225 SHEEP I BREEDS AND MANAGEMENT. 



I f the milk is not contaminated in the first instance, then the 

 ^ource of the infection must be sought for elsewhere. One 

 possible alternative appears to be that it may be sucked from 

 the surface of the solid teat and ingested with the milk, but 

 from what source the teats become soiled there is no evidence 

 to show. 



Referring to the symptoms of the disease, the first indica- 

 tions of illness are shown by the lambs hanging back from the 

 ewes. When at the teat, they refuse to suck or grasp it with 

 the mouth, and, after a few attempts, liberate it again. In the 

 act of sucking, the mouth becomes filled with foam, which 

 hangs about the lips and udder of the dam. The youngsters 

 cease to play, and lay about the pastures. Weakness and 

 wasting quickly become apparent. The head droops, the ears 

 hang pendulous, and the movements are feeble and unsteady. 

 At this time the outer surface of the mouth becomes covered 

 with small red pimples, varying in size from a hempseed to a 

 pea. Soon vesicles or small blebs appear on their summits, 

 and later these develop into sores, and become covered with 

 scabs. 



A similar eruption is found to exist in the mouth, especially 

 on the tongue, gums, and lips. When severely affected, the 

 gums ulcerate, or throw out proud flesh, and the teeth become 

 loose, and fall from their sockets. In such cases the lower jaw 

 bone seldom escapes disease and more or less disorganisation. 

 This complication altogether disables the animal from feeding 

 and adds considerably to the mortality. 



Inflammation of the lungs, followed by abscesses, not un- 

 commonly arises in the course of the affection, when great 

 prostration, inability to move, quick panting breathing, frequent 

 coughing, and other serious symptoms are presented. 



As previously noticed the udder of the dam almost invariably 

 throws out an eruption similar to that in the mouth of the lamb. 

 Sores cover the teats, and these again are crusted over with 

 thick black scabs. Sucking on the part of the lamb is now out 

 of the question, and the milk being retained serves, with an 



