516 SLMALL POX IN SHEEP. 



visitation ; that it would obtain no hold of the native 

 flocks, and however virulent it might be abroad, it would 

 be unable to establish a footing at home. This conclusion 

 was based upon the intimate communication, which had 

 long existed between this country and foreign parts ; upon 

 the known contagiousness of the disorder ; and upon some- 

 thing very like to it, having from time to time broken out 

 in this country, but always having ultimately disappeared. 

 These facts enabled an encouraging opinion to be published, 

 at a time when all was terror and dismay ; and it is just 

 ground for self-gratulation, that subsequent events have 

 proved the opinion then declared to be well founded. 

 Nevertheless, as sheep-pox may, in consequence of the now 

 frequent importation of live stock, break out at any mo- 

 ment, it will be proper to include a description of its symp- 

 toms and treatment, in the new edition of the present com- 

 pendious treatise. The first stage of this affection is im- 

 perceptible, but during it nothing is to be foretold. The 

 sheep appear perfectly healthy. They feed well, and are as 

 lively as any members of the flock ; but, during all this time, 

 the taint has been received, and the animals are breeding the 

 disorder. The period, from the reception of the contagion 

 to the development of the complaint is, during the summer 

 months, from six to twelve days ; but, during the colder 

 half of the year, from twelve to twenty-four days. 



At the expiration of one or the other of these periods, 

 the disease exhibits its characteristic symptoms. The ani- 

 mal becomes dull ; is off its feed ; stands apart from the 

 rest ; and ceases to ruminate. The head and ears are pen- 

 dant ; the membrane, lining the eyes and nostrils, in- 

 flamed ; the pulse increases ; the attitude is unnatural ; 

 while a watery secretion overflows the eyes, and a thick 

 mucus is discharged from the nose. If the animal be now^ 

 caught, and thrown upon its back, there will, upon the 

 hindmost part of the belly, and inner side of the thighs, 

 where the wool is very thin, or altogether wanting, be seen 

 a reddish blush, the colour of which will disappear upon 

 pressure. Upon passing the palm of the hand over the 

 skin, a number of inequalities, like to pimples beneath the 

 integument, will be plainly felt. In from two to four days, 

 these pimples pierce the skin, and the fever increases. The 



