344 DR. LEGEAR'S STOCK BOOK. 



The sheep may be walked through a trough or vat containing 

 either of the above solutions. 



The sheep should be kept in perfectly dry pens, and dry up- 

 land pastures. 



ROT, OR LIVER FLUKE. 



This condition is due to the presence of a parasite (Distoma 

 hepaticum), or common liver fluke. These flukes, or parasites, 

 are the cause of the disease, and have- a peculiar life-history. 

 The fluke worm lays the eggs in the ducts (vessels) of the liver; 

 these ova, or eggs, descend into the bowels and pass out with 

 the feces; after which they gain entrance into the soft-bodied 

 mollusks found in stagnant water. The sheep, on drinking the 

 water, take into the stomach these mollusks, which contain the 

 parasites of the disease. They soon gain access to the liver, and 

 when developed deposit their eggs, to go the same round of 

 existence again. These parasites, when full grown, vary in size 

 from one-half to one inch in length, and may be two-thirds of 

 an inch wide. 



Symptoms. The animal is dull and inactive; there is yellow- 

 ness of the lining membrane of the eye, best s-e^n when the eyelid 

 iV pushed back; the abdomen becomes large and pendant (pot- 

 bellied), the back becomes razor-like, the flanks tucked up, 

 usually with dropsical swellings in different parts of the body. 

 The breathing becomes quick and short, and the animal suffers 

 from diarrhoea and great weakness, followed by stupor and 

 death. 



Treatment. Remove the sheep to a high, dry pasture, and 

 give them water to drink from a deep well. Feed on highly nu- 

 tritive food. Prepare and give the following: 



