218 CONTAGIOUS DISEASES. 



flock to be swept away. Mr. Gamgee states that in one out- 

 break " the losses on 3811 sheep were 221 before inoculation 

 had been practised, and the loss since has amounted to 637, or 

 a total of 758 on 3811, viz., very nearly 20 (19-89) ^ per cent, 

 whereas in 1310 not inoculated the loss amounted to 21 sheep, 

 or 1'6 per cent." 



It is evident that Mr. Gamgee intends the reader to under- 

 stand that the small mortality in the 1310 was due to the 

 precaution of separating the diseased from the healthy animals 

 during the earlier stage of the malady. 



POST MORTEM APPEARANCES. 



The post mortem appearances of small-pox are as follows : — 

 Body swollen, and exhaling a foetid odour ; the eyes and nose 

 closed with dry discharges ; the mucous membranes of the mouth, 

 nose, pharynx, oesophagus, larynx, bronchi, and rumen are covered 

 with light copper-coloured vari or nodules, and occasionally 

 small ulcers are seen on the epiglottis and other parts of the 

 larynx. The lymphatic glands in various parts of the body are 

 enlarged, and marked with red spots. The subcutaneous tissues 

 are engorged with blood, and covered with solid red nodules, 

 whilst purulent formations exist beneath the confluent papulae. 

 The areolar tissue of the face and extremities is often filled with 

 effusion, and the skin itself is in some parts red, in others of 

 a blackish hue, and the wool, if not already detached during 

 life by the animal scratching itself, easily comes off. 



PREVENTION AND TREATMENT. 



The prevention of the disease in this country depends upon 

 the exclusion of animals from infected countries. The incuba- 

 tive stage being of such a duration, affected animals may easily 

 j)ass the examination of the most carefid insjoector, no signs of 

 illness being manifested during this stage. 



If, however, variola should appear in a flock, the best way of 

 dealing with it is that recommended by Mr. rielder(see page 214), 

 namely, the separation of all diseased sheep during the earliest 



^ In Mr. Gamgee's book it says very nearly 10 (19'81)) per cent. ; the figure 10 

 is evidently a mistake. 



