390 
Lamenesses of Sheep and Lainhs. 
relieves fever so speedily and effectually. In rheumatic cases 
the bowels are generally torpid, and this state must be promptly 
counteracted by the administration of three or four ounces of 
common or Epsom salt. It is advisable to dissolve it in a liberal 
supply of water, and conjoin about an ounce of ginger. If the 
patient will lick common salt or nitre, it should be encouraged to 
do so, as the ingestion of such saline matters solicits the action 
of the bowels, skin, and kidneys, and probably also exerts a 
beneficial effect upon the blood. In chronic cases much advan- 
tage results from the use of calomel, opium, and turpentine, 
Avliich may be mixed in the proportion of two scruples of each of 
the two former and one drachm of the latter. The mixture 
should be administered in some gruel, linseed tea, or treacle and 
water. The topical treatment consists in applying flannel ban- 
dages to the legs ; and in chronic cases rubbing the swelled 
joints, distended bursac, and contracted tendons with spirit of 
hartshorn, opodeldoc, oil of turpentine, or any mild stimulant. 
A useful combination for such purposes consists of equal parts of 
ammonia, oil of turpentine, and linseed oil. Moreover, especial 
care must be taken to prevent undue exposure to wet and cold. 
The patients must be placed in a carefully sheltered field, or, 
better still, in a paddock, where they can be brought under cover 
at night, and must have a good supply of easily-digested 
laxative food. Even under favourable circumstances the cure of 
rheumatism is seldom very satisfactory. The parts always remain 
more prone to subsequent attacks. Where the joints become ex- 
tensively diseased the cure is especially troublesome and pro- 
tracted, often extending over several months. As with other 
diseases prevention is the soundest policy. Wet lands must be 
dried ; exposed cold pastures sheltered by belts of plantation, 
hedge-i'ows, or walls ; a high standard of health maintained by 
regular good feeding and careful management ; and stock 
selected free from all hereditary taint. Thus will rheumatic 
lamenesses be greatly diminished and deprived of their severity. 
Paralysis. — Sheep are occasionally subject to paralysis or 
palsy, which generally interferes with the movements of the 
hind limbs. It consists in a deranged or imperfect action of the 
motor nerves supplied to these parts, and is sometimes traceable 
to inflammation and softening of the spinal chord and larger 
nerves. It occurs under the same conditions as rheumatism, 
and is often mistaken for it. It frequently occurs amongst 
young lambs exposed to extreme cold. In predisposed subjects 
it is a])t to result from obstinate constipation or the ingestion 
of indigestible or novel food. It is said sometimes to attack 
sheep when first put upon turnips, and Mr, H. Clecve mentions 
its following on two occasions the liberal use of mangold wurzel. 
