DISEASES OF SHEEP 493 



enough water to make eight ounces. One tablespoonful can be 

 given every four hours. In instances where the sheep cannot re- 

 ceive careful attention a little nitrate of potassium can be given in 

 the drinking water. 



HYDROTHORAX. FLUID IN THE CHEST CAVITY. 



Causes. This is a common complication of pleurisy. If the 

 flow of blood in the large veins is impeded or if there is organic 

 heart or chronic kidney trouble present, this disease may occur in- 

 dependently of any inflammation. When this is the case, dropsical 

 swellings are present in different parts of the body. 



Symptoms. In pleurisy, when the acute symptoms subside 

 quickly, it indicates a collection of fluid in the chest cavity. If but 

 a small collection of fluid is present the pain is lessened, but if it 

 forms in large amounts it presses on the lungs and heart, seriously 

 interfering with the functions of these organs. By placing the ear 

 to the side of the chest the fluid can be detected. When the ear is 

 applied to the lower part of the chest walls no respiratory sounds are 

 heard, but if applied high up the sounds may be normal. The exu- 

 date in the thoracic cavity is not always the same in character. It 

 may be of yellow, citron, or red color, grayish or muddy if it con- 

 tains pus or fibrin, and clear, limpid, or transparent if a true dropsical 

 effusion. Dropsical swellings may be present in different parts of the 

 body. 



Treatment. The sheep must be given good care. Counter-irri- 

 tation to the chest walls, as in pleurisy, is indicated. If constipated, a 

 cathartic must be given. To help get rid of the effusion, the following 

 prescription may be given: tincture of digitalis (one ounce), iodide 

 of potassium (one ounce), fluid extract of gentian (one ounce), and 

 enough water to make eight ounces ; mix and give one tablespoonful 

 three times a day. When the sheep begins to improve one teaspoon- 

 ful of iron sulphate can be given in the feed two or three times a day. 

 In bad cases, tapping the chest and drawing off the fluid by means 

 of the trocar and canula is the only successful treatment. 



DISEASES OF THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE HEART AND ITS MEMBRANES. 



Causes. Sharp objects as needles, wire, nails, etc., that are taken 

 into the stomach along with the food and finally pass through the 

 walls of the stomach and injure the heart and its coverings are com- 

 mon causes. Pericarditis (an inflammation of the coverings of the 

 heart) and endocarditis (an inflammation of the lining membrane 

 of the heart) are sometimes seen in rheumatic diseases. Pericarditis 

 may occur as a complication of pleurisy, the inflammation extending 

 from the pleural membrane to the pericardium. 



Symptoms. When cause by foreign bodies penetrating the peri- 

 cardial sack from the stomach, symptoms of indigestion may precede 

 the cardiac symptoms. The most prominent symptom is pain. The 

 pulse beats are irregular, the temperature elevated, and the sheep 

 weak. The expression is anxious and denotes suffering, the animal 

 does not lie down and may' remain in one position for some time. By 



