" BRAXY " SHEEP DISEASE IN AUSTRALIA. 577 



Notwithstanding these slight differences, that the bacilli are 

 at most but different types of the same organisms is proved by 

 immunity to one implying immunity to the other as shown later. 



Results of Inoculations. 



I. tasmanian bacillus.! 



Sheep. — Sheep of various ages, even up to five years old, have 

 been used in experiments, the inoculations having almost invariably 

 been made into the subcutaneous tissues of a hind limb on the 

 inner surface of the thigh. Small doses of animal fluids containing 

 the bacilli and small doses of pure and young cultures are always 

 fatal. Death may occur within 18 hours with 0.5 cc. and with 

 even 0.2 to 0.25 cc. of cultures, generally in less than two days, 

 sometimes in less than 24 hours. The experimental disease is 

 characterised by the development of lameness and swelling of the 

 inoculated limb, the skin of which may or may not become con- 

 gested, and generally there is some formation of gas at the seat 

 of inoculation. The animal loses appetite, the temperature rises 

 to a varying degree, there is uneasiness, dulness, followed by coma 

 and death without struggling if not disturbed. 



If post-mortem examination be made soon after death no 

 tympany or frothy discharge from the nostrils will be found, 

 though both generally appear later if undisturbed. The subcu- 

 taneous and intermuscular tissue is found greatly infiltrated with 

 oedema, extending usually from the coronet to the pubis and along 

 the abdomen towards the shoulder. This oedema, unless near the 

 site of injection, where it is often blood-tinged, is usually clear and 

 semi-gelatinous. The muscles of the thigh are more or less haemorr- 

 hagic, infiltrated A\dth serosity and a certain variable amount of 

 gas. Often no odour beyond a well-marked " muttony " odour 

 is to be detected, though on incising the dark muscle a slight odour 

 suggesting that of putrefaction, but not exactly the usual odour, 

 may be detected ; it almost immediately disappears, however. 



The peritoneal, thoracic and pericardial cavities contain 

 varying amount of effusion, which may be clear or blood-tinged 

 As a rule the peritoneum contains from one-half to one pint, and 

 the thorax several ounces, but the effusion may be absent from 

 one or both cavities. 



The liver is generally contested, and may show small areas 

 of necrosis. The kidneys are more or less congested. The spleen 

 is usually somewhat pulpy and dark, though at times quite normal. 

 The abomasum may be normal, but it may show inflammatory 

 changes varying from injection of the blood-vessels to an acute 

 congestion throughout, which is rare. Frequently the congestion 



1 For details, see Veterinary Journal, Vol. 66, p. 355 (June, 1910), and Appendix. 



N^ 



