412 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 July, 1918. 



animal economy is trying to obtain something for which there is a 

 craving. Whilst this condition exists, the vitality is not at its highest, 

 and the body is easily reacted upon by harmful influences. A large 

 number of owners provide salt as a lick for their sheep. Experience 

 has taught them that their stock " do " better. What has actually 

 occurred is that vitality has' been increased, the functions of the body 

 are carried out more faithfullv, digestioTi is strongci, and the animals 

 are able to obtain more nourishment from their food, and consequently 

 are less subject to disease than others not supplied with salt. 



Unfortunately there arc many sheep-owners who, though they see 

 good results — maybe — on their neigbour's property, are satisfied to turn 

 their flock into a paddock in which there is plenty of grass of a kind, 

 and to rest on the policy, referred to in my last address, of " That'll 

 do," until sickness occurs, and then to jump to the conclusion that 

 some mysterious disease has broken out, and wire to the Department for 

 help. 



While salt has shown itself to be very beneficial, it will be found 

 much more advantageous to supply a compound lick. One which has 

 proved its value is composed of 20 parts of lime, 20 parts of salt, 

 10 parts of superphosphate, and 5 parts of sulphate of iron. By 

 supplying such a lick an even balance is maintained in the digestive 

 juices of the system, and those necessary for the preservation of health 

 are maintained at their maximum supply, and all the functions of the 

 body are carried out in the manner provided for by nature. In other 

 words, vitality is high, and the sheep are enabled to resist to their 

 maximum the ill-effects of poisonous substances, whether they be pro- 

 duced within the frame or introduced from without. 



Let us turn now to a consideration of some of the more common 

 diseases of sheep. They may be divided into two groups — contagious 

 and non-contagious. Fortunately, we are in a country very free from 

 the former. Anthrax occurs occasionally in isolated instances. I do 

 not propose to say more of this disease than that it kills very suddenly, 

 and the carcass quickly decomposes, and shows a bloody discharge 

 from the natural openings. When such deaths occur on a fa-i-m, the 

 owner should regard them as highly suspicious, and treat them as if 

 they were anthrax. An ear of the animal should be removed close to 

 the head. This should be wrapped in cottonwool and posted addressed 

 to the Chief Veterinary Officer, Department of Agriculture, Melbourne. 

 Upon this ear, provided sufficient blood is present, a diagnosis can be 

 made, and much valuable time thereby saved. At the same time a 

 piece of clean flat glass should be obtained, and a few drops of 

 blood placed thereon. The glass should then be left exposed to the 

 air until the blood has dried. In no circumstances should it be dried 

 by artificial heat, nor should another piece of glass be put on top of 

 it, as this will spoil the smear for the purposes of a diagnosis. The 

 carcass should next be burned on the spot whereon it lies, as to drag 

 it to a more convenient spot will probably spread the disease. Anthrax 

 is a disease which is communicable to man, and care is necessary in 

 handling it. While it is such a fatal disease, it is fortunately one 

 from the ravages of which stock may be saved by inoculating them with 

 vaccine which gives them immunity from attack. 



