294 BEAXY IN SHEEP. 



aware of any experiments having been performed as to the 

 inoculation of the disease, but as causes favouring the 

 development of the malady are prevalent in the winter months, 

 this may be a sufficient reason for the absence of any virus, 

 and the safety with which the animals may be eaten by 

 human beings. Braxy mutton is not sold, but ' braxy hams ' 

 can be seen hanging up, and many being smoked in the farm- 

 houses of sheep-rearing districts. 



Change from poor to rich living endangers the life of the 

 sheep ; but it is also a steady advance in condition, and espe- 

 cially when animals are confined for space, such as when they 

 are folded on turnips or enclosed on a rich pasture, and being 

 allowed rich artificial nutriment, in order to be early fit for 

 slaughter, that favours the development of braxy. 



The sheep fed on turnips in Fife, East-Lothian, and other 

 counties, always suffer at the time when they are first receiv- 

 ing forced food, and when they are nearly ready for the 

 butcher. In the first instance, the sheep is submitted to a 

 very sudden change, and, in the second, to a system which is 

 beyond the powers of its organism. 



There is no doubt that the fundamental cause of braxy is 

 the rich, dry, and blood-forming food; but there are many 

 accidental causes which prove exciting, or determine the 

 attack. The most strange and interesting is the influence of 

 the full moon. Many of the old writers allude to this as 

 affecting animals to no small extent ; but we do not pretend 

 that any extraordinary influence difficult of explanation 

 should be attributed to the moon. Its operation is simple. 

 The shepherd well knows that, with a full moon, he always 

 has a lot of trouble with his sheep. They rove about and 

 stray, and they do not, as on dark nights, lie down, rest, 

 ruminate, and digest the food they have collected during the 

 day. The reverse happens; for, with greed peculiar to it, 



