582 THE COMPLETE GRAZIER. BOOK vr. 



BRAXY. This is a blood disease closely allied to if not identical 

 with anthrax. 



Dry Braxy in which constipation of the bowels forms a leading 

 feature, and Water Braxy characterised by diarrhoea, are the two 

 forms in which the disease presents itself. 



Symptoms. Great excitement, a staggering gait with rapid breathing, 

 and staring blood-shot eyes are the first indications of the malady. 

 Then succeed a rapid, throbbing action of the heart, more or less 

 violent straining, discolouration of the urine, and ultimately an 

 inability to stand. Constipation or diarrhoea may be present and in 

 some instances the paunch becomes distended with gas, or gas from 

 putrefaction of the blood and tissues is found beneath the skin, causing 

 swelling of the body and a crackling sensation when the part is 

 touched. When unable to rise the animal struggles, moans, and 

 grinds its teeth, and soon succumbs to nervous exhaustion. 



Treatment. The rapidity with which this disease runs its course 

 renders curative measures of little avail. Many of those attacked are 

 found dead, without having been noticed to be ailing during life. 

 When the malady appears, measures of prevention should be early 

 resorted to. If the flock is thriving too rapidly the sheep should be 

 removed to a spare pasture and receive a small daily allowance of 

 bran, with just sufficient cake-meal to induce them to eat it. With 

 this should be given hyposulphite of soda and common salt, once or 

 twice daily, until the disease ceases. Animals already suffering must 

 be taken up and drenched with Epsom salts, and a little blood may be 

 removed by opening the vein at the lower angle of the eye. By some 

 authorities exercise is also deemed desirable at the outset of the 

 affection, to overcome the tendency to stagnation and to uphold the 

 circulation. 



JOINT-ILL. Lamb life has no more deadly foe than the disease known 

 by the term "joint-ill." Once it assails itsvictim it seldom quits the young 

 creature without doing irreparable mischief. The nature of the malady 

 is scarcely yet understood. Bheumatism, scrofula, and various other 

 ailments have been thought to be the cause of the disordered joints 

 which are so frequently identified with it, but recent experience has 

 pretty conclusively shown it to consist in a state of " pyaniia " or 

 poisoning of the blood. Most cases of joint-ill are caused by the 

 entrance into the system of an organism known as the " Necrotic 

 Bacillus," the lamb becoming infected through the unhealed navel, and 

 as the bacillus abounds in dirt, the necessity of cleanliness and use of dis- 

 infectants is apparent in preventing this disease. " Dirty lambing pens 

 and careless dirty shepherds," remarks Professor Axe, " are the bane of 

 the lambing flocks, and supply all that is needful to contaminate the 

 wound in the navel, and start a centre from which the blood stream 

 may be fatally polluted." 



Symptoms. Dulness and loss of appetite, with a harsh " staring " 

 condition of the wool, are the first signs of ill-health. Stiffness and 



