262 THE DISEASES AND DISORDERS OF THE OX. 



grains, mouldy cereals, and tainted water should be most scrupu- 

 lously avoided. 



Of the infected animals, which must on no account be allowed 

 to come near the healthy ones, the worst should be killed at once, 

 and their carcases buried six feet deep, and with quicklime upon 

 them. 



All animals which die or are killed should be buried with- 

 out delay, and all fluids or excreta that ooze from the body 

 should likewise be buried. Those which are very mildly affected, 

 80 that we cannot feel certain that they are suffering from 

 anthrax fever, may be put under medical treatment. The drugs 

 which are indicated are perchlonde of mercury (which is a deadly 

 poisonous salt, and can, therefore, only be used with the most 

 unremitting and extreme care), sulphite of sodium, and also 

 salicylate of sodium. Tonics also may be useful. All hard 

 food, straw, and hay must be taken out of the reach of the 

 animals. Easily digestible, soft, nutritious food may be 

 supplied. 



In case sheep should go down with braxy in frosty weather, 

 shelter is of very great service. 



Farmers should be very careful in regard to taking animals 

 from poor to rich land, especially on lowland farms, on which the 

 sudden deaths from braxy are evidently due to a superabund- 

 ance of rich grass and of turnips. If braxy breaks out, the food 

 should be checked at once, and on moonlight nights the sheep 

 should be placed on a bare field. Shelter is one of the often- 

 lost-sight-of requisites ; but if the flock is kept on the hills, 

 the system of managing them almost precludes the possibility 

 of drugging, or altering the food supply, or of providing effectual 

 shelter. 



It is a custom with some shepherds, when they observe that 

 a sheep is suffering from braxy, to cause it to move on briskly, 

 as, for instance, down a hill, and then to pull out a pocket- 

 knife and abstract about a teacupful of blood or a little more 

 from the jugular vein. In no case should more that eight fluid 

 ounces be removed, whether from this vein, or that of the face, 

 or that of the thigh. The vein just in front of and below the 

 sharp prominent process of bone on the side of the face may be 

 opened, after being first filled by pressing on its continuation at 

 the side of the jaw. Then they may give about four ounces of 



