CHAPTER I. 

 Diseases of the Head, etc 



STAGGERS. 



Symptoms. — This malady has a variety of names 

 applied to it, as indicating various diseases, namely, 

 sturdy, goggles, fernsick, and hydrocephalus, or water 

 in the head ; but they are in fact only one. 



The staggers is a disease which more particu- 

 larly attacks young sheep or hogs, from nine to 

 eighteen months old. Sheep that have died of this 

 disorder, on their skull being opened, a collection 

 of water has been found between the skull and 

 brain, and even sometimes in the ventricles of the 

 brain. 



The first symptom which manifests itself, is the 

 sheep lagging behind its companions in the pasture 

 ground, and assuming a dull, sluggish appearance. 

 Then the animal will be noticed to go round, as if 

 giddy ; its eyes look as if they were blind ; and 

 ultimately he dies. But all these symptoms may 

 be apparent for a considerable time before death 

 ensues. Sheep labouring under this complaint 

 sometimes feed well to the last, and die in good 

 condition. 



Causes. — One form of this disease proceeds from 

 an over-abundant supply of that fluid which moistens 

 the ventricles of the brain. This is considered in- 



