f»62 
MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 
skull and brain, and even sometimes in the ventricles of the 
brain. 
The first symptom which manifests itself, is the sheep 
lagging behind its companions in the pasture ground, and 
assuming a dull, sluggish appearance. Then the animal 
will be noticed to go round, as if giddy ; its eyes look as if 
they were blind; and ultimately he dies. But all these 
symptoms may be apparent for a considerable time before 
death ensues. Sheep labouring under this complaint often 
feed well to the last, and die in good condition. 
Causes. —One form of this disease proceeds from an over¬ 
abundant supply of that fluid which moistens the ventricles 
of the brain. This is considered incurable. The more 
common state proceeds from a species of worms, called 
hydatids. These animals are formed like bags or cysts, 
and are filled with a fluid. They do not inhabit the sub¬ 
stance of the brain, but lodge between it and the skull. It 
is by the pressure of those cysts that this malady is pro¬ 
duced, and which generally terminates fatally, and the brain 
becoming diseased from being subjected to a long continu¬ 
ance of that pressure. 
Remedies. —The celebrated poet, Hogg, better known by 
the name of the Ettrick Shepherd, discovered one mode of 
curing the species of disease which is caused by hydatids. His 
plan was to thrust a knitting-needle up the nostril of the ani¬ 
mal and force it through the skull, into the cyst, which destroy¬ 
ed the hydatid, and the sheep then recovered its usual health. 
In cases where a portion of the skull becomes soft, it is 
penetrated by a common awl, which permits the water to 
escape, and a cure is effected. Care must be taken not to 
pierce the substance of the brain by forcing the awl too 
deep. Trepanning has been recommended, and successfully 
performed by some veterinary surgeons. It is, however, too 
