492 DISEASES OF CATTLE, SHEEP, GOATS, ETC. 



to heave. The sheep eats and ruminates irregularly or not at all, 

 has a painful cough and a distressed anxious look. If the disease 

 is going to terminate unfavorably the breathing becomes more dif- 

 ficult, the animal stands in one position with the head extended 

 and the nostrils dilated. When the disease takes an unfavorable 

 turn, the respiratory sounds are deadened and the pulse rapid and 

 almost imperceptible. In sheep pneumonia does not run through 

 the different stages as in some of the other domestic animals. Death 

 sometimes occurs in the first stage, the period of engorgement. 



Treatment. The preventive treatment consists in avoiding 

 such conditions as may cause the disease. When the pneumonia 

 sets in the sick animal must be provided with comfortable, clean, 

 well-ventilated quarters and kept as quiet as possible. As soon as 

 the first symptoms are manifested a laxative of castor oil (two or 

 three ounces), or in strong plethoric animals a purgative of Epsom 

 salts (four ounces in warm gruel) can be given. The diet should 

 be light and easily digested. The following febrifuges can be given : 

 liquor ammonia acetate in half ounce doses every three or four 

 hours; or acetanilid (one and one-half ounces), bicarbonate of 

 soda (one ounce), and powdered nux vomica (two drams) ; mix 

 and divide into eight powders ; one powder can be given in a drench 

 every four hours. As a counterirritant to the walls of the chest aqua 

 ammonia can be used. 



PLEURISY, INFLAMMATION OP THE LINING MEMBRANE OF THE CHEST. 



Causes. Pleurisy may occur as a complication of pneumonia, 

 the inflammation extending from the lungs to the pleural membrane. 

 Clipped sheep, or sheep that have lost wool as a result of scab if not 

 sheltered or protected during the changeable seasons of the year are 

 subject to pleurisy. Washing and dipping during the cold weather 

 or injuries to the chest sometimes cause it. Rheumatic affections may 

 be accompanied by pleurisy. 



Symptoms. The general symptoms are as follows: high fever, 

 quick, small pulse, quickened respirations (the expiration being pro- 

 longed and the inspiration short and arrested), appetite impaired, 

 rumination suspended. The animal holds the walls of the chest as 

 rigid as possible and when the spaces between the ribs (inter-costal 

 spaces) are pressed upon it causes pain. The cough is short, dry and 

 on account of the pain suffered whenever the ribs are moved, it is 

 suppressed as much as possible. In the first stage of the disease when 

 we listen to the respiratory sounds, friction sounds are heard, due to 

 the dried, inflamed membranes rubbing against each other whenever 

 the animal breathes. Later these sounds disappear and we may be 

 able to detect fluid in the pleural cavity (hydro thorax.) 



Treatment. The same preventive measures and the same gen- 

 eral line of treatment laid down in pneumonia is indicated here. 

 After the first day or two, aqua ammonia and linseed oil can be ap- 

 plied to the walls of the chest by parting the wool and applying it in 

 lines. If there is a collection of fluid in the chest cavity and the 

 heart action is weak, the following preparation can be given : tincture 

 of digitalis (one ounce), iodide of potassium (one ounce), and 



