Septic&mia Hemorrhagica of the Sheep. 69 



fold should be maintained, and disinfectants may be freely used 

 in it. 



The water supplies should be watched, rejecting streams that 

 have drained sheep-pastures where there have been marked losses 

 of lambs and ewes. Water from deep wells without any surface 

 leakage is to be preferred . 



When new stock (ram, ewes, lambs) are of necessity mixed 

 with the sound herd, a wide range, an open air life, and abundant 

 dietary must be secured. The system that is full of strength and 

 vigor can better resist the microbe and even throw it off entirely, 

 whereas the weak, confined subject succumbs. For the same 

 reason, the weak, emaciated and debilitated subjects should be at 

 once separated from the sound flock, and kept in a special enclo- 

 sure, ill the open air, on a rich diet. Should they harbor worms, 

 this seclusion is even more imperative. (See parasites of lungs, 

 liver, stomach and bowels). 



Iyignieres advocates immunization by serum prepared on the 

 Pasteur method, but, as he has not divulged the exact technique 

 of its preparation, it is impossible as yet, to give this an unquali- 

 fied endorsement. It has this in its favor that the mature sheep, 

 in full vigor of middle life, though in an infected area, usually 

 resist the infection, while the young, old, debilitated and vermin- 

 ous suffer. Opposed to it are these considerations that are recog- 

 nized by L,ignieres himself ; — 1st, The acquired immunity is not 

 perfect, as shown by occasional relapses in sheep that have sur- 

 vived a first attack ; 2d, The serum inoculation is not only use- 

 less, but dangerous in animals that already harbor the germ ; I 

 may, add 3d, Any acquired parasitism or debilitating disease may 

 tend to break down the immunity and prostrate the system under 

 the infection. Lignieres advises that the serum treatment should 

 be restricted to the new born lambs in infected herds, or herds in 

 infected areas. The first three or four weeks after birth are to 

 be preferred for the operation, though failing this it may still be 

 ventured on, up to a few days before weaning. The longer it is 

 delayed the greater the danger of a preexisting infection, and of 

 untoward results from the new access of infecting material, on 

 the back of an infection which varies so extremely in its patho- 

 genic potency. Even among the new born lambs, Lignieres 

 would restrict the serum therapy to the strong, robust and healthy, 



