678 



Navel III of Lambs. 



[FEB., 



which the lime was in contact and from the air. The result of 

 hydration is expansion, and thus a thin, but compact, shell 

 would be formed around each tuber, but not closely attached to 

 its surface. On drying, such a shell would easily scale off, 

 leaving a clean surface. 



Lime in both forms seems to have promoted the sprouting of 

 the tubers in the spring. In the case of those treated with 

 quicklime the sprouts were fully a fortnight earlier than those of 

 the untreated " pies," while an advantage of three weeks was 

 apparently gained with " slaked " lime. 



This disease is met with, under such local names as Big 

 Joint, Joint Evil, Schooley, in most parts of the British Isles. 



culty are got on to their legs. Their joints begin to swell, and 

 often it is apparent that abscesses have formed on them — the 

 hock, stifle, point of the shoulder and knee being the joints 

 usually affected. In the worst cases abscesses form in different 

 parts of the body (particularly the kidney and liver), and kill 

 the lamb by exhaustion or by the poisons elaborated by the 

 germs of this disease. 



Cause. — This disease is caused by the entrance into the 

 system of the newly-born lamb, through its unclosed navel, of 

 germs whose special function is the formation of pus or 

 matter. These germs are widely distributed in nature, but are 

 found in greater numbers and probably in a more virulent 

 form on those spots frequently soiled by animals, such as farm- 

 yards, lambing yards, &c, than in the fields. For this reason a 

 permanent lambing shed or a site for a temporary yard used 

 continually is a more dangerous place than the pastures. 



Prevention. — Every outbreak on a farm increases enormously 

 the number of these germs, and so increases the probability of 

 future attacks. On the other hand, if outbreaks are prevented, 



Navel 111 op 

 Specific Arthritis 

 of Lambs. 



Symptoms. — The lambs are noticed a 

 few days after birth to be moving stiffly 

 and to be disinclined to walk or suck. 

 They lie down continually, and with diffi- 



