The Sheep Distemper, 351 



of imtation should be maintained constantly. Internally 



the animal should have — 



No. 393. Powdered nux vomica, 1 oz. 



Water, 1 pt. 



Kub up together, and give a spoonful daily. 



Exposure should be avoided, and the animal should not be 

 urged to exercise, but allowed to rest. 



MALIGNANT EPIZOOTIO CATARRH— THE SHEEP DISTEMPER. 



Definition, — An epidemic affection, occurring chiefly in the 

 late winter and early spring, accompanied by severe conges- 

 tion and inflammation of the lining membrane of the nasal 

 cavities, and occasionally of its prolongation into the stomach 

 and bowels, producing symptoms of catarrh, or, in the second 

 case, of catarrh and gastro-enteritis. ' 



' Causes. — As in most of the epizootic diseases, the cause is 

 unknown. It generally prevails at the close of wet, open 

 winters, with rapid changes of temperature, and in flocks 

 which have been confined in ill- ventilated stables. But it is 

 also not uncommon where no such condition prevails. 



The periodical recurrences of this disease have proved 

 very fatal to American sheep, and even yet, according to 

 Col. Randall, it " continues to destroy more American sheep 

 than all other maladies combined." Sometimes forty or fifty 

 per cent, of the flock succumb to it. 



Symptoms. — The disease commences with depression, and 

 a slight watery discharge from the nostrils and from the eyes, 

 which are partly closed and paler than natural. The ani- 

 mal is dull and drooping, its movements languid, and more 

 or less loss of appetite is manifest. The pulse is not altered 

 in frequency, or but slightly so, but is weaker than usual. 

 There is no cough, and the breathing is not affected, except 

 where the disease is associated with bronchitis. 



