SPECIFIC DISEASES. 260, 



or hind quarter, generally the latter. The swelling is emphy- 

 sematous (air in tissues under the skin), and on passing the hand 

 over it emits a crackling sound; it feels bloated to the touch, 

 which is due to the rapid mortification and death of the part, 

 taking place even before the death of the animal. The skin 

 is bluish in color. The symptoms resemble so closely those of 

 anthrax that it is only of late years the difference has been 

 recognized, it being satisfactorily proven by comparing the 

 bacilli of the tvs^o diseases and noting their different character- 

 istics. 



Creatmcnt. 



Like anthrax, the medicinal treatment of black-leg animals 

 does not recommend itself to our notice, the germs having gained 

 access to the system, produce such grave and rapid tissue changes 

 that no amount of dosing could be expected to restore normal 

 conditions. Such being the case preventive treatment is relied 

 on, and can be as satisfactorily administered as that used for 

 anthrax fever. The Pasteur method of vaccination is used to 

 this end, and 'has proved itself remarkably successfid. It has 

 been in vogue many years on the continent of Europe, and has 

 been extensively used in large cattle herds throughout the West- 

 ern States. It offers the same advantages for use in sheep, and 

 is a subject well worthy of the attention of the flock-owner. 

 Carcasses of black-leg subjects should be burned or buried with 

 quick lime. Infected pastures should be quarantined and thor- 

 oughly dressed with lime. When the members of a flock com- 

 mence to die from black-leg, the rest should immediately be 

 moved to fresh grazing grounds. Should this be done and the 

 healthy members of the flock vaccinated in the majority of cases 

 the death-rate will cease as suddenly as it commenced. 



