secretions and may also act as an exciting cause. Food in excessive
quantity may lead to disorders of the digestion and to this disease. It
is very likely to appear towards the end of the protracted season of
draught, therefore a deficiency of water must be regarded as one of the
conditions which favors its development.

SYMPTOMS: Appetite diminished; rumination, or chewing the cud,
irregular; tongue coated, mouth slimy, feces passed apparently not well
digested and offensive in odor, dullness and fullness of the flanks.
This disease may, in some cases, assume a chronic character, for in
addition to the above mentioned symptoms, slight bloating of the left
flank may be observed. The animal breathes with great difficulty and
grunts with each respiration. The ears and legs alternately become hot
and cold. The rumination, or cud chewing, at this stage ceases and the
usual rumbling sound in the stomach is not audible. The passage of feces
is entirely suspended and the animal passes only a little mucus
occasionally. Sometimes constipation and diarrhoea alternate; there is a
rise in temperature in many cases. The disease continues for a few days
or a week in this mild form, while the severe form of the disease may
last for several weeks. In the severe form the emaciation and loss of
strength may be very great. There is no appetite, no rumination or
rumbling sound in the stomach or intestines. The mouth is hot and
sticky, the eyes have retracted in their sockets and the milk secretion
has ceased. In such cases the outlook for recovery is unfavorable. The
affected animals fall away in flesh and become very weak, which is shown
by the fact that one finds the animal lying down.

On examination of sheep or goats which have died of this disease, it is
found that the lining membranes of the fourth stomach and intestines,
particularly the small intestines, are red, swollen, streaked with deep
red or blushed lines or spotted. The lining of the third stomach is more
or less softened and may be easily pealed off. The third stomach
contains dry, hard food masses, closely adhering to its walls. In some
cases the brain appears to become affected, probably from the pain
endured and weakness and absorption of poisons generated in the
digestive canal. In such cases there is weakness and a staggering gait;
the sheep or goats do not appear to see, and will consequently run
against obstacles. After a time it falls down and gives up to a violent