DISEASES OF THE BRAIN AND NEEVOUS SYSTEM. 153 



and dies suddenly. Owing to the causes producing this trouble, 

 the first precaution should be to move the balance of the flock to 

 poorer pasture, supplement this with a wholesale purge of Epsom 

 salts and gradually reduce all artificial food, such as linseed meal, 

 oil cake, etc. 



The affected animals as a rule die before aid can be extended 

 them, and should they recover from the apoplexy they are very 

 liable to be attacked with inflammation of the brain. This is a 

 disease which can better be prevented than treated, and if the 

 sheep has been carefully watched some premonitory signs may 

 be detected, such as a refusal to feed, the animal does not chew 

 the cud, appears listless and dull, the linings of the eyelids are 

 congested, and the respirations rapid. As soon as these signs are 

 noticed the sheep should be bled at once, taking at least eight 

 ounces of blood, making the incision in the jugular. The animal 

 should be removed to different quarters, the feed reduced, and 

 four ounces of Epsom salts, combined with i ounce of liquor 

 ammon. acetatis and ^ pint of warm water administered as a 

 drench. In the majority of cases this will ward off the threat- 

 ened attack, and is always worthy of a trial. 



epilepsy, fits and Convulsions. 



Epilepsy, fits, convulsions with delirium, the sheep becom- 

 ing insensible, and at times comatose, is a disease caused by any- 

 thing which tends to irritate the nervous system, such as tumors 

 in the cavity of the cranium, fractures and depression of the 

 cranial bones, or reflected irritation to the brain from other parts 

 of the body, caused by the presence of worms in the intestines; 

 indigestion, especially such as occurs in lambs due to sudden 

 changes of pasture, neglect or mismanagement. Grazing the 

 flock early in the morning while hoar-frost is still on the ground 

 is also a cause, and accounts for epilepsy frequently breaking out 



