BRAXY—OASTROMYCOSfS OVIS 317 



occasional bluish-red, hemorrhagic areas. Necrotic patches 

 have been described. The blood is dark but readily coagu- 

 lates, and the spleen not .enlarged. The liver and kidneys 

 show parenchymatous degeneration. In the body cavities a 

 serohemorrhagic exudate collects and the subcutaneous con- 

 nective tissue is edematous. Decomposition occm-s rapidly 

 and emphysema of the parenchymatous organs is commonly 

 found in delayed necropsies. 



In the diseased mucous membranes, the infiltrated sub- 

 mucosa, in the fluid of the body cavities, blood and parenchy- 

 matous organs the specific germ is found. 



Symptoms. — ^The period of incubation is two to three days. 

 The course of braxy is so rapid and fatal that clinical symp- 

 toms are rarely observed by the veterinarian. Even in those 

 cases which may be examined clinically the symptoms are not 

 particularly characteristic. It may be noted that the affected 

 sheep are restless, alternately lying down and getting up 

 suddenly, as if in pain. There may be slight bloating, arched 

 back, and pendent head. When artificially infected by sub- 

 cutaneous injection, the injected limb is dragged behind. 

 The sheep champs the jaws, churning the saliva into foam. 

 It usually leaves the rest of the herd, is very listless, and 

 depressed. In some outbreaks diarrhea is an early symptom. 

 The temperature is elevated (105° to 108° F.) and the res- 

 pirations dyspneic. Usually after a couple of hours the pa- 

 tient falls over, becomes comatose, and dies. 



Diagnosis. — ^Braxy is often confused with anthrax, especially 

 when it occurs in anthrax districts. It might also be mis- 

 taken for blackleg or for malignant edema. By carefully 

 weighing the history, clinical symptoms, and bacteriological 

 findings, error in diagnosis is avoided. 



Course and Prognosis. — ^The coin-se is rapid; usually in from 

 fifteen to eighteen hours the patient dies. The prognosis is 

 bad; fully 98 per cent, succumb. 



Treatment. — ^Medicinal treatment has not proved of value. . 

 Separation of the living, deep burial, or cremation of the dead, 

 and a thorough disinfection of the barns, pens, yards, etc., 

 are indicated. 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



