334 DISEASES OF SHEEP. 



will answer a good purpose : Sulphate of iron, in powder, 

 ten grains ; gentian, in powder, thirty grains ; ginger, in 

 powder, thirty grains. To be given in linseed-meal gruel 

 once a day for a few days. It is the experience of almost 

 every sheep-farmer, and sometimes too dearly bouglit, 

 that to place sheep on wet and marshy land, even for a few 

 days, is certain to generate this disease, notwithstanding 

 the animals may have been in perfect health prior to his 

 placing them there. Before placing sheep on pasture 

 where there is access to any bog or marsh, it will amply 

 repay the time and trouble to fence it in ; or have sufficient 

 sheep-drains opened through it six months before any sheep 

 are put on it. 



Sheep-drains are wide, and not filled up with tiles or 

 stones, but left open. The shepherd can find time to keep 

 both the sheep in order, and the drains clean of rubbishy 

 except in the lambing and clipping season. 



Sheep Laurel, Poisoning by. — Kabnia. A shrub, 

 the leaves and young twigs of which sheep and lauibs are 

 very fond, and when eaten by them to considerable quan- 

 tity gives rise to a disease called hoven or impaction of the 

 rumen, accompanied by a staggering gait, sleepiness, and 

 inability to Avalk. 



Treatment. To be successful must be timely as well as 

 energetic, with a view to arousing the power of the stomach, 

 and for this purpose two drachm doses of the spirits of 

 ammonia may be given in a tumbler full of cold water once 

 in the hour, till three or four doses are given ; Avithholding 

 the medicine when the animal recovers, though one dose 

 only has been given. 



Sinall-pOX. — Variola Ovina. Fortunately this disease 

 has as yet been confined to Europe, and more especially 



