Braxy is an infectious disease which causes sudden death in sheep. It is caused by the bacterium Clostridium septicum. Braxy generally occurs in winter, when sheep eat frosted root crops, or frosted grass. The frozen feed damages the mucosa (lining) of the abomasum, allowing C. septicum to enter, causing abomasitis and a fatal bacteremia. Historically, the mutton of affected sheep was also referred to as braxy. A vaccine against braxy was developed at the Moredun Research Institute in Scotland.