168 



DISEASES OF SHEEP. 



tremity (Plate I. Fig. 2, py.^ The inner coat presents 

 a blackish-red, and gelatinous appearance, — the eniire 

 bowel being soft, pulpy, and easily permeable to the 

 finger. The intestines, kidneys, and bladder, will, in 

 all probability, exhibit similar changes, while the 

 lining membrane of the abdomen (the peritoneum) 

 is frequently affected : when this membrane has been 

 much inflamed, the intestines are glued together, 

 are surrounded with bloody or floculent serum, occa- 

 sioning before death tumidity of the under part of the 

 belly, and communicating, when struck, a feeling of 

 fluctuation to a hand placed at a distance from the 

 blow. The muscles in various parts of the body fre- 

 quently participate in the disease, bloody serum being 

 infiltrated between the layers. As the brain, in severe 

 cases, exhibits symptoms of oppression, so on dissection 

 it will be found red and turgid, enabling us to account 

 for the convulsive movements during the termination 

 of the malady. The whole body, more particularly the 

 abdomen, gives out a fetid gangrenous odour, which 

 has procured for braxy the pastoral appellation of 

 ** stinking ill" and renders the dissection far from plea- 

 sant. After death putrefaction goes on with great 

 rapidity, especially in moist weather, hence the necessity 

 of testing the solidity of the carcass by giving it, as is 

 customary in some parts, three shakes before proceed- 

 ing to prepare it for household use ! 



(128.) Causes of Braxy. Whatever tends to con- 

 stipate the bowels may be reckoned a predisposing 

 cause. Whenever constipation occurs, especially if on 

 a sickrife pasture, the sheep may be looked upon as 

 ripe for the disease. Any crude indigestible substance, 



