SPECIFIC DISEASES. 265 



the circumstances surrounding the affected sheep. Sudden and 

 inexplicable deaths of several sheep of a flock, which have sud- 

 denly been attacked by convulsions, rapidly terminating in 

 death, the animals, prior to the seizure having been in a healthy 

 condition, should cause the sheep-owner to at once suspect 

 anthrax as the cause. Then if a careful watch is kept on the 

 flock, some premonitory symptoms may be observed. A sheep 

 here and there will be noticed to be off its feed. On examining 

 the same, the mucous membranes will be found congested; the 

 animal appears stiff, especially about the head and neck; it 

 moves with a sort of stiff gait, or it may be dull, and refuses to 

 keep up with the flock, and if made to move will stagger and 

 appear dizzy. Where the disease runs a comparatively slow 

 course the patient will be feverish, appetite lost, appears dull, 

 leaves the flock, the head hangs down, and the ears cold to touch 

 and pendulous; the sheep is stupid and at times delirious, fre- 

 quently tries to urinate, the material passed being scanty and 

 brown-colored, the animal lies down almost all the time, is con- 

 stipated, apoplectic symptoms supervene, speedily followed by 

 death. Associated with the above symptoms will frequently be 

 noticed a discharge of mucus streaked Avith blood from one or 

 both nostrils, the faecal matter also containing quantities of a 

 blood-colored fluid; the carcass may swell, more especially the 

 head and legs; the swellings emit a crackling sound when 

 pressed by the hand, due to the presence of gases under the skin 

 (a sign of mortification of the tissues). On the inside of the 

 mouth patches on the mucous membrane are often present. 

 These exhibit a light violet color. Twitching of the muscles and 

 effusions of a bloody serum between the skin and carcass, more 

 particularly in the region of the shoulders and neck, generally 

 take place just prior to death. When anthrax attacks a flock of 

 sheep it will be noticeable that a very few, possibly 1 per cent, 

 of those contracting the disease, make a recovery. This fact 



