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DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 



When the distomas invade the liver in large numbers the disease 

 often takes a more rapid course. In well-nourished adult animals 

 the symptoms of anemia and cachexia may disappear with time^ 

 even after years, and an apparent cure is not a rare thing ; but 

 there are always persisting lesions of the liver. In general, the 

 prognosis of advauced distomiasis is very unfavorable. It is in 

 winter and the beginning of spring that the trouble acquires its 

 maximum gravity. 



Cadéac has related a case of hepatic distomiasis in a female 

 donkey. The biliary canals were dilated in the shape of blisters. 

 The animal showed a marked emaciation, with a very pronounced 

 paleness of the mucous membranes. At the autopsy were found, 

 besides the alterations of the liver, dropsies in the peritoneum, the 

 pleura, and the pericardium. 



Treatment. The treatment must be prophylactic. We must 

 avoid taking the sheep into infected pastures, and destroy the fluke-- 

 worm eggs : such are its two principal indications. The first is 

 the shepherd's business ; he should keep the flocks away from 

 doubtful pastures as soon as the damp weather sets in ; according 

 to an old custom, after St. John's day. This precaution is par- 

 ticularly important for the lambs and wethers. Besides, the animals 

 should be given an alimentation keeping them in good condition. 

 Observation has taught that the more resistance they possess, the 

 more easily they escape infection. 



In order to destroy the fluke-worm eggs and to prevent their 

 dissemination, several means have been recommended. Thomas 

 has advised to kill the sick animals at the time when the meat 

 may still be used for consumption ; to destroy the liver or feed it 

 to the dogs after having it well cooked ; to drive the animals into 

 dry pastures, where their excrements will also be carried ; finally^ 

 to drain the wet pastures and spread salt or chalk on them. 



In order to kill the cercaria contained in the stomach and in- 

 testine, rock-salt should be left within reach of the flock. This 

 agent, which the animals lick constantly, may replace the bitters, 

 aromatics, and astringents used formerly.^ 



1 Branches of the oak, elm, and yoke-elm — cut in July or August, and dried with 

 their leaves, and given in the sheepfold before the starting of the sheep for their 

 pasture — constitute an excellent preventive means. Those of the juniper and of all 

 the aromatic trees are equally useful. Buds of the sea-pine, dried and mixed with 

 bran, have a true curative value. I have many times obtained remarkably favorable 

 results from these various treatments in Sologne. — l. t. 



