STAGGERS. 561 



dependent on the protection of tlie shepherd, sheep will be 

 found to assume a very different character. Rams and wedders 

 have been known to attack a single dog, and in general are 

 found more than a match for one of ordinary strength. But 

 when danger of an imminent kind presents itself, the whole 

 flock assume an attitude of defence, — forming themselves 

 into a compact body, with the females and young in the 

 centre, the males place themselves in the front, and, keep- 

 ing close to each other, boldly wait the attack ; and when 

 their enemy has approached within a few yards, the rams 

 dart upon him with such impetuosity, as to lay him dead, 

 unless he takes to flight, and thus eludes their vengeance. 

 Dogs and foxes have no chance of breaking their ranks 

 when thus formed. 



CHAPTER I. 



DISEASES OF THE HEAD, ETC. 



STAGGERS. 



Symptoms. — This malady has a variety of names applied to 

 it, as indicating various diseases, namely, sturdy, goggles, 

 fernsick, and hydrocephaltis, or water in the head ; but they 

 are in fact only one. 



The staggers is a disease which more particularly attacks 

 young sheep or hogs, from a year to eighteen months old. 

 Sheep that have died of this disorder, on their skull being 

 opened, a collection of water has been found between the 



4 c 



