350 Diseases of Sheep, 



Causes. — The disease is undoubtedly hereditary, and it is 

 attributed to a naturally defective organization in some 

 herds. Where it prevails, it is prudent, therefore, to change 

 the breed. ^ 



Symptoms. — One of the first symptoms is a slight weak- 

 ness in the hind quarters, indicated by the animal taking 

 broader and shorter steps, " louping," or loping in its run. 

 It is, moreover, unable to jump, and if it attempts to do so 

 will fall on its fore feet, or quite on the ground. If it un- 

 dertakes to run, it will fall frequently and rise with diffi- 

 culty, staggering and trembling. 



Many such patients, apparently sensible of some change in 

 the sensation of the hind quarters, will gnaw or bite at their 

 thighs, pulling the wool out, and sometimes biting to the 

 blood and making a scab. This habit also gives one of the 

 names to the disease by which it is known in some parts of 

 the United States. 



As the disease advances the animal grows stupid, the ears 

 loll loosely down, and the palsy, which was at first confined 

 to the hind quarters, extends and becomes more decided. The 

 appetite, which at fiist was not affected, is diminished, flesh 

 is lost, and general debility and emaciation wear out the pa- 

 tient. 



The duration of the disease is from two to three months ; 

 as a rule it terminates in death ; but cases are not rare where 

 the symptoms disappear after a few weeks, and the animal 

 resumes its natural vigor. 



Treatment. — This should be directed to active stimula- 

 tion of the spine and the nervous system. 



The wool should be clipped close along the backbone, over 

 the loins, and the part rubbed with a stimulating ointment 

 or liniment, such as Nos. 235, 239. A moderate degree 



