40G SEPTIC BLOOD DISEASES. 



more prevalent during cold east winds ; and they reason as 

 iollows : — 1st. That during cold weather the ewe does not 

 cleanse so freely and quickly — indeed in some instances, owing 

 to the debility iiiduced by the cold, expulsion of the foetal 

 membranes does not occur ; that the retained membranes 

 putrefy, giving rise to foetid discharges and emanations : 2d. 

 That in order to receive warmth the lamb clings more closely 

 to the mother, and is consequently more exposed to become 

 infected by the septic matters. Many who have experienced 

 losses from this disease have now dispensed with permanent 

 lambing sheds, and lamb their ewes in an open but well shel- 

 tered spot, or in temporary removeable sbeds. 



Treatment. — The disease is not amenable to medical or 

 surgical treatment, therefore its prevention should be carefully 

 studied. 



All lambing sheds should be abolished ; but if this is impos- 

 sible, they should be thoroughly cleaned, lime-washed, and dis- 

 infected before the commencement of the season, all skins and 

 decomposing materials being first removed. The bedding should 

 be dry, frequently removed and replaced ; all blood, foetal 

 membranes, &c. swept away at the end of each day, and before 

 putrefaction has commenced, or else the place will soon become 

 tainted. If the disease has made its appearance, the ewes 

 should be lambed somewhere else. If in the absence of sheds 

 the lambing take place in the open air, the ground should be 

 clean and protected from cold, particularly east winds, as these 

 are acknowledged to predispose to the disease, and some anti- 

 septic dressing, such as carbolised oil or sublimate solution, 

 applied to the umbilicus. — (See Joint-Ill, Veterinary Surgery.) 



Septic diseases may become contagious amongst animals under 

 certain conditions, as in metritis of the ewe. Here the initial 

 or spontaneous attack spreads amongst lambing ewes, but has no 

 effect upon the males and barren females. 



SEPTIC PNEUMONIA OF CALVES AND LAMBS. 



This disease has prevailed to a considerable extent in various 

 parts of England, Scotland, and Ireland during the last few 

 years, committing great havoc amongst calves a few weeks or 



