BLOOD DISEASES. S85 



Hnacmia— BloodUaancss. 



This is a term used to designate a condition of the system, 

 where a poverty, or deficiency of the normal constituents of the 

 blood exists, arising from various causes, mismanagement being 

 directly responsible. 



It is a condition frequently seen accompanying debilitating 

 diseases, or where the system has been subjected to hardships 

 which have overtaxed its strength. Ewes suckling lambs, when 

 not supplied with sufficient nourishing diet, frequently become 

 anaemic. The ravages of both internal and external parasites 

 tend to produce this condition, owing to their ability to extract 

 nourishment from the blood supply at the expense of the subject 

 harboring them. Loss of blood, diarrhoea, insufficient food, ex- 

 posure to sudden changes of te;iiperature, foods containing an 

 excess of water in proportion to the flesh-forming materials, wet 

 grasses, and all such causes are prolific of this trouble in sheep 

 as well as other animals. 



Williams states that "During the winter of 1872-3 this con- 

 dition was exceedingly prevalent, owing to the inferiority of the 

 grasses, the moist condition of the turnips, and the humidity of 

 the atmosphere, for in many instances no organic disease or 

 parasitic invasion were present." 



Symptoms-. 



When not caused by some parasitic invasion, or, as resulting 

 from some other diseased condition, can be summed up as fol- 

 lows: 



The visible mucous membranes are very pale in color, al- 

 most white; the pulse is feeble; the subject is easily tired; the 

 bowels are very irregular, frequently being constipated, owing 

 to lack of tone in their muscular coats; dropsical swellings fre- 

 quently appear round the joints, or dependant parts, especially 

 beneath and between the rami of the lower jaw, giving the sheep 



