586 THE DISEASES AND DISORDBES OF THE OX. 



put the ewes on a scanty pasture apart from the lambs, and to 

 apply to the affected parts both at night and in the morning a 

 mild antiseptic ointment, such as that of boric acid or that of 

 salicylic acid, previously washing away with warm water the dirt 

 which may have collected. 



Again, sheep may be afflicted with an eruption of ulcers on 

 the lips and on the legs, and so great may be the disturbance 

 thereby engendered that the animals may actually die ; but, if so, 

 we shall generally find on examination that there has been a 

 more probable cause of death, namely, disease of the lungs. In 

 other words the fatal issue was probably brought about by the 

 lung mischief. Now, it is of great importance to note that in 

 Canada the aphthse have been found in connection with (and 

 probably in causal connection with) a microscopic living animal, 

 an amoeba, one of the simplest and lowest of all animals. This 

 same microscopic animal was also found to be present in the 

 water wherein the sheep often stood. Dr. Dallinger's investi- 

 gations would seem to indicate that the amcebse are intermediate 

 conditions of a great number of monad forms of life. The 

 elucidation of the life-history in such cases requires a vast 

 amount of patient and able research. An ointment such as that 

 of boric acid or that of salicylic acid may be applied to the 

 affected parts, and the sheep should be well sheltered, and good 

 food in fair amount should be supplied to them. 



ERYSIPELAS. 

 This disorder manifests itself by a diffuse inflammation of the 

 whole thickness of the corium, sometimes also involving the 

 subcutaneous connective tissue. Pain and febrile symptoms are 

 exhibited. Erysipelas may be brought on by injuries, by strong 

 external applications, by burns, scalds, &c. The skin is very 

 red, and this redness does not disappear when pressure is 

 applied. The tissue underneath the skin is also inflamed, and 

 the inflammation may disappear, or on the other hand it may 

 go on to ulceration, mortification, or gangrene. It is well to 

 give a cathartic drench, and to apply suitable soothing prepara- 

 tions to the inflamed parts. Simple lard may do good if 

 nothing better is at hand. Some veterinarians have recom- 

 mended that the affected part should be demarcated from the 

 rest of the skin by applying a strong solution of nitrate 



