336 PAETURITIOX AND DISEASES INCIDENTAL. 



ground when the ewe lies down, or when the ewe has only one 

 lamb to suckle, which is unable to take the full supply of milk; 

 or it may arise as a sequela to diseases of parturition, such as par- 

 turient fever, or puerperal septicaemia. This is a very frequent 

 condition with ewes, attacking them more often than it does other 

 species of mammalia. It is a troublesome and dangerous affection, 

 sometimes proving fatal from mortification of the parts taking 

 place, and very often leaving the udder in an enlarged, indur- 

 ated condition, ruining the ewe for breeding purposes, necessi- 

 tating her being fattened and sold for slaughter. 



Symptome. 

 As seen occurring following injuries or exposure, swelling 

 of the gland or part of it, appears suddenly. This swelling is 

 hard and tense; the secretion of milk is impaired, that which is 

 secreted being frequently streaked with blood; in mild cases, the 

 ewe suffers very little pain, and there is no perceptible fever. 

 These conditions tend to make a favorable recovery, but in cases 

 of septic infection, the symptoms are -aggravated, the disease 

 being prone to run a malignant course. The swelling generally 

 commences at one of the teats, rapidly spreading to other portions 

 of the gland. The swelled portion pits on pressure, having a 

 doughy feeling; symptoms of fever are well marked; the ewe 

 appears dull and off its feed; rumination is suspended; the pulse 

 is quick and hard, all signs of systemic derangement being pres- 

 ent. The skin of the udder is very red and, in severe cases, turns 

 black, mortification setting in. The gangrenous portion of the 

 gland commences to slough; the disease has a tendency to extend 

 to the skin of the abdomen, simulating erysipelas; the affected 

 ewe loses flesh rapidly; death may ensue from blood-poisoning. 

 This malignant form of inflammation of the udder is generally 

 considered to be contagious. Severe cases run a very rapid 

 course, sometimes fatal terminations taking place in twenty-four 

 hours after manifestation of the first signs of the trouble. 



