840 THE DOMESTIC SHEEP. 



ventilation be in excess or insufficient the result may be the 

 same. Mr. Randall, in his time, alleged doubtless then very 

 truly that this disorder was more fatal to the flocks than all 

 other maladies combined. But we have improved since that day 

 in our general better care of the sheep; and we cannot now say 

 that this disease ever destroys forty or fifty per cent of the 

 flocks, as in Mr. Randall's time, forty years ago. 



The symptoms are, first, a thin, watery, acrid discharge from 

 the nostrils. This alone is sufficient to account for the following 

 inflammatory developments; for this discharge soon causes severe 

 soreness of the skin, leading to the following inflammation which 

 supervenes. With this discharge there is weeping of the eyes, 

 and redness and evident sorenesss. The animal droops and is dis- 

 inclined to move, but stands listlessly about, neither eating nor 

 drinking. There is no cough, but evident increasing weakness, 

 while the discharge, at first thin, becomes thick and glutinous, 

 and at times is tinged with blood. These symptoms increase 

 in severity until the sheep becomes greatly prostrated and 

 emaciated. The eyes then are partly closed and the lids adhere 

 in consequence of the glutinous discharge. The breathing is 

 labored and difficult. Sheep in good condition are not disturbed 

 as to the action of the bowels, but those that are poor suffer 

 greatly from dysentery. The dung is mixed with blood and is 

 voided with much pain. In ten days the sufferer dies. After 

 death the lining membranes of the nose and nasal cavities of the 

 head are found to be highly inflamed and often ulcerated. 



Treatment is always unsatisfactory. Either the patient dies, 

 or slowly recovers, greatly depressed; and next to worthless for 

 the future. The most satisfactory treatment consists of giving 

 concentrated food of the most nourishing and easily digestible 

 kinds; such as gruels, mashes, and thin mucilaginous drinks, 

 with the tonic mixture added in the proportions given. No bleed- 

 ing, or weakening purgatives, are to be used. Dry and warm, 

 but unchanging temperature is indispensable. To maintain the 

 strength of the patient in this way is the only hopeful treatment. 

 Mr. Randall advises the following medicine which he 

 found entirely satisfactory when taken in the early stage of the 

 disease : 



Corrosive sublimate 8 grains. 



Rhubarb 1 ounce. 



Ground ginger and gentian each 2 ounces. 



Simmer the three last in one quart of water, for fifteen min- 

 utes; strain and add the first. Give two tablespoonfuls twice a 

 day. The experience of the author has been t^at the most careful 

 nursing to sustain the strength is the most effective, with the use 

 of the tonic mixture. 



COLIC OR BELLY ACHE. 



This disease is due to the fermentation of food in the stom- 

 ach. It exists in the first stomach, the rumen. It is akin to the 

 well known bloating of cattle. It is due to the over eating of sue- 



