 The former is characterised by a whitish furred eruption in the 

 mouth, with a little fever and diarrhoea, and runs its course 

 quickly without producing any material injury to the system. 

 The latter is accompanied by malignant eruptions in the mouth 

 and on the lips, bleeding ulceration, and often great destruction, 

 with eruptions about the body, diarrhoea or dysentery, and even 

 putrefactive fever, and the formation of abscesses about the head 

 and in the lungs (pyaemia). 



These diseases are often looked upon as contagious in character ; 

 the truth is, j^robably in most cases, that they are all produced 

 by the same cause, i.e., originating outside the body. 



Eczema of the lips (eczema labialis) is usually attributed to 

 the irritation of fine particles of gravel or sand, aggravated by 

 long-continued wet ; but while recognising this as a cause, I 

 am of opinion that in some instances it is due to indigestion or 

 to stomach irritation, and probably to the irritating action of 

 pollen-grain. Of itself, eczema is a mild affection. It occurs in 

 the form of crops of small bladders (vesicles) in the lips, accom- 

 panied by some local inflammation and slight fever. If it is 

 neglected, or the cause allowed to remain in operation, serious 

 results may and do ensue. The lips become enormously swollen, 

 misshapen and tender, and the skin chapped and ulcerated ; 

 small abscesses form along the sides of the face, and in the long 

 run suppuration of the glands of the neck takes place : the 

 lungs also become the seat of abscesses, which produce death 

 and render the carcass not only useless but dangerous if con- 

 sumed by man. 



Whenever eczema makes its appearance the pasture should 

 be changed, a little laxative and alterative medicine administered 

 and some protective agent, such as carbolised lard, smeared over 

 the lips of the affected animals. 



Carbuncle is not of such frequent occurrence as eczema but 

 it is common in lambs, especially during the autumn months, in 

 certain districts. It is commonly knowna as "hair and hoof" 

 and " orf " ; and while the lesion is not strictly of a carbuncular 

 character I have retained the term on account of its use being 

 warranted by custom. 



The actual nature of the disease has not yet been explained ; 

 but, judging from its characters, I am of opinion that it is due 



