504 BRITISH HUSBANDRY. [Ch. XL. 



some puttins^ a hog-ring through the sides of the orifice ; others en^.ploy- 

 intr twine for the same purpose ; while a few pass a piece of lead of the 

 size of a crow-quill through its lips, and twist the lead to secure it. When 

 expertly performed, either mode answers very well, and the ew'e brings up 

 her lamb without further inconvenience ; but the hog-iron has been objected 

 to as being subject to rust*. 



The bidders of ewes, after they have been weaned, are not unfrequently 

 affected by tumours, which, if not attended to, sometimes end in mortifica- 

 tion. The part should be frequently rubbed with camphorated spirits of 

 wine; and if it suppurates, it must be opened with a sharp instrument, 

 after which the wound may be cured with any healing salve. Prevention 

 is, however, better than cure, and the disease may be avoided by milking 

 the ewes, as we have already stated, a few times after the weaning. 



Lambs sometimes perish in consequence of the ewes having sore teats, 

 and therefore refusing to let them suck. When this occurs, the lamb 

 should be either immediately put to a house ewe, in the manner which 

 has been already described, or else fed twice a-day with milk, either that 

 of a cow, or taken warm by hand from the ewe. The udder should be 

 bathed for some time with tepid water, and afterwards washed with spirits, 

 or a slight infusion of sugar of lead, or goulard. This, if often carefully 

 repeated, will generally be successful ; but if not, and much inflamma- 

 tion takes place, it must be poulticed, in order to create suppuration. 



Besides the various casualties above enumerated, sheep are also subject 

 to sustain various injuries from being wounded, in different ways, into the 

 detail of which we cannot enter, their cure more properly belonging to 

 professional men ; yet, in case of common accidents, a shepherd should 

 always be provided with some heaUng balsam, or emollient salve, of some 

 of which he ought not to be ignorant. 



Regarding the signs of health in sheep, it has been correctly observed 

 that, " when he is in good order, he carries his head high; the eye is of a 

 clear azure, with a quick and lively aspect; the mouth is clean and of a 

 bright red ; the gums ruddy, the teeth fast, and the muzzle dry ; the nostrils 

 damp without being mucous, the breath free from any bad smell, the feet 

 cool, and the dung substantial. The hams are strong, and tl}e limbs 

 nimble ; the wool firmly adhering to the skin, which ought to bear a 

 reddish tint, with a soft, mellow feel of suppleness; and, more especially, 

 the appetite should be goodf." 



Chapter XL. 

 ON GOATS AND DEER. 



The goat is so similar in formation to the sheep, that many naturalists 

 consider them as one original species, and even those who view them as 



* Price on the Romney Marsh Management of Sheep, p. 143, 



•f In order to examine tlie eye more closely, let the shepherd place the sheep between 

 his legs, and grasp the head with both his hands. Then, with his thumbs, he pidls the 

 eyelids asunder, and if the veins of the v/hite of the eye are very apparent and of a 

 lively red, and if the flesh at the corner of the eye and at the side of the nose is also of .1 

 lively red hue, it is a good sign. To know if the hams are strong, if the sheep be seized 

 by one of his hind legs, and he struggles hard to release it, it is a proof that he is vigor- 

 ous in that part. — Price, " On Sheep," p. 30. 



