DISEASES THE BLOOD. 203 



animal suffers from continued fever, general prostration, severe 

 pain and emaciation, and eventually dies miserably. The treat- 

 ment consists of a moderate purgative at first, such as : 



Epsom Salts 2 ounces 



Spirit of Nitrous Ether A drains 



Ginger 1 dram. 



to be followed by 



Sulphate of Potash 2 drama. 



Sulphuric Acid 2Q drops. 



Water V 4 pint. 



to be given dissolved in water night and morning. Protection 

 from cold and damp, and soft, laxative food are required. Lin- 

 seed-meal, either solid or made into gruel, is a useful addition to 

 the food. As this disease is apt to become chronic, the patient 

 should be fitted for the butcher as soon as possible. A rheumatic 

 ram will beget rheumatic lambs. 



Plethora consists in a too rapid production of blood, by which 

 the system is engorged, and important organs become congested. 

 It is caused by over-feeding with rich albuminous food, and is 

 counteracted by a simple purgative, or bleeding from a vein on the 

 face or the jugular. Its effects appear in a flushed condition of 

 the visible membranes, labored breathing, staggering and sleepi- 

 ness. It never occurs except in animals in high condition, such as 

 those prepared for exhibition, and which in case of over fatigue, 

 or excessively hot and damp weather, suffer greatly, and sometimes 

 fatally, from engorgement of the vessels of the lungs or brain, or 

 both. 



Anaemia or Pining. This term, "the bloodless condition," in- 

 dicates the nature of the disease. There is a condition to which 

 sheep may be brought by the effects of dysentery, or by parasites 

 in the lungs or intestines, which much resembles this disease. But 

 there is an abnormal state of the blood caused by imperfect nutri- 

 tion, which is in itself a disease, and not a symptom. When from 

 continued wet weather the pasture becomes rank and watery, the 

 flock appears at first in an excellent and thrifty state, but in a 

 few days the animals are found lying listless, with drooping heads 

 and ears, watery eyes, and the expression of the face miserable 

 and painful. A few clays afterwards the skin is tightly drawn, the 

 wool becomes of a peculiar bluish cast, the skin beneath of a 

 pearly white color, the eyes are also of a pearly bloodless appear- 

 ance, and death is busy in the flock. On dry, rich clover pastures 

 the same effects are sometimes experienced. The disease never 

 appears on steep, rocky hill sides, where the pasturage is short and 



