DISEASES OF SHEEP 507 



able degree, if spores are formed, germicides, desiccation, high tem- 

 perature, low temperature and other unfavorable conditions. It de- 

 velops best in dark soil rich in organic matter, manure, mud, etc. In 

 anthrax countries the overflowing of river bottoms in the spring or 

 a very hot, dry summer will favor the development of the organism 

 and may cause an outbreak of the disease. The germs are taken into 

 the body with the food or by way of a wound in the skin, tongue or 

 mucous membrane of the mouth. When a carcass is not properly 

 disposed of flies and other insects act as carriers of the disease and 

 infect healthy animals. It is not uncommon for the carcass of a 

 sheep or other animal that has died from this disease to be dragged 

 over the pasture, road or street and healthy animals may inhale the 

 germs along with the dust, or take them into the body along with the 

 food. Commercial fertilizers, hides, etc., sometimes act as carriers 

 of the disease. 



Symptoms. Anthrax in sheep generally takes on a very acute 

 form. The animal is suddenly stricken with apoplexy, staggers, falls 

 down, is seized with convulsions and dies in a few minutes. Black 

 blood is discharged from the anus and mouth. When the disease 

 takes on a less acute form the symptoms will differ. The animal may 

 act restless at first. The respirations and pulse are quickened, the 

 mucous membranes are dark colored, it frequently tries to pass faeces, 

 is delirous or dull and finally lies down and dies in a short time. 



Treatment. This is wnolly preventive and consists in destroy- 

 ing the carcass by burning or burying deeply at some distance from 

 barns, yards or public highways, and vaccinating all susceptible ani- 

 mals. The dead animals must not be dragged over the ground but 

 disposed of as near the place of death as possible. Disinfectants must 

 be freely used around the place where the animal died. 



TUBERCULOSIS j CONSUMPTION. 



Tuberculosis is an infectious disease and is caused by a specific 

 germ, the bacillus of tuberculosis. This disease is rarely met with in 

 sheep. Infection is said to take place through being kept with tuber- 

 culous cattle and in lambs by drinking of the milk from tuberculous 

 cows. 



Symptoms. The symptoms will depend on the organs involved 

 and the stage of the disease. In the early stages the symptoms are not 

 sufficiently developed to enable us to make a diagnosis, later it can be 

 easily recognized. The sheep may have a slight cough at first or a 

 chronic indigestion. Glands in different parts of the body may be- 

 come enlarged. In the last stages, the animal is usually emaciated, 

 the fleece ragged, it stands with the back arched, the respirations are 

 rapid, the lung sounds deadened and it breathes through the mouth. 



Treatment. The preventive treatment consists in not exposing 

 the sheep to the disease. When the symptoms are sufficiently de- 

 veloped to enable us to form a diagnosis, the animal should be de- 

 stroyed and the carcass disposed of in a proper manner. 



TETANUS ; LOCK JAW. 



Causes. This is an infectious disease and is caused by the bacil- 

 lus of tetanus, a germ that is present in the soil, especially if rich in 



