BEAXY IN SHEEP. 299 



is attended with the development of an anthrax poison in 

 the summer months, where the usual temperature is far 

 higher than in Scotland. Nevertheless, even abroad, shep- 

 herds have faith in ' braxy mutton.' Gasparin* says, " Les 

 chairs du inouton mort du charbon interne ne sont mulle- 

 ment dangereuses guand Familial a & saigne' au moment de 

 sa mort, et qu'elles sont cuites: on en fait journellement 

 usage dans nos fermes. En Languedoc, les bergers se font 

 appreter quelquefois le charbon des betes a laine et disent 

 que c'est un morceau delicat." Gasparin, however, says in a 

 foot note: "Au moment ou je termine ceci, j'apprends 

 qu'une femme ayant saignd un mouton mort du bescle, et 

 ayant laisse' tomber deux seules gouttes de sang sur sa main, 

 il est survenue deux pustules malignes aux endroits ou elles 

 etaient tombe'es. Le mouton qui a e'te' mange*, n'a causd 

 aucun accident." 



Treatment of the Disease. The rapid manner in which 

 animals are attacked precludes in many instances the adoption 

 of remedies ; but, in the event of a case being seen in the 

 early stage, the sheep should be moved briskly along, and 

 bleeding should be resorted to as promptly as possible. It is 

 often found that blood flows tardily, and like a thick tarry 

 liquid, so that the common method of cutting the ears and 

 tail to draw blood is a very unsatisfactory one. It will 

 always be found that sheep will not lose much blood without 

 inconvenience, and the amount to be removed should not ex- 

 ceed eight ounces. It may be drawn from the thigh or neck 

 veins, or from the veins of the face as described by Dauben- 

 ton. The absence of wool, and other facilities offered in 

 bleeding from the vein of the face, should recommend it to 

 all. The vein is opened just in front and below the sharp 

 prominent process of bone on the side of the face, and m 

 * Des Maladies Contagieuses des Betes a Laine. Paris, 1821. 



