DIETETIC AND CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES. 65 



to a large extent by sprinkling with a strong solution of blue- 

 stone or bisulphite of soda before sowing, and drying with 

 quicklime. Contaminated soil should be used for other crops. 

 Drainage and open sunshine are conducive to healthy growth. 

 Hay from affected pastures must be cut early, before it has run 

 to seed. 



GOITRE. 



This is a diseased enlargement of the thyroid body, situated 

 beneath the throat, and is common in animals and in man 

 wherever the water is charged with the products of magnesian- 

 limestone. Hence its frequency on the limestone formations 

 of New York and Pennsylvania, Weakness, from any disease, 

 poor feeding, abuse, over-work, etc., aggravates the affection. 

 In solipeds there are two distinct swellings, one on each side, 

 but in other animals, and, above all, in swine, the swelling is 

 single and in the median line. At first it is soft and even 

 doughy, but afterwards it is firm, tense, and resistant, and if 

 cut into may even be gritty. In lambs it may form a great 

 engorgement from the jaw to the breast-bone, and the whole 

 produce of the year may be still-born or die soon after birth. 



Treatment. — Give rain-water and use iodine freely, both 

 internally, on an empty stomach, and over the swelling. Per- 

 sist in this for months. Weak solutions of iodine may be 

 thrown into the tumour by a hypodermic syringe, or the 

 nutrient blood-vessels may be tied. 



The destruction of Iambs by goitre may be obviated by giving 

 the ewes rain-water, good feeding, and plenty of exercise in the 

 open air during the winter. 



RHEtTMATISM. 



This is a peculiar form of inflammation attacking the fibrous 

 structures of the body (muscles, tendons, joints, burs?e, etc.), 

 and dependent on a constitutional predisposition transmitted 

 from parent to offspring. It often shifts from place to place, 



I 



