24 DISEASES OF SHEEP. 



seen or felt is generally very uncertain or difficult, and we 

 therefore have to depend upon incidental indications, or upon 

 the effects which according to experience demonstrate the 

 presence of such an afHiction. Whenever, for instance, an 

 inflammation of the entrails results in gangrene, the previ- 

 ous vehement pains disappear entirely ; the skin is covered 

 with a cold perspiration ; all visible mucous membranes 

 become of a pallid color ; the breathing is cold ; pulsation 

 ceases to be perceptible ; the glance of the eye is weak and 

 waning, and the animal dies. The examination of the car- 

 cass shows that all such incidents were the consequences of 

 gangrene of the entrails, and like incidents demonstrate 

 therefore in future cases the presence of such an affliction. 



Procreative causes — that is to say, such causes as occa- 

 sion a direct and instantaneous inflammatory irritation — ■ 

 are very numerous and manifold, either of a general nature, 

 affecting the whole body ; or of a local nature, affecting 

 only certain special parts of the body. Among the causes 

 of a general nature are particularly to be mentioned sudden 

 cold, excessive heat or cold, damp and also very dry air, 

 fatigue, sudden change from continual rest to vehement 

 exercise, bad stable-air, continual efiect of moisture and 

 rain, sunstroke, etc. , Local procreative causes are heavy 

 strokes or blows, contusion, continual pressure, wounds, 

 laceration, stones in the entrails or in the bladder, different 

 kinds of poison, hot water, burns of every kinds, frost, dif- 

 ferent kinds of contagious matter, etc. 



It is impossible to describe in general and with certainty 

 the several degrees of danger incident to inflammation, be- 

 cause inflammation may occasion the slightest and also the 

 most important and dangerous disease. In this connection 

 we have to consider, the place, the extent, the degree and 

 cause of the inflammation, the constitution of the animal, 

 the effects of the remedies and numerous other cireum- 



