224 



DISEASES OF SHEEP. 



skull, towards the termination of the disease, generally 

 becomes thin and soft in front of the root of the horn, 

 and in this way offers a spot which, from its being 

 easily pierced, is frequently made the seat of surgical 

 operations. Other parts of the skull also undergo 

 considerable thinning, more so indeed than in front of 

 Ihe horn. The attention of the farmer has hardly, if 

 3ver, been called to this fact, though I believe that, for 

 one instance in which perforation occurs in the frontal 

 bone, it will be noticed a score of times on the sides 

 of the head. . In a head with which I was favoured by 

 Mr Grieve, Branxholm braes, each temple, exactly 

 beneath the superior extremity of the upright branch 

 of the lower jaw, displayed a circular opening entirely 

 through the bone, wide enough to permit the passage 

 of an ounce bullet. 



Whatever may produce pressure on the brain, the symp- 

 toms which indicate it are nearly always the same. The 

 sheep has a dull, stupid look, turns very often round and 

 round, and will, when water is in its way, stand staring 

 at it till at last, giddy and confused, it plumps fairly in. 

 If, when the symptoms are very unpromising, convul- 

 sive movements should occur, they may be taken as a 

 favourable sign, as they indicate a diminution of the 

 pressure on the brain. A minute description of the 

 norbid appearances in hydrocephalus could serve no 

 jood purpose, I therefore pass on to the prevention of 

 jturdy. 



(170.) Treatment and Prevention of Sturdy. The 

 variety caused by hydatids can only be prevented by 

 the use of dry, well grown, wholesome food. Dr Jenner 

 found that he could cause hydatids to form in rabbits at 



