POISONOUS PLANTS 623 



do not lamb so frequently at night as late in the evening 

 and early in the morning, and lambing is easier in moist 

 than in dry weather. 



The period of gestation in ewes is between twenty-one 

 and twenty-two weeks. The shepherd should live in a 

 wooden house on wheels, fitted with a stove, and placed 

 close to the pen, to enable him to give his undivided attention 

 to the flock. 



Rhododendron, laurel, ivy, and azalea leaves are a 

 frequent cause of poisoning amongst "grit" ewes, brought 

 near the homestead for lambing, if they get into the garden 

 and browse on the leaves, or eat them through the fence, as 

 they will do when green food is scarce and their pregnant 

 condition gives them a ravenous appetite. " The symptoms 

 are very acute : there is great tympany, laboured breathing, 

 dullness, a green sputum runs from the nostrils and mouth, 

 the animal is unable to stand, and will lie for several days with 

 occasional fits of struggling, and death ensues if it is not treated 

 with purgatives and stimulants. The ewes will recover, but 

 the lambs are invariably born dead." Henbane (Hyoscyamus 

 niger) produces similar symptoms. A few cases are on 

 record of sheep being poisoned -by eating the leaves of 

 Foxglove {Digitalis} when snow is upon the ground. Tannic 

 acid is said to be an antidote ; failing this, treat as usual 

 for vegetable poisons (p. 258). 



During parturition assistance by hand should never be 

 given too soon. Should the head of the lamb protrude, 

 immediate action is necessary to prevent its death by 

 strangulation. When parturition is normal the two fore legs 

 appear first, then the head. A steady pull by the legs is 

 usually successful help. In false presentations, large lambs 

 require to be turned right round before they can be got 

 away. Turning is most easily accomplished when the ewe 

 is suspended by an assistant holding her by the hind legs. 

 The hands, after washing with strong carbolic soap, should 

 be smeared with carbolic oil, one part of pure carbolic 

 (Gresser's or Calvert's, not the crude or brown form) to 

 twenty of sweet oil. Half an ounce to one ounce of the 

 mixture should be put into the vagina afterwards, to prevent 

 inflammation (the result of injury, or of the presence of putrid 

 matter, as when the lamb is dead), which induces " straining." 



