DISEASES OF OBSCURE ORIGIN. 131 



general paralysis follow in rapid succession, lead- 

 ing to death. 



The treatment is merely preventive, such as re- 

 moval to other ranges; the introduction of new 

 blood in the form of unrelated sires, and nourish- 

 ing diet. 



3. Big Head. 



A peculiar condition found in parts of the West, 

 especially in the arid desert plains. The cause, 

 cure or prevention is absolutely unknown at the 

 present time. 



It occurs in the spring when the sheep are being 

 driven from their winter camps to the forest 

 ranges. 



The first symptom is a refusal to eat, and the 

 animal becomes restless as if in great pain. The 

 head begins to swell, and the ears become purplish 

 in color. The clinical picture much resembles pur- 

 pura hemorrhagica in the horse. Death usually 

 takes place in from several hours to a day or two, 

 although some animals recover. 



If the ears be scarified, a serous fluid, of a 

 slightly reddish color, oozes forth; the animal 

 seems to prefer to stand in water. 



The rough and ready treatment of the sheep 

 man is to throw the affected animal into a puddle 

 of water or a snow-drift, if the latter is available. 

 A certain number get well, but whether this 

 heroic treatment has anything to do with the re- 

 covery is unknown. 



4. Pustular Eruption of Lambs. 



See section on Diseases of the Lamb (page 137). 



