WATER ON THE BEAIN. 279 



Where the hydatid is not imbedded in the brain, its 

 constant pressure, singularly enough, causes a portion of the 

 cranium to be absorbed, and finally the part immediately over 

 the hydatid becomes thin and soft enough to yield under the 

 pressure of the finger. When such a spot is discovered, the 

 English veterinarians usually dissect back the muscular 

 integuments, remove a portion of the bone, carefully divide 

 the investing membranes of the brain, and then, if possible, 

 remove the hydatid whole — or, failing to do this, remove 

 its fluid contents. The membranes and integuments are then 

 restored to their position, and an adhesive plaster placed over 

 the whole. The French veterinarians usually simply puncture 

 the cranium and the cist with a trochar, and laying the sheep 

 on its back, permit the fluid to run out through the orifice 

 thus made. A common awl would answer every purpose for 

 such a puncture. The puncture would be the preferable 

 method for the unskilled practitioner. But when we take 

 into consideration the hazard and cruelty attending the 

 operation at best, and the conceded liability of a return of the 

 malady — the growth of new hydatids — it becomes apparent 

 that, in this country, it would not be worth whUe, unless in 

 the case of uncommonly valuable sheep, to resort to any 

 other remedy than depriving the miserable animal of life. * 



Watbk on the Bkain. — I have never seen this disease. 

 It was first described by Mr. Youatt as an efiusion of serous 

 fluid, or water, without being confined in any sack or bladder, 

 within the cavity occupied by the brain, or between its 

 investing membranes. It is peculiar to young lambs, and 

 sometimes occupies the head before birth, giving it unusual 

 size, and rendering parturition difficult. The skuU is a little 

 enlarged ; the bones of it are generally thin ; but sometimes 

 they are thickened. The appetite occasionally fails, but 

 oftener is increased ; the bowels are usually constipated — 

 though sometimes they are relaxed ; the lamb appears more 

 or less stupid; is disinclined to move ; staggers slightly; pines 

 away "almost to a skeleton," and dies before it is two months 

 old. Mr. Youatt, after pronouncing the disease generally 

 incurable, advises the administration " of purgatives and 

 tonics combined — the epsom salts with ginger and gentian 

 and small doses of mercurial medicine, the blue pill, in doses 



* .1 take the above remarks and quotations on the subject of this disease from my 

 Sheep Husbandry in the South, having learned nothing new in relation to it since 

 that work was written. 



