DISEASES OF THE OX AND SHEEP. 181 



^oint to be noted is that preventive measures alone are allow- 

 able by law. If a beast is known to be suffering from epizootic 

 pleuro-pneumonia, it must be slaughtered at once. There is no 

 alternative. We shall first deal with preventive therapeutics, 

 then with the methods of inoculation. 



There is no doubt that oxen in which the disease is to be 

 anticipated, owing to their having been exposed to the risks of 

 contagion, may be so carefully managed that the disease may 

 be arrested in large measure — almost entirely in many cases — 

 provided that the precautionary measures dictated by the 

 sciences of hygiene and therapeutics and preventive inoculation 

 be carried out with thoroughness. Stringent measures must 

 be taken at once. If the disease itself were to be treated, the 

 most effectual agents that could be recommended would be those 

 of an antiseptic or germicidal character. 



The sulphite of sodium, for instance, would be found an in- 

 valuable agent. The same kinds of drugs are also of service as 

 preventives. It must, of course, be remembered, in dealing 

 with questions such as these, that there are many conditions 

 which are absolutely indispensable, in order that the action of 

 drugs may be properly aided. Preventive inoculation aided by 

 skilful treatment and care may be thought necessary. On no 

 account whatever may treatment of the disease itself be carried 

 out. The sulphite of sodium, the salicylate of sodium, the 

 fumes of burning sulphur used with the greatest care, carbolic 

 acid, sulphocarbolate of sodium, or iodine, or the iodides might 

 he well tried if treatment were allowable. 



We will suppose that the veterinary inspector is called to a 

 -case of pleuro-pneumonia affecting a member of a large herd, 

 and so liable to infect many others. He will at once report the 

 matter to the sanitary authorities. The best course of opera- 

 tions would be as follows : — He should at once isolate the 

 affected animal or animals, and have it or them slaughtered. 

 This he is bound to order by Act of Parliament, the Contagious 

 Diseases (Animals') Act of 1878 ; but there is some latitude 

 necessarily allowed him as to other measures. Of course, he 

 will direct that all sheds, byres, crew-yards, which are in any 

 way liable to be contaminated shall be thoroughly cleansed and 

 disinfected, and he should give detailed instructions how this 

 is best to be carried out. 



