344 THE DOMESTIC SHEEP. 



After recovery, careful feeding is necessary, the tonic mixture 

 previously mentioned at the outset of this chapter being given 

 The wound made heals quickly, but it is well to shave off the 

 hair and apply a tar plaster over it and keep it on for a few 

 days. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE BRAIN. 



Of this serious disease there are two forms. One is inflamma- 

 tion of the covering membrane of the brainthe meninges 

 (whence the common name of this disease meningitis), and the 

 other is inflammation of the substance of the brain itself. There 

 is a special difference between these two forms of the disease. 

 The former is characterized by more violent symptoms as delirium, 

 violent movements, pawing, champing of the mouth, and general 

 convulsions. In the latter the animal is dull and stupid, and in- 

 able to move the limbs. In both cases there is trembling of the 

 body, high temperature, increased and hard pulse, quick breath- 

 ing, red eyes, glaring as by nervous excitement. The sick animal 

 bores its head against some obstacle, or lies on the haunches, or 

 rests against any support that may be 'convenient-. The sheep 

 bleats during the period of excitement, at other times resting 

 in a condition of stupor. The causes are mostly sudden and seri- 

 ous changes of temperature; exposure to severe weather, heat or 

 cold equally; over exertion; indigestion of some standing, or sud- 

 den over-loading of the stomach with rich food. Feeding on 

 smutty or ergotted grain or fodder produces this disease by the 

 effect of the special poisonous principle known as ergotine, which 

 has an injurious effect on the nervous system in this way. 



The treatment consists of the application of ice-cold water 

 to the head and neck; injections of turpentine, two drams of it 

 mixed with sweet oil, also a strong purgative, as four ounces of 

 Epsom salts, with six drops of croton oil added to the solution, 

 and shaken up with it. This is followed in a few hours by half 

 dram doses of bromide of potassium given every three hours. 

 The patient is kept in an airy stable free from all disturbance, 

 as this leads to renewed excitement. This treatment applies to 

 both forms of the disease. After recovery the patient is to be 

 well fed, but with only the most easily digestible food, given in 

 small quantities, at short intervals until full recovery. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE SPINAL CORD MYELITIS. 



This disease also has two forms, the ordinary sporadic kind, 

 which is due to distinct and special local causes; and the enzootic 

 form, which at times prevails extensively over a large terri- 

 toiy, being due to causes which are generally prevalent. It is 

 known as myelitis, and consists of inflammation of the covering 

 of the great nerve known as the spinal cord, this outer covering 

 being known as is that of the brain, as meninges; whence is de- 

 rived the full name of the disease spinal meningitis. 



It also goes by the name of myelitis, and is extremely fre- 

 quent in certain localities in which some special conditions exist 



