LAMB DISEASE IN AMERICA. 331 



LAMB DISEASE IN AMERICA. 



In the spring of 1862, the lambs in all the counties ot 

 New York suffered severely from a peculiar malady, described 

 by Mr Randall, in the "Albany Country Gentleman."* The 

 lambs affected had the appearance of a general want of 

 physical development at the time of their birth. Their bodies 

 were small and lean, or if not, they had a peculiarly flaccid 

 feeling, as if the muscles had not attained their normal con- 

 sistency. The bones generally lacked the usual size. The 

 back and neck were thin, the legs slender, the head small, 

 and the face oftentimes singularly attenuated. When to 

 these appearances was added the not unusual one of a coating 

 of wool and hair much thinner and shorter than usual, the 

 resemblance to a prematurely born animal was striking. 



" Some were brought forth so feeble that they never rose 

 to suck. A portion survived for a few moments or hours ; 

 others lingered along from two or three days to a week. 

 They were usually dull, made but languid efforts to feed 

 themselves if their dams were at all shy, and many of them 

 would scarcely follow their dams about the yards or fields. 

 Those that survived required extra care, and very few of 

 them attained ordinary size and plumpness, however plenti- 

 ful their supply of milk. 



"Congenital goitre in some instances accompanied the 

 preceding symptoms. In several flocks, a few of the lambs 

 were born with their heads and necks so drawn down, and 

 occasionally also twisted sideways, by the action of the 

 muscles, that they could only suck with difficulty, and by 

 assuming the most unusual postures. In the worst cases, 

 the lambs starved if they did not receive assistance from the 



* See the Edinburgh Veterinary Review, vol. v. 1863, page 105. 



