318 HEAVING PAINS IN EWES. 



AFTER PAINS, HEAVING PAINS, OK PARTURITION FEVER 

 IN EWES. 



In many sheep districts, especially in the south of England, 

 great losses are annually sustained from parturition fever in 

 ewes. The expression ' heaving pains ' is employed to indi- 

 cate this disorder, in consequence of its leading symptom, 

 which consists in violent straining, very similar to severe 

 labour pains. 



Like parturient apoplexy in cows, it is a disease of ewes 

 in a highly plethoric state animals that have been well cared 

 for all the year round, and are allowed very rich artificial 

 foods near the lambing time. They are placed in the best 

 pastures, and perhaps get an abundance of turnips and 

 salted hay. Mr Spooner of Southampton says that the 

 disease occurs " mostly on farms where it is customary to 

 keep the ewes pretty much upon turnips." 



Cases have been recorded where a mortality of twenty per 

 cent, has been witnessed in flocks, and it has been said that 

 the sheep have not been in high or low condition some 

 living on swedes, and others on white turnips, but not having 

 a great quantity of either. The turnips were, however, very 

 good, and salted hay was being given to the sheep. 



Salt is a very dangerous agent to give to cattle or sheep 

 when they are in good health and plethoric. It is a most 

 useful substance for low-conditioned animals, but it activates 

 the process of digestion, favours a concentrated condition of 

 the blood, and hastens on attacks of braxy, splenic apoplexy, 

 parturition fever, or any other untoward result of the plethoric 

 condition. 



Moreover, sheep kept in the turnip-field never have suffi- 

 cient exercise, and it is best to make them roam about for 



