The Braxy, 343 



annum of the adult animal ; but this is undoubtedly a much 

 too favorable statement; eight or ten per cent., at least, of the 

 total number of lambs born perish by disease. 



Nevertheless, in the active interchange of stock between 

 different parts of this country, and between this country and 

 Europe, we are liable any season to have brought to us these 

 much feared diseases in a malignant form ; therefore we have 

 taken brief descriptions of them from the most eminent 

 foreign writers, with the treatment they recommend. 



BRAXY— STRIKING OF BLOOD— CHARBON IN SHEEP. 



Definition. — A disease of the blood, identical with charbon, 

 or malignant anthrax, in cattle (see page 276) ; occasionally 

 epidemic, at other times confined to definite localities and 

 herds. It is also known by the names of "St. Anthony's 

 fire,'' " carbuncular erysipelas,'^ " the blood disease," etc. 



Causes. — A very careful study of the causes of braxy in 

 Scotland and the sheep growling districts has led to connect 

 its appearance with over-feeding on too rich or unhealthy 

 food, and exposure to sudden changes of weather. 



Thus it is most common at those seasons when the pasture 

 is most rank, and among herds on loose, damp bottom lands, 

 occasionally overflowed, and sending up a succulent, sappy 

 growth of grass ; also where the vegetation is subject to mil- 

 dew or blight ; where overfeeding on grain and clover hay, 

 with deficient exercise, has been carried on for some time ; 

 where with full feeding the cotes and stables have been kept 

 quite warm ; and finally, on exposed sheep walks, where the 

 animal is exposed with little protection to sudden changes 

 of temperature. The last mentioned is so well known that 

 in bleak walks in the Scotch Highlands, after an unexpected 

 snow blast in the autumn, the shepherd looks to have some 

 of his flock struck by the braxy, as a quite regular event. 



