LOCOWEED DISEASE OP SHEEP 393 



small calcified cysts in the myocardium. The liver showed dilated and thickened 

 bile ducts with Thysanosoma actinioides in the intestine. Worms supposed to be 

 Slrongyhis fdlicolis were found tightly attached to the mucosa of the large intestine. 



Microscopic report. Heart showed the presence of several sarcocysts. A small 

 structureless mass encapsulated in a fibrous capsule was found in the heart muscle. 

 This cyst, not more than 3 or 4 mm. in diameter was seen at autopsy. Lung apparently 

 normal except for one patch of bronchopneumonia in which there was considerable 

 hemorrhage surrounded by cellular exudate. Liver showed slight vacuolization of 

 the cells in the outer zone of the lobule. No bile ducts appeared in section. Kidney 

 appeared normal. 



Yearling B, of Olie Chrest, was shot on August 26 and autopsied at once. 



Autopsy No. 21. The animal was thin but not emaciated. The bile ducts were 

 markedly dilated and packed with masses of "fringed tape-worms." The lymph 

 glands of the mesentery were large, soft and grayish brown. Two hair balls about 

 3.5 cm. in diameter were found in the fourth stomach and in addition many wire 

 worms, none of them firmly attached, were found in the fourth stomach. On opening 

 the kidney two calculi of firm brownish material were found in the calices. The nares 

 contained about two dozen small Oestrus larvae about 2 mm. in length. The mucosa 

 was moderately engorged and swollen and covered with thick tenacious muoo-pus. 



Microscopic report. Heart unusually thickly studded with sarcocysts of varying 

 size. Lungs clear except for miliary regions in which red blood cells had extravasated 

 into the alveoli. These regions were so numerous as to give a peculiar dotted appear- 

 ance to the section. No leukocytes appeared with the extravasated reds. The same 

 appearance was seen in sections from several different parts of the lung. Liver ap- 

 peared practically normal, except for thickening of a large bile duct. The small 

 bile ducts appeared unaltered. Spleen apparently normal, Malpighian bodies con- 

 spicuous, pulp cellular. Kidney apparently normal. Voluntary muscle showed a 

 number of sarcocysts, not however nearly so numerous as in heart. 



The following cases are interesting as they point to an infectious variety 

 of "loco disease." Two years ago (1902) a ranchman (Mr. T.) failed on 

 account of losses from loco disease, his sheep being at the time on the 

 ranges of B. O. Forsyth, of Busteed, ^Montana. One year later, another 

 rancher (Mr. V. C.) had heavy losses from loco while using the same range. 

 During this year (1904) Forsyth, using the same ranges, found over 1200 

 cases of loco disease among his sheep, two year olds and adults suffering 

 chiefly. He has now moved to another range. He sent three of his most 

 severe cases of loco disease for examination. 



The sheep were by no means in such wretched condition as many others 

 which had been studied, and one or two other ranchmen considered that 

 they were not severe "locoes." They were thin, but not emaciated; only 

 one walked with the usual stiff-legged gait; there was no cough; the fleece 

 was even and thick, and while one was evidently ill, the general appearance 

 and behavior of the other two was not that of ill animals, though they 

 would not be called large or vigorous. 



