208 THE SHEPHERD'S MANUAL. 



are subject to a peculiar disorder which often affects the majority 

 of the flock quite suddenly, and is known as red-water. In this 

 country this disease is rare, being known chiefly in the south-west 

 and west, along with the last mentioned disease and some other 

 disorders originating from exposure and unwholesome food or 

 water, under the general name of murrain. The symptoms of 

 this disease agree with those of a so-called " unknown and new 

 disease" affecting sheep in the west, which has been described 

 recently by correspondents of the Agricultural Department at 

 Washington. The sheep affected appear dull and stupid, and 

 stagger, carrying the head upon one side, the eyes are staring, and 

 sometimes blind, and the bowels are obstinately costive. They 

 die in a few hours. When opened the belly of the sheep is found 

 filled with a red fluid wrongly supposed to be blood. There is 

 also general congestion of the principal organs. 



As a preventive, the use of salt is recommended, and a table- 

 spoonful of pine tar given to each sheep every ten days has been 

 found useful. A pound of Epsom salts dissolved in water with 

 two oz. of ground ginger, may be given to every ten sheep. The 

 simple removal of the causes and a brisk .purgative or diuretic 

 would doubtless lead to a recovery if given in time. When 

 inflammation occurs from neglect, the bowels become affected, and 

 death is rapid. The peculiar nature of the sheep makes treatment 

 at this stage almost hopeless, but if it is attempted, that prescribed 

 for inflammation of the bowels would be proper. 



After-Pains in Ewes, or parturient apoplexy, arises in conse- 

 quence of a feverish condition at the time of lambing. It oc- 

 curs about the second or third day, and its presence is shown by 

 panting, straining, heaving of the flanks, a staring look, scanty 

 and high colored and strong smelling urine, costiveness, and swell- 

 ing and redness of the external hinder parts, which finally be- 

 come purple and black. After death the whole system is con- 

 gested, and the veins filled with black blood ; the uterus or womb, 

 is charged with pus, the absorption of which poisoning the blood, 

 is the cause of death. This disease is easily prevented by reduc- 

 ing the condition of the ewes when it can safely be done. The 

 safe time is some weeks before lambing, when a gentle purgative 

 should be given and the food gradually reduced. A bran mash 

 with 15 grains of saltpeter may be given daily for a few days. A 

 very gradual course of depletion only should be adopted. If, 

 after lambing, trouble is anticipated, the appearance of the ewe 

 should be closely watched. If the pains occur, the following 

 sedative should be given at once : 



