DISEASES OF THE BLOOD. 207 



BRAXY, SHEEP SICKNESS, STRIKE. 



The last sentence of the above paragraph is made more forcible 

 by perusal of any veterinary literature connected with sheep and 

 braxy. All sorts of theories have been put forward only to be 

 refuted, and many cases of anthrax must have been put down 

 to braxy. All sorts of causes have been suggested, including 

 a charge against the Gulf Stream for coming too near to that 

 part of Scotland where the malady most frequently occurs. Its 

 course has not materially altered since. That it is due to a specific 

 bacillus of braxy seems now to be established. It was thought 

 that Professor Hamilton had discovered a satisfactory means of 

 prevention, but this has not stood the test of time. 



Treatment. This must be of a preventive kind, as the malady is 

 almost invariably fatal when once developed. A very crude 

 method of immunisation at present holds the field. It consists 

 in putting a pig on an infected pasture, and mixing a pint of its 

 dung with fifteen pints of milk, and straining the fluid. Of this 

 elegant mixture, a wineglassful is administered to each sheep after 

 a twelve hours' fast, about the third week in September. On the 

 principle of attenuation, by passing the disease through another 

 species, this practice is commended in the absence of a better. 



