298 THE DISEASES OF SHEEP. 



seated inflammation, ultimately causing death by exhaus- 

 tion or blood poisoning. Its cause is not known, but it 

 may be due to a depraved condition of the blood, as the 

 result of injudicious management, to irritation of the 

 stomach and bowels, to a microscopic parasite acting lo- 

 cally, or to a parasitic product, such as ergot, acting sys- 

 temically. 



The disease first appears as a painful, circumscribed 

 swelling on the coronet or lip, or both. Ulceration of 

 the skin results, and an angry looking sore, associated 

 with considerable thickening of the surrounding tissues, 

 is formed. If properly treated, this sore quickly heals, 

 but if irritated by dirt or otherwise, it takes on unhealthy 

 action, spreads, and becomes very intractable. Treat as 

 for eczema. 



ECTHYMA, 



Consisting of small, pointed, pustular eruptions, occurs 

 often in the summer time. It causes very little general 

 disturbance, and is of little importance except for the 



Fig. 136. Ecthyma. Compare with figures 137, 138 (opposite page.) 



fact that it may possibly be mistaken for sheep-pox, a 

 very serious disease. The pustules dry up without leav- 

 ing a scar. The disease is sometimes called acne. 



See pages 163, 279 for further information concerning 

 this disease, 



