334 THE AMERICAN FARMER 



DISEASES OF SHEEP. 



SHEEP are naturally healthy, and except under conditions of culpable neglect, diseases 

 rarely occur spontaneously; hence, sheep that are properly cared for have but few 

 diseases, while those that suffer neglect and abuse, are liable to many. The sheep is 

 an inhabitant of every climate from the torrid to the frigid zone, and seems to readily adapt 

 itself to every country and temperature. 



It is stated by good authority that the digestive system of the sheep is the most powerful 

 of all domestic animals; they are also naturally among the most healthy, and we are well 

 satisfied that there need be but little sickness in any flock, if the proper means of prevention 

 are observed. The old adage that &quot;an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,&quot; is 

 admirably applicable in maintaining a flock of sheep in a healthy condition. As a rule, we 

 do not believe in the practice of dosing animals. 



The two most prevalent, as well as most dreaded maladies to which the flocks of our 

 country are most exposed, are foot-rot and scab. One sheep infected with either of these 

 diseases is liable to endanger all the others by contagion; conseqiiently, the only safety for 

 them is in excluding from the pastures, yards, pens, paths, and the vicinity even if possible, 

 all the ailing members of the flock. A poor and unthrifty condition is highly conducive to 

 the contraction and spread of disease among sheep, and such a flock is more difficult to suc 

 cessfully treat in its extermination, since a well fed, vigorous sheep possesses more vitality 

 and power to counteract and throw off disease, than one ill cared for, and the flock-master 

 who provides for his sheep best in health, has fewest losses from maladies of any kind. 



We would also impress upon the mind of every flock owner, the importance of separating 

 all ailing sheep from the well ones, and maintaining this isolation until the animals are com 

 pletely cured. Valuable flocks have no doubt been often lost through neglect of his very 

 essential practice. 



Proper care consists in sufficient and nutritious food, plenty of pure water and air, salt at 

 least once a week, dry grounds, not overcrowded at any season, well ventilated and dry sheds 

 in winter, and protection from the cold fall and spring rains. 



Abortion. Although abortion can scarcely be called a disease, still measures can be 

 taken for its prevention which should be known to the farmer, since when it has taken place 

 once, it is more liable to occur a second and subsequent times; and to avoid this tendency in 

 the animal, it should carefully be guarded against at all times as far as possible. Young 

 ewes are especially liable to this tendency, and it often results from their being crowded by the 

 older and stronger sheep; it is therefore well to keep the ewes that are in lamb for the first time 

 in a flock by themselves, where this injurious crowding will be avoided; for it is a noticeable 

 fact that with all animals, even the gentle and naturally peaceable sheep, the stronger will 

 domineer over the weaker, greatly to the disadvantage of the latter. 



Aborting is also often due to an overfeed of cold, succulent food, stabling without food, 

 and turning to frozen grass when hungry; being chased or pushed about by other animals; 

 slipping on the ice; stabling without water, and then turning then where they can gorge 

 themselves with ice-water; constipation of the bowels, often produced by too sudden a change 

 from pasture to hay ; green to dry food will also cause it. By observing previous directions 

 given in these pages relative to the management of sheep, these causes of aborting may be 

 avoided, and the number of lambs largely increased in the flock. 



Brain Disease. This is by no means an uncommon disease in flocks, but it usually 

 occurs in isolated cases. The symptoms are, loss of appetite, with hanging of the head, the 

 eyes glazed and watery, the animal looking stupid, and often, to all appearance, nearly blind. 



