36 
Hereditary Diseases of Sheep and Pir/s, 
is little doubt that many of the " not predisposed " possessed a 
latent hereditary taint, which natuially descended to their OAvn 
progeny. Dr. Cotton's table further shows tliat consumptive 
males are more apt to procreate consumptive sons, and consump- 
tive females consumptive daughters — a fact which we have 
already noticed in our general observations ; and, also, that while 
there is no apparent predisposition, men are more apt to become 
consumptive than women, in the proportion of (3 7 "5 per cent, to 
67'4 per cent. — a conclusion which may in great part be 
accounted for by their more irregular lives, and their more fre- 
quent exposure to heahh-depressing influences. 
But these are not the only evils which assail sheep of a scro- 
fulous constitution. They are occasionally affected by chronic 
swellings about the neck and throat, at first hard, but afterwards 
softening, bursting externally, and discharging an unhealthy 
pus. Tliese swellings are analogous to clyers in cattle, and like 
them are most apt to occur in scrofulous subjects living in 
localities exposed to east winds. Scrofulous sheep are likewise 
subject to intractable swellings of the joints ; to foot-rot in its 
most tedious and aggi'avated forms ; and to rickets, a disease of 
the bones occurring in early youth from perverted nutrition, and 
consisting in a softening of the osseous tissue. They are further 
of such a weak and depraved constitution as to fall easy and 
early victims to any ordinary or prevailing diseases, which, more- 
over, are in them developed with vuiusual severity. 
We have now noticed the chief diseases of sheep which are 
either hereditary or capable of becoming so ; and would earnestly 
and conscientiously urge sheep-breeders to avoid all animals 
affected by these diseases, or exhibiting any of the external cha- 
racters which indicate a tendency to them. But animals used for 
breeding purposes must not only have the negative quality of free- 
dom from disease, but also the positive qualities of high health and 
vigour, without which no stock can ever be useful or profitable. 
And in order that they may be of the highest possible value as 
living manufactories of food and clothing they must further pos- 
sess symmetry of form, and as great perfecticm as possible in all 
their parts. The head should be small in proportion to the 
body, and well covered with wool and hair, for a large coarse 
head is inconsistent with a proper symmetry among other parts, 
and indicates a dull sluggish temperament, and an indisposition 
to accumulate fat. Tlie cheeks should be fine and thin ; the 
nostrils expanded and moistened with healthy mucus ; and the 
eyes full and clear, but at the same time soft and placid, as indi- 
cating that quiet and complacent disposition so essential in all 
animals intended for fattening. The neck must be fine at its 
junction with the body, but large, round, and deep where it 
