534 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY 



curable. The more common state proceeds from a 

 species of worms, called hydatids. These parasites 

 are found in little bags or cysts, filled with a fluid. 

 They do not inhabit the substance of the brain, but 

 lodge between it and the skull. It is by the pressure 

 of those cysts disturbing the functions of the brain 

 that this malady is produced, and which generally 

 terminates fatally. 



The hydatid is the cystic form of the tapeworm 

 of the dog, and the sheep becomes the victim by 

 swallowing, in the grass, the ova or eggs of the tape- 

 worm extruded in the faeces of the dog. If the dogs 

 herding the sheep have no tapeworms in their bowels, 

 the sheep will have no hydatids in their brains. 



Remedies. — The celebrated poet, Hogg, better 

 known by the name of the Ettrick Shepherd, dis- 

 covered one mode of curing the species of disease 

 which is caused by hydatids. His plan was to 

 thrust a knitting-needle up the nostril of the animal 

 and force it through the skull, into the cyst, which 

 destroyed the hydatid, and the sheep then recovered 

 its usual health. 



In cases where a portion of the skull becomes 

 soft, it is penetrated by a common awl, which 

 permits the water and hydatids to escape, and a 

 cure is effected. Care must be taken not to pierce 

 the substance of the brain by forcing the awl too 

 deep. Trepanning has been recommended, and 

 successfully performed by veterinary surgeons. It 

 is, hov/ever, too delicate an operation to be attempted 

 by unskilful hands, and should therefore be entrusted 

 to no one but a regular veterinarian. The animal 

 must be properly secured, and placed in such a 

 position that the part to be operated on should lie 

 convenient to the hand. An incision of an inch 



