EHEUMATISM. 155 



flocks from the remotest predispositions to hereditary defect, 

 especially in the cardinal point of constitution. I fully concur 

 in this particular with Mr. George W. Kendall, of Texas, 

 who, on ordering some rams of me for the use of his flock, 

 sent the following "particular description" of the points 

 which he wished to have regarded in their selection : he said 

 they must have, "1st, constitution; 2d, constitution; 3d, 

 constitution." And a congenital defect of any kind, whether 

 ostensibly removed or unremoved, should he a subject of 

 peculiar apprehension, from the stronger probability which 

 exists of its being hereditary. Acting under these views, 

 my directions in regard to my own flocks have always been 

 to give all lambs of the class under consideration merely good 

 care, and if that prove insufficient, to let them die. If they 

 live until fall, they are sold for any trifle they will fetch as 

 avowedly imperfect lambs, or are given away. 



The causes which lead to the production of these 

 imperfectly developed lambs will receive some attention 

 when I treat of the winter management of breeding ewes. 



Rheumatism. — Lambs on being first turned out of warm, 

 dry, and well-littered yards and stables into the pastures 

 where they lie on the damp ground, and where they are for 

 the first time exposed to cold rains and chilly winds, some- 

 times exhibit symptoms which, with the present limited 

 information which I possess on the subject, I can only classify 

 as rheumatism. The lamb suddenly becomes unable to walk 

 except with difficulty. It is lame in the loins, and the hind 

 quarters are nearly powerless ; or it partly loses the use of all 

 the legs, without the ba,ck appearing to be particularly 

 aflfected ; the legs, either from pain or weakness, are unable 

 to support the weight of the body ; the lamb hobbles about, 

 and occasionally becomes wholly unable to walk. The neck 

 sometimes becomes stiff, is firmly drawn down, and is 

 perhaps drawn to one side.* Usually there is not much 

 appearance of constitutional disease. The lamb seems to be 

 bright and feeds well. But in some cases, a hoUowness and 

 heaving at the flank indicate a degree of fever. Those imable 

 to rise, and those whose necks are so drawn down that they 

 cannot reach the teat, would soon perish without assistance ; 

 but in no other way do any of the forms of the disease, as 

 a general thing, very strongly tend to fatal results. 



* I was not at first disposed to consider tills tlie result of tlie same disease — ^bnt I 

 now have very little donbt of this fact. 



