CHAPTER VI. 



DISEASES OF SHEEP. 



Throughout the greater portion of Australia sheep, particularly 

 in the newly settled districts, are singularly free from disease. 

 Indeed it would be safe to say that the sheep in Australia (with the 

 exception of the coastal districts) suffer from no ailment but such 

 as have been introduced into the country. The pioneer sheep 

 farmers in central Australia used to say that their sheep suffered 

 from no disease save starvation in a season of drought. It is a 

 proof of the healthy condition of our sheep that over the greater 

 portion of our island continent such a thing as a remedy for 

 disease in the sheep is almost unknown on the sheep walks. The 

 usual course on a run when a sheep is attacked by disease is to let 

 him take his chance. Where a number of sheep die from some 

 unknown cause, it is usually ascribed to poison plant. 



It has been noticed, however, in the older settled districts that 

 the sheep are beginning to be attacked by a number of diseases 

 \\hich, until lately, were unknown in the land. Many of these 

 diseases have caused serious losses during seasons that have been 

 favorable to their development and dispersion. Some diseases 

 that are now established in the old settled districts are not amen- 

 able to treatment, while others yield to remedies but very slowly. 



The pulse of the sheep at rest beats at the rate of from sixty 

 to eighty beats per minute. It is usually examined by placing the 

 hand on the left side, where the beating of the heart may be felt. 

 Any material deviation from the rate given may be taken as an 

 indication of disease. If rapid, hard and full, it is a symptom of 

 high fever or inflammation. If rapid, small and weak, it is an 

 indication of low fever, loss of blood and weakness. If slow, the 

 probabilities are that the trouble is in the brain ; if irregular, the 

 heart is probably affected. 



The great point in attempting a cure is first to ascertain the 

 real nature of the disease, and not to rush to violent remedies on a 

 mere supposition. 



When sheep die from some unknown cause a careful post- 

 mortem examination should be made, in order to locate the trouble. 

 In making this post-iiiorlciu examination the hands, should be free 

 from any cuts or wounds, or the operator may suffer seriously from 

 blood poisoning. It is well to have a supply of carbolic acid tr 

 apply in a strong solution to the hands, after being well washed 



