298 THE VETERINARY DOCTOR. 
occurrence, while animals are predisposed to it by shearing in bad weather, 
exposure to cold and wet, and by the general conditions conducive to a low 
state of the system. The essential characteristic of the disease is the pres- 
ence in the liver and gall-ducts of parasites, or flukes. These derange or 
wholly destroy the functions of the liver and lead to most serious structural 
changes in that organ, finally reducing it so it will break on the slightest 
pressure, or almost dissolve away when boiled. 
Symptoms.—Though the disease sometimes develops rapidly, its symp- 
toms are more likely to be so gradual as not to attract attention at first. 
They begin with a slow walk, drooping ears and shaking of the head, 
though the animal may appear in good condition, and even gain flesh. 
Then appear dullness, slowness, and indifference to the touch of attendants, 
the eyes being dull, watery and yellowish; evelids swollen; skin yellow, 
puffed, and easily retaining the impression of the finger; pale lips, palate 
and gums. Then one may notice a loss of flesh; hollow flanks; breath very 
offensive; tongue, muzzle and eyes very yellow; rigid back; wool discolored, 
coming off easily, perhaps with patches of skin; skin loose and flabby, 
with bluish-black spots on it; soft flesh, producing a crackling noise when 
handled; bowels loose at one time, then bound; scanty, high-colored urine; 
loss of appetite; excessive thirst; dropsical swellings in the abdomen and 
other parts; loss of cud; nostrils clogged with sticky mucus; copious tears; 
on the upper part of the neck and lower part of the jaw appears a soft, in- 
active tumor, larger during grazing, and disappearing during the night; 
rapid, weak pulse; quick, short breath; the animal continues lying down; 
weakness; listlessness; wasting; death. Another form of rot, occasioned 
perhaps by cold, by wet, by shearing in bad weather, and the like, is 
marked by a continual, distressing cough, in addition to many of the symp- 
toms above named. 
TREATMENT.—First remove the sheep to dry quarters and give a diet 
of corn, beans, peas, and other nutritious but not juicy food. Keep a good 
supply of rock-salt within reach of the animals. Give arsenicum for weak- 
ness, swollen belly, loose skin, and soft flesh, and alternate it with china if 
the skin be yellow. Bryonia is suitable for quick, difficult breathing, and 
deranged urine and dung. Yet these remedies can only relieve such symp- 
toms for a time; they can not cure the disease, for this involves the destruc- 
tion of the flukes. Tonics which act upon the liver are the main reliance, 
and even those will be of little service if many of the parasites are present. 
Keep the sheep away from low pastures and such influences as were 
mentioned above as producing the disorder. Give salt daily when flukes 
are known to be present, or are suspected. Sheep should not be admitted 
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