MODERN FARRIER. 403 



perfectly in numberless instances ; and which, from 

 the ease with which it may be performed, very 

 strongly recommends itself. Yet the operation is 

 one which from reasoning on the peculiar delicacy 

 of the brain, never would have been advised. We 

 are indebted for it, it would appear, to Mr. James 

 Hogg, who tried the experiment to rid himself of 

 trouble, while a herd boy. He laid hold of every 

 sturdied sheep that came in his way, and (being 

 employed in knitting stockings) he thrust one of his 

 wires up the animal's nose, and forced it through 

 the skull into the brain. In those cases in which 

 wiring proves fatal, it is probable that the instru- 

 ment does not reach the cyst. There may, indeed, 

 be some portions of the brain more delicate than 

 others ; and, on the whole, however general the suc- 

 cess of this operation may be, it must be considered 

 as hazardous. Desperate diseases, however, require 

 desperate remedies. 



The more delicate and nice operations of trepan, 

 and extraction of the cyst, are fit only to bein the hands 

 of skilful surgeons. But with ordinary servants, the 

 bungling of either, which would be fatal, vv'ould oc- 

 cur so frequently, that only the simple operation of 

 wiring should be attempted. 



2. Red Water. 



Syynpfoms. — Red water commonly makes its ap- 

 pearance about the beginning or end of winter, and 

 first affects about the breast and belly. It consists 

 of an inflammation of the skin, that raises it into 

 blisters, which contain a thin, reddish, and watery 

 fluid. These continue for a short time, break, dis- 

 charge this matter, and are followed by a blackish 

 scab. Red water is a disease that but seldom ap- 

 pears in this countr}^ and it is almost never fatal. 



Ccmses. — When the sheep are exposed to cold or 

 wetness, the skin being fretted makes the blisters 



