INFLAMMATION OF THE LXINGS. 367 



be developed, that cannot long be breathed, or scarcely 

 breathed at all, by the sheep without producing the rot. 



Chemistry, even in its present advanced state, will afford 

 no means of analyzing these deleterious gases ; and it is a 

 matter of little practical consequence to be acquainted with 

 their constituent principles. * * * * Then the mode of pre- 

 vention consists in altering the character of as much of the 

 dangerous ground as he can, and keeping his sheep from 

 those pastures which defy all his attempts to improve them. 



Treatjnent.-— In the early stage of the disease, bleed. 

 Abstract, according to the circumstances of the case, eight, 

 ten, or twelve ounces of blood. There is no disease of an 

 inflammatory character, at its commencement, which is not 

 benefited by an early bleeding. To this let a dose of physic 

 succeed — two or three ounces of Epsom salts ; and to these 

 means let a change of diet be immediately added — good hay 

 in the field, and hay, straw, or chaff in the straw-yard. 



To this should be added — a simple and a cheap medicine, 

 but that which is the sheet anchor of the practitioner here — 

 common salt. * * * * p;;^ The farmer is beginning to be 

 aware of the valuable properties of salt in promoting the 

 condition, and relieving and preventing many of the diseases 

 of all the domesticated animals. In the first place, it is a 

 purgative, inferior to few, when given in a full dose ; and it 

 is a tonic as well as purgative. Its first power is exerted 

 on the digestive organs — on the stomach and intestines — 

 augmenting the secretions and quickening the energies of 

 each. It is the stimulus which Nature herself points out, 

 for, in moderate quantities and mingled with the food, men 

 and beasts are fond of it. The sheep, having a little recov- 

 ered from the disease, should still continue on the best and 

 dryest pasture on the farm, and should always have salt 

 within their reach. It should be rock salt. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNG§. 



This is by no means an unfrequent disease among sheep. 

 It is caused by cold and wet pasture — chills after hard dri- 

 ving — washing before shearing, when the water is at too low 

 a temperature — shearing when the weather is too chilly and 

 wet, and other circumstances of a similar description. Its 

 first indication is that of fever — hard and quick pulse — dis- 

 inclination for food — ceasing to chew the cud — unwilling- 

 ness to move — slight heaving of the flanks, and a frequent 



