DISEASES OF THE OX AND SHEEP. 525 



If the disease should proceed in its course unchecked, the 

 muscles of the loins and other parts will waste ; and, indeed, 

 the suffering animal will soon present somewhat the appearance 

 of a living skeleton. In some cases the animal will eat with a 

 certain degree of heartiness ; but far more frequently the appetite 

 will altogether fail. If the wool is pulled, it comes off, so 

 slightly is it bound to the skin. Shortly before death, what has 

 been called the black scour comes on, the discharge being mixed 

 with dark gangrenous material resulting from the decomposition 

 of the intestinal walls. Death may occur in the course of even 

 a few hours, or the animal may linger on in suffering for as long 

 as six weeks, and then fall a victim. 



The treatment of oxen suffering from dysentery may not be 

 very satisfactory, and after death the stomach as well as the 

 intestines may be seen to be involved. The lining membrane 

 may be reddened, and there may be a gelatinous effusion into 

 its substance. The small intestines also are reddened, and the 

 large intestines show spots of extravasation, are bluish in colour, 

 and more or less deeply ulcerated. 



Mr. Armatage, a well-known writer, suggests treatment by 

 means of subcutaneous injection. Powerful astringents should 

 be tried, and also astringent enemas. Carbolic acid, chlorinated 

 lime, and hyposulphite of sodium have all been recommended in 

 suitable doses. The animal should be carefully attended tOy 

 and supplied with dry and nutritious food which has been 

 selected with judgment. The administration of calomel 

 combined with opium has been attended with good results. 



In regard to the treatment of sheep afflicted with dysentery, 

 the first point is that the sheep should at once be removed from 

 the situation and from the food which probably excited the com- 

 plaint and still keeps it up. The food should consist of mashes 

 and gruel, together with a small allowance of good hay at night. 

 The patient may be placed in a tub of hot water, to which a very 

 little antiseptic has been added, such, for instance, as a small 

 quantity of salicylic acid, and allowed to remain therein for 

 about fifteen minutes. When the tail is fastened down, warm 

 water and carbolic acid soap should be plentifully used, and 

 perhaps some of the wool must be cut away. If there be any 

 sores, some powdered chalk should be sprinkled over them, or 

 they may be dressed with some antiseptic ointment such, for 



