191 DOMESTIC ANESIALS. 



of cmerc^cricy; but the administration of the more potent drugs ought 

 to be intrusted to the veterinary surgeon, hy whom alone all important 

 operations ouglit to be performed. Kead's enema and stomach-pump 

 adapted to siieep, should be in every breeder's hands, and kept con- 

 stantly ready for use. In the treatment of many of the diseases of 

 sheep^ the advantages of purgative or of sedative injections are too much 

 overlooked. Aperient injections may consist of a liandful of common 

 salt, or an ounce or two ounces of Epsom salts, with a wineglassful of 

 linseed oil, mixed in a pint of water or thin gruel. Sedative injections, 

 in cases of diarrhoea and dysentery, may consist of a pint of gruel or 

 starch, with three or four grains of powdered opium, or fifty drops of 

 hiudanum. 



Ap"ri(!llts. — In administering medicines to the sheep, the fluid should 

 be allowed to trickle slowly and gently down the gullet or oesophagus, 

 as we have already urged in the case of the ox, and for the same rea- 

 sons — the structure of the stomach being in both animals on the same 

 plan. To give medicine in a hurried manner, so as to force the animal 

 to gulp it, is to defeat the very object intended; it will force the pillars 

 of the oesophagean canal, enter the insensible paunch, and there con- 

 tinue inert. It may here be as well to observe, that the doses of medi- 

 cine for sheep, in general are about one-sixth in cjuantity of what are 

 usually given to cattle. Young lambs require only a third, or half the 

 quantity of medicine constituting a dose for an adult sheep. 



The following medicines are the most valuable aperients: 



Common Sjilf (Chloride of Sodium or Muriate of Soda). — Salt is a tonic 



in moderate doses, and of great benefit in the rot. It should always 

 be accessible to the flock. In doses of one or two ounces, dissolved in 

 four or six ounces of gruid, it forms an excellent aperient. 



Epsom Salts (SulphalC of Magnesia). — An excellent purgative, and that 

 which is most commonly employed. Its dose ranges from half an ounce 

 to two or three ounces. The repetition of small doses at intervals of six 

 hours wiil keep up the action of the first full dose when desirable; or 

 sulj)hur may be employed for this purpose. 



Sulphur. — Sulpliur, besides its value in cutaneous affections, is very 

 useful as an aperient, especially for keeping up the action of the bowels 

 after the operation of salts. Dose, from one to two ounces. Sulphur is 

 the base of every ointment hv the cure of mange. 



Aloes. — This drug is not only very uncertain in its operation in sheep, 

 but has often proved fatal, by inducing direct inflammation. It is in- 

 valuable as a horse medicine, but should never be administered to the 

 sheep. 



Linseed Oil. — Linseed oil is occasionally used as a purgative; it is 

 given in doses of two or three ounces. 



ALTERATIVES AND SPECIFIC MEDICINES.— These are medicines whi di 

 exert a peculiar influence on certain organs, altering their diseased action, 

 or stimulating their respective secretions. Some act more especially on 

 the liver, others on the glandular system, and some on the skin; while 

 one exerts a peculiar action on the muscular fibers of the uterus. A 

 knowledge of the effects of these medicines has been gained by experi- 

 ence ; but wc know nothing of their modus operonuli. 



