SMALL POX. 345 



sheep in New York, and, I think, in all the Northern States. 

 Sometimes a flock in winter exhibit considei'able itching about 

 their under parts, and scratch them with their feet, pulling 

 out the wool. This yields to an application of tobacco-water. 

 I would suggest that sulphur ointment be tested as a remedy 

 in these minor eruptive diseases. Number 3, among the scab 

 remedies given above, would also seem to be a promising 

 remedy for them. But if farmers will raise their own tobacco, 

 it would probably leave nothing to desire, either on the score 

 of efficacy or economy. Certain eruptions of the face, lips, 

 &c., have been mentioned at pages 269, 271. 



SMALL Pox, OK VARIOLA OVINA. When Messrs. Youatt 

 and Spooner wrote their works on the sheep, this fearful 

 malady had been long known on the Continent, but had never 

 visited Great Britain. It however appeared in England, in 

 1847 I think, and committed desolating ravages. It has not 

 been introduced into the United States, but as no one knows 

 how soon it may be by the same means by which that 

 malady might be introduced among human subjects its 

 history and treatment deserve special attention. 



La Clavelee, as it is termed in France, attacks sheep at 

 all seasons of the year, and in all conditions but lambs 

 sooner than grown sheep. Half, and not unfrequently two- 

 thirds of a flock used to perish by it. The sheep which 

 recovers does not contract it the second time. It is communi- 

 cated by contagion, and in every possible indirect way in 

 Avhich contagion is communicated among human beings, by 

 substances which had been in contact with the subjects of 

 the disease. A flock take it by being turned on a pasture 

 which was occupied two or three months before by diseased 

 animals or by being driven over a road recently traveled 

 by them. Mr. Youatt thus condenses and translates the 

 statements of various French writers on the subject : 



" In the regular clavelee there were four distinct periods ; 

 first, the symptoms which preceded the eruption, as dullness, 

 loss of appetite and strength, and debility, marked by a 

 peculiar staggering gait, the suspension of animation, and 

 slight symptoms of fever. This continued during about four 

 days, when commenced the second period, or that of eruption. 

 Little spots of a violet color appeared in various parts, and 

 from their center there sprung pustules accompanied by more 

 or less inflammation, isolated or confluent, and with a white 

 head ; their base was well marked and distinct, they w^ere 

 15* 



