194 DISEASES OF THE MVEK. 



more frequently observed in the sheep and dog than in the other 

 domesticated animals, but this assertion no doubt included cases 

 of liver-fluke, of which we shall treat separately. Where sheep 

 are highly bred, and especially where they are pampered for ex- 

 hibition purposes, the liver is very liable to acute or chronic de- 

 generation of a fatty character, and according to Steele, "this 

 seems to be the nature of the fatality which often occurs among 

 highly-bred sheep, more especially ewes in lamb." Sheep, how- 

 ever, die in great numbers from liver diseases about the period 

 of parturition; sometimes without presenting any symptoms of 

 disease of that particular organ, or of any disease whatever; 

 sometimes anaemic, and occasionally with well marked symptoms 

 of jaundice." — Williams, Vet. Med. 



Sjmiptoms. 



Will be recognized by a general yellowish appearance of the 

 eyes and mucous membranes, the faeces are offensive, the mouth 

 has a sour smell, the skin is itchy, dry and yellow in color 

 instead of normal pink. In acute attacks the condition may re- 

 semble anthrax, death occurring in from sixteen to twenty-four 

 hours. Should the trouble persist, blood-poisoning is likely to 

 set in, in which case the evacuations become black, then green, 

 and -finally bloody in character, the temperature being elevated 

 and the respirations hurried. 



Creatment. 



This is in the main preventative; the disease being caused 

 by errors in diet, the first procedure is to correct the same, cer- 

 tainly so far as the balance of the flock not yet diseased are con- 

 cerned. In the sheep this affection arises from feeding mater- 

 ials rich in saccharine products and lacking in nitrogenous ele- 

 ments, and is frequently seen arising where turnips have been fed 

 in large quantities to the exclusion of other foodstuffs. So in 



