i\^o/;. 2, 1908.] Agricultural Gazette of N.SJF. 94-7 



The common result of mating vigorous young Shropshire or Lincohi rams 

 with merino ewes is multiple fecundation, viz., twia or triplet lambs, and 

 udIpss the ewes have a good ccmstitution and are left undisturbed on good 

 pastures dui'ing the latter period of pregnancy, the nervous system becomes 

 deranged and the animals suffer apoplectic seizure. Many owners have not 

 yet realised that the same liberties cannot be taken with cross-breeding as in 

 the case of bi'eeding of pure merinos, and therefore they do not devote the 

 necessary attention to the ewes during their critical period. 



When ewes in advanced pregnancy are indicating symptoms of nervous 

 derangement, such as giddiness, peculiar high erratic movements of tlie legs, 

 staring appearance in eyt-s, and convulsions followed by a comatose or sleepy 

 condition, during which they grind their teeth and discharge a greenish fluid 

 from their nostrils, the most satisfactory measures to adopt are to bleed from 

 tail, ear, or eye vein ; the administration of a pui'gative up to 2 ounces of 

 Epsom salts, or a wine-glassful of castor oil, followed by an allowance of 

 nutritious food (green and succulent, if practicable), and a liberal sup)ply of 

 water. 



Until the ewes have lambed and the lambs strong anil suckling well, they 

 should not be driven or exposed to hardships of any kind. 



Outbreak of Mortality among Stock in Candelo 



District. 



Recextlv a somewhat mysterious disease was reported to have broken out 

 amongst the dairy herds in the Candelo district, which caused the owners of 

 infected herds in that locality serious alarm. 



The tStock Inspector for the district (^Ir. C. O. Furniss) was directed to 

 invcbtigate the cause of the mortality. As a result he reported that infected 

 animals were noticed to have ceased feeding, and stood about in a listless, 

 tucked-up manner, back slightly humped, movements cramped, and occasion- 

 ally looking round to side as if in pain. The trouble lasted from one to four 

 days, when the animals died without a struggle. Post-mortem examination 

 revealed that the fourth stomach and intestines appeared normal but empty. 

 Contents of flrst stomach wern ferns, blady grass, dead leaves, and some grass. 

 The third stomach was impacted and the contents hard and dry, while the 

 whole stomach showed considerable inflammation. With these exceptions the 

 organs were in a more or less healthy condition. 



There is no doubt that the mortality was due to impaction of the third 

 stomach, consequent upon the dry, hard feed, as a result of the long drought 

 experienced in that part of the State. In many cases the climax was hastened 

 owing to many of the animals being heavy in calf. 



Upwards of twenty deaths occurred in the district, and in all cases the 

 carcasses were in an emaciated condition. Splendid rains have recently fallen, 

 tind the young grass is shooting rapidly, affording the stock a nibble of green, 

 succulent feed. The mortality has now abated. 



