252 SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN THE SOUTH. 



The symptoms which precede the catastrophe are occasicTially notfd 

 The sheep leaps frantically into the air two or three times, dashes itself 

 on the ground and suddenly rises, and dies in a few moment*. Such 

 caseB .■)ccur hut now and then, and none have ever occurred in my flock 

 io my knowledge. I have therefore had no opportunity of ohserving tho 

 diagnosis, or making dissections. There can be little doubt, however, 

 that the disease is apoplexy. 



Desirous to raise the condition of a poorish flock (the poorest sheep 

 culled from my other flocks) somewhat too rapidly, perhaps, some winters 

 since, in addition to good hay three times a day, I ordered them fed a gill 

 of oats per head ; and as rapidly as it could be done without bringing on 

 scours, I had them fed a liberal allowance of Swedish turnips — about as 

 much as they would eat up clean. They gained perceptibly. One day a 

 sheep was reported to me as having become suddenly blind and motion- 

 less. I immediately examined it. It was in good fair condition. It stood 

 with its head a little down — its eyes were glassy and staring — it was stone 

 blind ! The evening before nothing unusual had been perceived about it, 

 I bled it at the inner angle of each eye, and the blood had scarcely starfed 

 before its sight began to return. In less than a minute it walked off" 

 among its companions. It had no relapse. Another case was soon re- 

 ported ; I treated it in the same way, and with the same apparent effect. 

 The symptoms soon returned, however, and I bled again. This appeared 

 to produce but a partial restoration of the sight. The sheep would not 

 follow its companions into and out of the sheep-house. When approach- 

 ed, it would run about knocking its head against fences, &c. It lost con- 

 dition, finally became unable to rise, and died. Another one, after being 

 bled, fed regularly, but its sight was never restored. It lived along thus 

 for three or four weeks, and then fell into a hole containing water, and 

 perished. Another apparently recovered, all but sight, and continued in 

 my flock for more 'ban a year afterward. The eye was bright and clear, 

 as in gutta serena, and the blindness would not be suspected, unless the 

 sheep was cornered up. Then, if the catchers remained momentarily 

 siiU, it would as soon run into their arms (»r against the fence, as in any 

 other direction. Perhaps fifteen cases occurred. In three or four instan- 

 ces the blind sheep, when they moved, constantly traveled round in a 

 circle. In about as many cases, they twisted themselves about without 

 progressing, the head was drawn round toward one side, they fell, ground 

 their teeth, and their mouths were covered with a frothy mucus. In 

 neither of the latter description of cases did bleeding at the inner angles 

 of tne .Byes afford anything more than temporary relief. They all proved 

 fatal. 



At the time these things occurred, I regret to say that I had paid but 

 very little attention to veterinary science, and had never made a dissec- 

 tion. I did nothing but bleed at the inner angles of the eyes, and made 

 no post-mortem examinations. 



Taking into consideration the feed and the symptoms, there can be but 

 little doubt, I think, that all these cases were referable to a dctcimmation 

 ^f blood to the brain. The sheep were not fat, but the secretions of 

 blood were rapidly and powerfully increased by rich and abundant food. 



Treatment. — If the eyes are prominent and fixed, the membranes of the 

 mouth and nose highly florid, the nostrils highly dilated, and the respira- 

 tion labored and stertorous, the veins of the head turgid, the pulse strong 

 and rather slow, and these symptoms attended by a partial or entire loss 

 of sight and hearing, it is one of those decided cases of apoplexy which 

 require immediate and decided treatment. As the good effects of veno 



