280 SPECIFIC DISEASES. 



The sick animal should be kept in warm quarters, and if 

 the disease has been detected in the early stages, a full dose of 

 Epsom salts is to be recommended, followed by such drugs as 

 have a sedative action on the nervous system, such as potassium 

 bromide, chloral hydrate, etc. 



As seen in ewes following parturition it is almost always 

 fatal — in fact this disease is a most intractable and unsatisfactory 

 one to treat — a small percentage of cases making a perfect recov- 

 ery. Where sheep have suffered from tetanus and have been 

 destroyed, they should not be tised for human consumption. In- 

 jections of tetanus anti-toxin are reported as being very success- 

 ful in treating this disease in the human subject, and in case of a 

 valuable animal becoming stricken, its use on sheep would be 

 justifiable. 



Brysipclas. 



This is a contagious and malignant affection of the skin, due 

 to the introduction of a germ Itnown as tlie streptococcus erysipe- 

 latis, which on gaining access to wounds and abrasions of the 

 cuticle is responsible for a deep-seated inflammation, which not 

 only attacks the epidermis, but is prone to penetrate and involve 

 the sub-cutaneous structures. 



Sheep frequently suffer from this disease, it being often ob- 

 served after shearing, where the cuticle has been injured, or fol- 

 lowing any and all classes of wounds. Malignant metritis of 

 ewes, following lambing, is frequently due to inoculation with 

 erysipelas streptococci. The period of incubation is from fifteen 

 to sixty hours. 



SjTTiptoTna. 



First recognize a tense, hard swelling of the skin, which is 

 very painful to the touch; the sheep exhibits symptoms of fever. 

 In parting the fleece, and carefully examining the skin, numer- 

 ous small blisters will be found, which contain a reddish, watery 



