DISEASES OF LAMBS. 245 



keep the wound open until it heals from the bottom. If allowed 

 to close before the bottom is healed, an abscess will be formed, 

 which will need to be opened. If the wound is in such a 

 position that the pus formed cannot escape freely, it should be 

 removed twice a day by means of a feather or a swab of linen 

 at the end of a small stick, and the plug soaked in tincture of 

 benzoin inserted. If any foreign matter, such as a splinter of 

 wood, remains in the wound, it must be removed, if necessary 

 by enlarging the wound, before it can heal. A wound that is dif- 

 ficult to heal from its depth and narrowness, may sometimes be 

 made more tractable by opening and enlarging it at the top. 

 Lacerated wounds will need to be treated as both incised and 

 punctured wounds. Where the torn parts can be brought to- 

 gether, stitches should be made, and where the flesh is separated 

 from the surrounding tissue, the fragments may be cut off. The 

 deeper parts should then be treated as punctured wounds. Such 

 wounds are long in healing, because skin is reproduced only from 

 the edges of the sound surface. As many of the lacerated por- 

 tions of skin as possible should be brought together, so as to form 

 edges from which the^new growth may start. It will be a ques- 

 tion if the value of the sheep in this case will repay the time and 

 labor spent in treating it. If not, to take its skin at the outset 

 may be the most advisable course. To cure a large wound in the 

 fly season is a work of much trouble. 



Sprains are not uncommon accidents in a large flock. They are 

 reduced very easily by rest, and the use of a liniment such as 



Olive-oil 1 pint. 



Ammonia Water... 2 ounces. 



DISEASES PECULIAR TO LAMBS. 



Lambs frequently fall victims to some diseases which seem to 

 affect them more virulently than they do grown-up sheep, or else 

 the young animal having less strength or vitality than the mature 

 one, more easily succumbs to those diseases. In its earlier life 

 it is also affected with some disorders peculiar to its condition. 

 These diseases call for special treatment. The most troublesome 

 ailment to which lambs are subject, are those of the digestive or- 

 gans, and chief amongst this is 



Diarrhea or " White Scours". In the unweaned lamb diarrhea 

 takes the form generally known as " white scours." This appears 



