Lamenesses of Sheep and Lambs. 
393 
letting is worse than useless, for the vascular fulness will then 
have yielded to the natural bleeding. All that can then be done 
is to open the swellings, wash the parts with vinegar and Avater, 
and support the failing strength with tonics and stimulants. 
The disorder consists in the elaboration of an unduly large 
quantity of rich blood. Hence its occurrence in highly bred, 
rapidly growing, and well thriving sheep. Hence its most 
common appearance in spring and autumn, when the grass is rich 
and luxuriant. Hence also the fact of its occasionally attacking 
sheep fed on stimulating nutritive artificial food. These facts 
suggest the appropriate means for warding off the malady. 
Whenever it appears, the flock must immediately be changed to 
barer or poorer pasture. Those that are well-bred, young, and 
in high condition must be narrowly watched, as they arc apt to 
be the first victims, and to these it is further a safe precaution 
to give a dose of laxative medicine. Bloodletting and setoning, 
although occasionally useful, are not requisite if the animals are 
promptly placed on short allowance. Amongst calves the use of 
oilcake certainly in great measure prevents the occurrence of the 
disease probably by keeping the animals constantly growing, 
and by imparting tone to their vascular system. Its employ- 
ment amongst sheep would, in all likelihood, be attended with 
similar benefit. 
Tumours and Bursal Enlargements. — Swellings sometimes aj)- 
pear about the limbs of sheep, causing stiffness and lameness. 
They often result from blows or external violence. When of 
recent origin, hot and painful, they are much relieved by being 
fomented with hot water ; and under such treatment often dis- 
appear. Sometimes, however, the exuded lymph degenerates 
into pus, the swelling becomes soft and fluctuating, and must be 
opened with a lancet or penknife. When the matter escapes the 
wound, if kept clean, speedily heals. In other cases the lymph 
is organised and the swelling becomes hard, solid, and persistent. 
Although unsightly and presenting mechanical interference to 
the movement of the joints, these enlargements are not painful, 
and may usually be materially reduced by smart friction with sti- 
mulant embrocations, such as camphorated spirit, turpentine, or 
tincture of cantharides. 
Sheep as well as cattle are subject to peculiar chronic swell- 
ings, which appear in the neighbourhood of joints. They are 
most commonly found about the knee, are situated in the cellular 
tissue between the skin and capsular ligament of the joint, 
are intimately connected with the thickened skin, are hard and 
tense, capable of being moved about in any direction, quite 
indisposed to soften or suppurate, and unaccompanied by pain or 
tenderness. From their interfering mechanically with the 
