494 DISEASES OF CATTLE, SHEEP, GOATS, ETC. 



placing the ear just over the region of the heart we may be able to 

 detect the heart sounds. If no fluid is present in the pericardial 

 sac we sometimes hear friction sounds ; if fluid is present fluid sounds. 

 In endocarditis we may hear a blowing sound. In the beginning of 

 the disease the heart beats are strong, palpitating and bounding and 

 the breathing is difficult and distressed. The general condition is 

 soon changed and the sheep becomes thin and weak. The prognosis 

 is very unfavorable. 



Treatment. When the disease is due to the presence of foreign 

 bodies no curative treatment can be given. The sheep should be 

 given a cathartic of Epsom salts (three ounces). To regulate the 

 action of the heart belladonna or digitalis can be given at short in- 

 tervals and when recovery begins, bitter tonics. The animal must 

 be kept quiet and as comfortable as possible. 

 PALPITATION; THUMPS. 



Causes. Palpitation is generally seen in animals that are in 

 a weak, anaemic, bloodless condition and appears under the slight- 

 est exciting circumstances. In acute inflammatory diseases of the 

 heart or its membranes, palpitation is generally a prominent 

 symptom. 



Symptoms. When the palpitation is due to a weak anaemic 

 condition, the animal is emaciated, the skin and mucous mem- 

 branes pale and there may be local dropsical effusions in different 

 parts of the body. In these cases the palpitation depends on some 

 excitement and is regular, the jerking of the muscles in the region 

 of the flank corresponding as a rule to the heart beat. Abnormal 

 heart sounds are absent. 



Treatment. Keep the sheep quiet and avoid exciting it. 

 When associated with anaemia, bitter tonics should be given along 

 with good nourishing food. One teaspoonful of iron sulphate can 

 be given in the feed twice a day. The following prescription is use- 

 ful: fluid extract of gentian (one ounce), tincture of digitalis 

 (two drams), and enough water to make eight ounces; mix and 

 give one tablespoonful three times a day. 



ORGANIC DISEASES OP THE HEART. 



The short term of life and the method of handling sheep make 

 such organic heart troubles as fatty degeneration, enlargement, dil- 

 ation and valvular diseases of the heart quite rare. In old overfed, 

 pampered sheep, and those fitted for show purposes the fat may 

 accumulate in and around the heart muscles, replacing the muscu- 

 lar tissue and interfering with the action of the organ. Dilation 

 of one or both sides of the heart may accompany fatty degenera- 

 tion. In these cases the sheep should be kept quiet and the forc- 

 ing system of feeding abandoned or the animal sold to the butcher 

 as soon as possible. 



DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 



ENCEPHALITIS; INFLAMMATION OF THE BRAIN. 



Causes. Injuries to the brain due to blows on the head from 

 a whip or club, or to the sheep fighting among themselves may 



