200 ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND. 
The symptoms of the disease vary in different cases. At all times, 
however, it runs its course rapidly, and rarely exceeds from three to 
four hours’ duration. 
In the more acute cases sudden paralysis is rapidly followed by con¬ 
vulsions and a loss of consciousness, and death ensues in a few minutes. 
In others, the premonitory indications of sickness are manifested by an 
indisposition to feed; the affected sheep leaves the flock, and seeks some 
sheltered and quiet corner of the field, or wanders about alone in a 
dull stupid condition. Its movements are unsteady, the head is carried 
low, the ears are pendulous ; in some instances the body is generally 
enlarged, while in others local swellings occur, involving more 
especially the head and neck. When pressed upon, the swollen parts 
crepitate or crackle beneath the fingers, and give other evidence of the 
presence of air in the tissues. Not unfrequently the belly alone is 
swollen, tense, and drum-like, owing to the presence of gas in the 
stomach. Sometimes the skin presents a leaden hue, becomes soddened 
with fluid, cold, and moist to the feel. The wool becomes loose in its 
follicles, and may be removed by the merest traction. The bowels are 
constipated, and the faeces hard and dry, the urine scanty and high- 
coloured, and sometimes straining attends their evacuations. The 
mucous membranes are red and engorged with blood; this is especially 
marked in the eyes. The mouth is hot at first, afterwards cold and 
clammy. The breathing is quick, and often of a stertorous or snoring 
character. After death the body quickly undergoes decomposition, and 
emits a fetid odour. The blood is firmly coagulated, and the internal 
organs exhibit blood congestions and extravasations, and in the case of 
the liver, kidneys, and sometimes the intestines, more or less, oedema 
and softening. 
On my arrival Mr. Squire, veterinary surgeon, of Tavistock, had been 
in attendance upon the flock for several days, and fully appreciating the 
nature of the malady, had already administered to each animal two doses 
of aperient medicine, and prescribed besides a course of antiseptic and 
alterative medicine. At the same time the food was changed again and 
again, as will be seen by the table annexed. 
The following table will show the progress of the disease day by day 
during its prevalence, as far as it could be ascertained, and the kind of 
food given: 
Date. 
No. of Deaths. 
Kind of Food. 
Nov. 
27 th 
1 
Rich old grass. 
99 
29 th 
1 
Rich old grass. 
99 
31st 
2 
Moderate pasture. 
Dec. 
1st 
1 
Moderate pasture. 
99 
2nd 
2 
Moderate pasture and cabbage. 
99 
4th 
1 
Clove layer. 
99 
7th 
1 
Grass. 
99 
9 th 
1 
Grass. 
99 
12th 
1 
Grass. 
„ 13th-21st 
6 
Old grass. 
99 
23rd 
1 
Poor grass, roots, corn. 
99 
24th 
1 
Poor grass, roots, corn. 
99 
28 th 
2 
Moderate grass, turnips. 
99 
29th 
2 
Moderate grass, roots, desiccated grains. 
99 
31st 
1 
Moderate grass, roots, desiccated grains. 
