ENZOOTIC DISEASES. 207 



solution of one grain of sulphate of zinc, and 20 drops of lauda- 

 num, in one ounce of water. After recovery, the feed should be 

 laxative and nutritious ; bran mashes, and boiled oats, or corn- 

 meal mush, with a little powdered ginger or gentian, and a pinch 

 of powdered blue vitriol, (sulphate of copper), in each mess, would 

 be useful. If not readily taken hi the food, this tonic may be 

 given for a few days in honey or molasses. Shelter is absolutely 

 necessary during treatment and recovery. 



Dysentery may be distinguished from diarrhea by its more se- 

 vere symptoms, there being much fever ; the dung is mixed with 

 blood and mucus, has a fetid smell, is discharged frequently, and 

 is generally in hard lumps and scanty ; it is also voided with pain, 

 and the sheep arches its back and moans in its passages. The 

 wool feels harsh, and after a short time may be pulled off in hand- 

 f uls. Sudden changes of pasture, from poor to rich, or from rich 

 to poor ; dry, indigestible food ; scanty or impure water ; severely 

 hot and damp weather such as produces rust in grain, and negle'ct- 

 ed diarrhea, are the chief causes. Where large flocks are kept on 

 extensive ranges, the best course is to remove to some other pas- 

 ture, where the water is good, the ground high and dry, and other 

 favorable conditions abound. The treatment proper for this dis- 

 ease is to give a laxative in the first instance, as follows : 



Linseed-oil.. 2 ounces. 



Powdered Opium 2 grains. 



to be given in linseed tea or oat-meal gruel. The linseed or oat- 

 meal should be continued several times during the next twenty- 

 four hours, both as nutriment and for its soothing qualities. The 

 next day, and for several days, the opium should be repeated with 

 one dram of ginger. An occasional dose of linseed-oil may be 

 given if thought necessary. It can do no harm, in any event, if 

 given every other day. The effect of a hot sun, in an unshaded 

 pasture, is very aggravating to this disease. Sheep suffering from 

 it should be kept, if possible, in a cool shed, and separated from 

 the rest of the flock. A pasture that has been occupied by such 

 sheep will certainly infect others that may feed upon it during 

 warm weather, the dung conveying the poison to the herbage. 



Red- Water. When sheep are suffered to pasture upon succulent 

 green crops, such as rape, mustard, or turnips, late in the fall or 

 in the early winter, and the fodder is covered with hoar frost or 

 sleet, or when they are forced to scrape their food from beneath 

 the snow, swallowing a large portion of snow with their food, or 

 when the stock water is drawn from filthy ponds or sloughs, they 



