JOINT-ILL. 223 



will be desirable to thoroughly cleanse and disinfect the pens, 

 or even to remove them to another part of the field or farm- 

 stead. As to medicine, salt and sulphate of iron given to the 

 ewes morning and evening in their manger food will aid in 

 imparting tone to the system and improving the general health. 



All lambs born after the appearance of the disease in the 

 flock should have their navels carefully examined and dressed 

 for the first two or three days, or longer if necessary, with a 

 solution of carbolic acid, and until turned loose should be 

 folded on clean dry litter. 



Fouling of the pens should be carefully guarded against, and 

 cleanliness on the part of the shepherd ought to be strictly 

 enforced. 



The affected lambs will require to be confined in pens with 

 their dams, but it is not advisable to resort to any medicinal 

 treatment beyond a small dose of castor oil where constipation 

 of bowels exists, or a little carminative astringent in the case 

 of diarrhoea. The latter may be provided by mixing together 

 a small quantity of prepared chalk and powdered nutmeg, and 

 adding to it a small teaspoonful of brandy ; the whole to be 

 given in milk. Any good that may be done must be effected 

 chiefly through the milk of the dam, whose general health it 

 should be the aim and object to improve by a generous dietary 

 and ferruginous tonics. 



APHTHAE THRUSH. 



No less troublesome and fatal than the disease to which we 

 have referred is that disorder of the mouth, commonly known 

 as " thrush " or " canker," which so frequently prevails in our 

 lamb flocks during the spring months. 



Aphthse is an eruptive inflammation affecting the lining 

 membrane of the mouth, and frequently extending also to the 

 skin covering the lips and face. It is similar in character to a 

 disease of the human family, and with which most parents are 

 more or less familiar. 



