DISEASES OF SHEEP 505 



Symptoms. These are manifested soon after birth. The lamb 

 is feverish, weak, and careless of the teat. One or more of the joints 

 become enlarged, hot and painful. Constipation is frequently pres- 

 ent or it may have a diarrhea. Sometimes the lamb is unable to walk 

 or when it does, it is stiff and lame. Pus sometimes forms in the af- 

 fected joints, and different internal organs. The disease usually 

 proves fatal and if the lamb does recover it is worthless. 



Treatment. The preventive treatment consists in washing the 

 umbilical cord soon after birth with about a ten per cent, watery solu- 

 tion of carbolic acid. This will cause it to dry and prevent the en- 

 trance of germs. The quarters must be dry and clean, and if the 

 disease is present in a flock, the sheep house must be cleaned and 

 disinfected. 



MALIGNANT OEDEMA) BLOOD POISONING. 



Causes. Malignant oedema is due to a germ (the bacillus of 

 odema) . The germ is present in large numbers in the soil and in- 

 fection takes place by a wound in the skin becoming contaminated 

 with dirt, faeces, dust, etc. 



Symptoms. A swelling forms in the neighborhood of the in- 

 fected part. This is at first small but spreads gradually in all direc- 

 tions and feels doughy. The center of the swelling is cold, painless 

 and crackles when pressed on. On the margin it is tense, hot and 

 painful. When cut into it has a disagreeable odor. Pus forming 

 germs are present in the older areas. The general symptoms are loss 

 of appetite, fever, quick, weak pulse, etc. The disease usually ter- 

 minates fatally in a few days. 



Treatment. The treatment is mainly surgical and consists in 

 making a number of incisions into the oedematous swelling and ob- 

 taining drainage as well as admitting air. The part must be washed 

 out with a strong creolin solution two or three times a day. If very 

 weak, stimulants can be given. 



BABIES; HYDROPHOBIA.* 



Rabies is an infectious disease and is caused by the sheep being 

 bitten by a rabid dog. It is not as common a disease of sheep as of 

 cattle, due to their body being so well protected by wool. The period 

 of incubation will vary twenty-five to ninety days. 



Symptoms. The expression of the face is usually staring and 

 when approached the animals may become restless, stamp the foot, 

 bleat, etc. If a stick is held in front of them they will frequently 

 bite at it. On account of the bite itching intensely, the sheep may 

 rub and bite the part. The sexual desire is generally increased and 

 the rabid sheep will crowd and push against the other members of 

 the flock, jumping on them and bleating with a dull, rough voice. 

 Weakness soon sets in and in the latter stage of the disease, when 

 startled, it may drop to the ground, lie still for a time and have diffi- 

 culty in rising. In some cases the sheep acts dull and does not mani- 

 fest these rabid symptoms. Death takes place in a few days or a week. 

 When symptoms of rabies are manifested, the sheep should be sep- 

 arated from the rest of the flock or destroyed at once. 



* See also Babies (in dogs), page 644. 



