492 HANDY-BOOK OP HUSBANDRY. 



" with a proper supply of food regularly administered, is usually a 

 " sufficient safeguard ; and after some years of experience, during 

 *' which I have tried a variety of experiments on this disease, I 

 " resort to no other remedies — in other words, I do nothing for 

 " those occasional cases of ordinary catarrh which arise in my 

 " flock ; and they never prove fatal." 



" Colic OR Stretches. — The cause of this disease is generally 

 " costiveness. The paroxysms recur at intervals. During the 

 " continuance of them the sheep stretches itself incessantly, and 

 " often twists about its head as if in severe pain. It lies down 

 " and rises frequently. The termination is occasionally fatal, 

 " unless the bowels are promptly opened by medicine. An ounce 

 *' of Epsom salts dissolved in warm water, with a dram of ginger 

 " and a teaspoonful of peppermint, should be administered to 

 " a sheep, and half as much to a lamb. Three very excellent 

 " practical shepherds write me — the first, that ' he gives Epsom 

 " salts successfully for stretches ;' the second, that he ' uses a 

 " decoction of thoroughwort or boneset — that warm tea is also 

 " good 5' the third, that he ' employs castor-oil, and if the case is 

 " obstinate, a moderate dose of aloes.' Attacks of this disease 

 " become habitual to some sheep. It can always be prevented by 

 " giving green feed daily, or even once or twice a week." 



Dr. Randall states that he has never seen a case of parturient 

 or puerperal fever, and believes that it is exclusively confined to 

 English sheep. As English sheep have been largely introduced 

 into this country, the following statement concerning it, taken 

 from the 'Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society will be valu- 

 able :— 



" Symptoms. — The most early symptom that marks the com- 

 " mencement of this disease — first the ewe suddenly leaves her 

 " food, twitches both hind legs and ears, and returns again to her 

 ** food ; during the next two or three days she eats but little, 

 " appears dull and stupid ; after this time there is a degree of 

 " general weakness, loss of appetite and giddiness, and a discharge 

 " of dark color from the vagina ; while the flock is driven from 



