196 THE SHEPHERD'S MANUAL. 



of salt, placed where the sheep can have access to it at will, is a 

 sure preventive of costiveness. 



DiarrTiea or Scours. A looseness of the bowels, without pain, 

 fever, or other complications, frequently occurs when sheep are 

 turned to pasture in the spring, or turned on to rich succulent 

 green food, as clover, rape, or turnips. It is sometimes perceived 

 when they are exposed to the hot sun in early spring without 

 shelter. It is not dangerous of itself, but as the disease very 

 quickly interferes with the process of nutrition, the blood is soon 

 affected, and the more serious blood disorder, dysentery, super- 

 venes. Diarrhea may generally be prevented by careful regula- 

 tion of the food, and avoiding sudden changes, and the regular 

 supply of salt. It is quickly subject to proper treatment, which 

 consists of the administration of astringents and cordial prepara- 

 tions. The following mixture should always be kept on hand by 

 the shepherd, ready for instant use : 



Prepared Chalk 1 ounce. 



" Catechu 4 drams. 



" Ginger 2 



" Opium Va 4 



to be mixed with half a pint of peppermint water and bottled for 

 use. Two large tablespoonf uls of this is given night and morning 

 to a sheep, and half as much to a lamb, always previously shaking 

 the mixture well. Cotton-seed-cake-meal is both an excellent pre- 

 ventive and remedy for this complaint, and a supply should be 

 kept for use. Half a pound a day should be given to a sheep. 



If any mucus or glutinous substance appears in the dung it is 

 a proof of the existence of irritating matter in the intestines, and 

 a laxative should be given previously to the above. This may be 



Linseed-oil 2 ounces. 



Powdered Ginger 1 dram. 



OK 



Epsom Salts 1 ounce. 



Ginger i/ a dram. 



Gentian i/ 2 dram. 



to be given in infusion of linseed-meal. 



Hoven, or distension of the rumen, is not uncommon in sheep. 

 It consists in the formation of gas in the first stomach, or rumen, 

 by which it is so much distended as to press injuriously upon the 

 diaphragm or membrane which encloses the chest. This prevent- 

 ing the contraction of the diaphragm interferes with the respira- 

 tion. It appears as an enlargement of the left side of the abdomen, 

 by which the skin is tightly drawn until in apparent danger of 



