SPECIFIC DISEASES. 271 



(1) In which fever, alternated with shivering fits, will be 

 noticed; the pulse is rapid and the temperature high. The sheep 

 appears dull; its nose is dry; the head feels hot; and in ewes 

 suckling lambs, the milk secretion ceases. The urine is scanty, 

 and sometimes slavering from the mouth is noticeable. This 

 stage may last two or three days, then the second commences. 



(2) Vesicular eruptions appear on different parts of the 

 body; the feet become swollen, the sheep being very lame. 

 (This is often mistaken for foot-rot.) The vesicles are noticeable 

 around the coronets, between the digits (toes), on the vulva if a 

 female, and also on the teats, and in some instances, rarely how- 

 ever in sheep, in the mouth on the dental pad. When the 

 mouth is affected, the saliva flows from it freely, the appetite is 

 good, the inability to eat being due to the sore mouth and not to 

 constitutional disturbance. 



(3) The vesicles break and discharge; ulceration com- 

 mences, the ulcerous patches having a tendency to extend and 

 coalesce. Extensive sloughing of the skin above the hoofs fre- 

 quently takes place, the sheep kneeling to eat, and also moving 

 on its knees. In severe cases the sloughing extends into the 

 joints, causing open-joint — a very serious and dangerous condi- 

 tion. The duration of this stage is from a few days to perhaps 

 two weeks, then being followed by the fourth. 



(4) The ulcers dry up, desication taking place; the sore- 

 ness leaves the mouth, the animal eats well, exhibiting a good 

 appetite, recovery being rapid and satisfactory. 



Crcatmcnt. 



Medicinal treatment is of little avail, the disease running a 

 regular course. Foot baths are, however, especially beneficial 

 to sheep, as they suffer more in this complaint from foot soreness 

 than other animals. 



