54 SMALL-POX IN SHEEP. 



The disease is observed to assume very irregular forms : 



Firstly, The fever may be so intense as to destroy without 

 the manifestation of any eruption. The lymphatic glands 

 swell, ecchymoses occur in the mucous membranes ; the pros- 

 tration is great; there is profuse diarrhoea, and intolerable 

 foetor of all the secretions. 



Secondly, There may be a general eruption over the mucous 

 membrane, especially of the respiratory and digestive sys- 

 tems. This is attended with marked symptoms of suffoca- 

 tion. The discharge from the nose tends to block up the air 

 passages, and the animal is seen to breathe through the mouth, 

 having its tongue protruded, and of a bluish colour. 



Thirdly, The vesicles may fill with blood. At other times 

 emphysematous symptoms appear, and the vesicles are found 

 Billed with the gaseous products of decomposition. 



There is much irritation of the skin wherever scabs are 

 forming, and if these are prematurely rubbed off, ulceration, 

 sloughing, caries of cartilage and bone are apt to supervene. 

 Many members of a flock are rendered lame by eruptions 

 implicating joints and inducing acute arthritis, or affecting 

 the feet, and causing the throwing off of the hoofs. 



The duration of the disease extends over 20 days or a 

 month. In confluent cases, death occurs about the 8th 'or 

 9th days after the eruptions, and usually before any signs of 

 the formation of lymph have occurred. Death may occur 

 much earlier and much later; early, from the intensity of the 

 fever, and late, from complications in the course of the dis- 

 ease. 



Post-mortem Appearances. Body much swollen, and ex- 

 haling a fetid smell. The eruption is seen on the parts 

 affected. The eyes and nose are closed with scabs and dried 

 purulent discharge. The wool is easily detached, or is falling 

 off. On skinning the animal, circumscribed red solid nodules 



