198 SHEEP DISEASES. 



Treatment: Immediate change of food. One 

 dram of tannic acid (sixty grains) dissolved in a 

 pint of water, to which is added a teaspoonful 

 sweet spirit of nitre. The latter will neutralize 

 the action of the poison in the blood to some extent, 

 while the tannic acid renders the ergot in the 

 stomach inert. Cutting off the ears or tail is some- 

 times indicated. Painting the necrosed areas 

 with balsam of Peru will help these to heal, in case 

 of recovery. 



11. Deadly Nightshade. 



Botanical name Solanum nigrum. 

 Common name Deadly nightshade. 



A smooth, wide-branching weed, growing one or 

 two feet high, with clusters of white flowers. The 

 berries, which ripen along in the late summer, are 

 black, almost round, and very juicy. It is com- 

 mon to all sections of the United States. 



Symptoms: Giddiness; dilated pupils; great 

 abdominal pain; convulsions, followed by paralysis 

 and death. 



Treatment: As this very rarely causes death in 

 sheep, treatment is a secondary consideration. A 

 teaspoonful of soda dissolved in a pint of water 

 may be given, and stimulants, such as whiskey, 

 sweet spirit of nitre or ether, are indicated. 



12. Woody Aster. 



Botanical name Xylorhiza Parryi [Gray]. 



This plant, found in Wyoming, and growing on 

 gumbo-clay soil, has killed many sheep in the 



