148 A STUDY OF DISEASE IN GENERAL. 



liable to run up considerably above the normal, and the sheep 

 being very timid and excitable when caught is liable to be found 

 with an abnormally high pulse, although in a state of perfect 

 health. So also the temperature, which while in most animals is 

 a sure index to the condition, in the sheep varies consider- 

 ably even in health, different observers having arrived at various 

 results in forming estimates of the average, running all the way 

 from 101 degrees to 104 degrees Fahr. 



Sheai-ing has also been found to cause a slight fall, the tem- 

 perature of unshorn sheep exceeding those shorn. 



An experienced flock-master is generally able to determine 

 with comparative ease the nature of any particular affection 

 which may be of frequent occurrence in a flock, the finer methods 

 of diagnosis only being necessary as a rule in obscure sporadic 

 cases. The gait of the animal and its behavior are special giiides 

 to many affections, such as lock-jaw, sturdy, rabies, etc., the color 

 of the mucous membranes of the eye, state of the tongue, condi- 

 tion of the urine or faeces, all are guides governing the animal's 

 condition. The condition of the tongue is an extremely valu- 

 able sign. Youatt states that in inflammations affecting serous 

 membranes, such as peritonitis, pericarditis, etc., the tongue will 

 be found red, and that previous to an attack of dysentery the 

 edges become red, showing a marked contrast to the body of the 

 organ. It becomes yellow-brown in disease of the liver, purple 

 or black in blood and respiratory diseases, pale and soft in atonic 

 maladies and anaemia. 



The condition of the faeces, their character, color and com- 

 position, and amount of urine voided, its color, etc., are all valu- 

 able guides to the animal's health. The shedding of wool, or 

 slipping the fleece, wool-slip as it is termed, is frequently ob- 

 served after severe diseases, where the internal body temperature 

 has been high, or may be caused'by drinking an excessive amount 

 of cold water when fatigued, or through sudden changes of diet. 



