DISEASES OF SHEEP 487 



among sheep kept in low, damp undrained pastures. Jaundice is 

 a symptom of a disease caused by a toxic substance contained in 

 lupines. 



Symptoms. The different tissues of the body are tinged with 

 yellow, caused by the interference with the secretion of the bile 

 from the liver and its reabsorption by the blood, from which it is 

 deposited in the different connective tissues of the body. In the 

 simplest form, the sheep has a slow pulse, is languid and sleepy, 

 the appetite is irregular and the bowels constipated. 



Treatment. When the disease is caused by faulty hygienic 

 conditions, they should be corrected if possible. A changed diet 

 is always advisable. To cause free movement of the bowel three 

 or four ounces of Epsom salts can be given in a drench, or in 

 chronic cases, calomel in ten grain doses repeated every two or three 

 days if necessary. A liberal allowance of common salt is said to 

 be a preventive. If the sheep is weak a tonic can be given of pow- 

 dered gentian (one ounce), sulphate of soda (two ounces), and bi- 

 carbonate of soda (two ounces) ; mix and give one teaspoonful in 

 the feed two or three times a day. 

 PERITONITIS; INFLAMMATION OF THE LINING MEMBRANE OF THE 



ABDOMEN. 



Causes. Peritonitis may follow as a result of castration. It 

 is not uncommon for it to occur as a complication of a difficult 

 birth or an inflammation of an internal organ. Exposure, poor 

 care, blows or wounds on the abdominal wall, and a rupture of the 

 stomach, intestines or womb may cause this disease. 



Symptoms. The most prominent symptom is pain. The 

 sheep moves stiffly, the hind limbs are dragged, the back arched 

 and the abdominal wall is held as rigid as possible. Pressure on 

 the abdominal wall causes pain. The body temperature will vary. 

 In some cases there is no elevation of temperature in others it is 

 quite high. The sheep may be constipated or have a diarrhea. 

 When fluid is present in the abdominal cavity we can detect it by 

 placing the ear against the wall and listening to the abdominal 

 sounds. The prognosis is not very favorable. The animal may 

 die in a few days. When the disease is prolonged for several weeks 

 it ends in a chronic peritonitis. In favorable cases the symptoms 

 gradually subside and recovery takes place in a week or ten days. 



Lesions. The peritoneum is inflamed and there is an exudate 

 in the abdominal cavity. This may contain fibrin or pus and may 

 have a disagreeable odor. Different internal organs may take part 

 in the inflammation. 



Treatment. Preventive measures consist in using the proper 

 antiseptic precautions when castrating sheep and not operating on 

 the lambs when young. The sheep should be kept as quiet as pos- 

 sible, given good quarters and care and fed nothing but easily di- 

 gestible food. To clean out the intestines and remove the bac- 

 teria which becomes a source of danger, a laxative must be given 

 and injections frequently used. Mucilaginous drinks are advis- 

 able. To relieve the pain the following is useful: laudanum (one 



