45a 
THE VETERINARY SQENCE 
5. Grub in the Head. 
This is a common disease in some localities, especially if 
the sheep are pasturing on. low-lying swampy lands where 
there are pools of stagnant water. 
Causes. — The disease is transmitted in the following 
manner: An afifected sheep dies and is allowed to remain 
exposed until eaten by dogs. These in passing across the 
fields leave their droppings, containing the grub, so that the 
grass is contaminated by them. They are then taken into the 
stomach with the grass, after which they find their way into 
the blood and are by it carried to the brain, where they settle 
in the centre as near the upper side as possible. 
Symptoms. — The symptoms are very peculiar. The sheep 
holds its head to one side and a little higher than natural, 
continuing in this manner for a few days — acting very 
strangely. As the symptoms become more violent there are 
spells during which actions resemble those of an animal that 
is blind — plunging into a ditch or running against a fence, 
wall, or any other obstacle that may chance to be in the way, 
followed by falling down in a fit of jerking, lasting for a 
minute or so, after which the symptoms disappear, only to 
return again in the course of half an hour or so. 
In other cases when one side is aflected the animal runs 
round in a circle. 
The symptoms as outlined gradually become more vio- 
lent and frequent, and unless relieved, death follows in the 
course of a few weeks. 
Treatment. — As soon as first noticed give 
Spirits of Turpentine % ounce or 1 dessertspoonful. 
Raw Linseed Oil H teacupful. 
Mix and give as a drench every second or third day for a 
week or so. This will kill the grub, which gradually absorbs, 
and the sheep soon recovers. 
During treatment keep the patient in a small field and 
I'rce from danger of injury when rushing about. Examine the 
head daily and endeavor to locate a soft spot on the top of 
the head. Press the bone firmly and as soon as found cut 
iway the skin from over it to about the size of a 25-cent 
piece. Cut the diseased bone, being careful not to touch the 
brain. Raise the piece of soft bone out and leave it out. This 
soft piece of bone, being over where the grub is, will at once 
give the sheep relief, as the grub will bulge up in the hole and 
