30 DISEASES OF SHEEP. 



the abdomen to its utmost capacity; a quantity of bloody 

 water or blood is generally found in the cavity. The in- 

 testines are of a dark-red, and nearly black in color and 

 overloaded with blood ; the lungs and kidneys are shriveled, 

 mellow and of a dark-red color; the bladder contains 

 bloody urine, and in the windpipe a bloody, foam-like slime 

 is to be found. The positive causes of the blood disease 

 have hitherto not been sufficiently developed, but never- 

 theless unceasing diligence and attention have succeeded 

 in establishing certain reliable symptoms, and also in 

 finding proper remedies. In regard to the question of 

 the general disposition, we know that the degree of fullness 

 and thickness of the blood increases the prevalence of the 

 disease, so that sheep feeding upon rich and abundant pas- 

 tares are generally most disposed to become affected with 

 this disease. The principal cause, however, consists in sud- 

 denly allowing large quantities of rich and very nourishing 

 food to be given to sheep hitherto provided with scant or 

 small quantities, by which means a sudden plethoric state is 

 produced. Herds of sheep which receive only moderate 

 food do not so easily become affected with blood disease. 

 Another cause which produces plethora, and consequently 

 blood disease, consists in want of exercise ; and this is the 

 reason that blood disease oftener prevails amongst herds 

 feeding upon pastures of small dimensions than amongst 

 herds which are allowed to roam and feed upon largely ex- 

 tended pastures. Other causes of said disease consist in 

 the following : want of exercise among sheep kept in stables 

 during the winter, feeding with plenty of swill, with musty 

 clover, hay or stubble grass ; want of good drinking water, 

 especially during hot summer days ; excessive heat ; ex- 

 posure to the rays of the sun, sultry and stormy air, over- 

 heated air in stables ; over-driving ; dampness of meadows 

 which have been inundated ; swamp air; unwholesome 



