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A Disease of Sheep in Ayrshire. [aug., 



wethers are kept. The breed kept is the black faced or 

 mountain sheep. 



It is seen both in sheep on the hills and on the improved 

 pastures in the low lands. The disease is considered to be 

 more prevalent after a mild wet winter or spring, followed by 

 dry weather. Some farmers consider that the disease is more 

 prevalent on limestone land or land which has been dressed 

 with lime. The attention of the shepherd is usually drawn to 

 the affected sheep when driving the flock towards the top of the 

 hill at night ; some sheep are found dead, or die suddenly when 

 handled. Certain sheep may be seen to lag behind or to move 

 slowly, and if hurried by the dogs they often fall down exhausted. 

 An affected sheep never wanders far, and as the disease progresses 

 the animal v/ill remain standing in one position ; it is disinclined 

 to eat, only feeding for a few minutes at irregular intervals, 

 becomes very dull, sleepy of the eye, with the head hung down,, 

 the ears drooping ; it takes no notice of the lamb, and there is 

 a loss of milk ; rumination is partially or entirely suspended ; 

 the fleece becomes dry, matted, and generally disarranged ;; 

 progressive weakness follows, marked by unsteady gait, inability 

 to stand, coma, and death. Some sheep have been observed to 

 scour, and "poking of the dewlap" or oedematous swelling of 

 the sub-maxillary space is often present. The visible mucous 

 membranes, particularly the conjunctivae, become very blanched. 

 A " sound of water " inside the abdomen is detected in some 

 cases when the affected sheep are turned on to their backsy. 

 during which process the sheep may collapse and die. The 

 only conditions noted after death by some of the shepherds 

 have been water in the abdomen, around the lungs or the heart. 



The treatment usually adopted is, if possible, to get the 

 affected sheep on to better pastures (usually on to the low lands 

 around the farm buildings) ; many die while being taken in. 

 The lamb is naturally removed, and seeks its own living. Na 

 medicinal or other treatment appears to have been tried. The 

 affected sheep, if noticed in time, are not clipped. Some sheep 

 seem to rally quickly, and even take the lamb again after being 

 brought on to better pasture ; other sheep, and the majority of 

 those which survive, do not thrive, although becoming apparently 

 stronger ; they usually become re-affected, or relapse into their 



