DISEASES OF SHEEP 477 



in the form of a drench. This can be done when the sheep is in the 

 standing position or when thrown on its haunches and held between 

 the knees. The standing position is to be preferred and it is best to 

 give the drench with a small dose syringe. Care should be taken to 

 not throw the head too far back, especially if the drench is bulky or 

 irritating, as a part may get into the air passages and cause serious 

 trouble. If a prompt, energetic effect is desired, and the drug non- 

 irritating, it may be injected into the tissue beneath the skin. In 

 sheep, this method of administration is seldom used. 



Liniments, blisters and poultices are applied to the skin for their 

 local effect. Absorption does not readily take place unless consid- 

 erable friction is used in applying the medicine or the outer layer of 

 skin is removed by blistering or by other means. 



Volatile drugs as chloroform, ether, etc., are rapidly absorbed by 

 the enormous vascular surface of the lungs. Anesthetics are seldom 

 used in this class of animals and when medicine is administered by 

 way of the respiratory track it is generally used in different respira- 

 tory diseases. This is done by partly filling a pail with boiling water, 

 adding to it an ounce or two of creolin, turpentine or whatever drug 

 is desired and allowing the sheep to inhale the vapors as they rise 

 from the pail. To direct the steam toward the animal's nose, a light 

 stable blanket can be thrown over the head of the sheep and allowed 

 to drop over the sides of the pail. 



An enema or clyster is a fluid injection into the rectum and is 

 for the following purposes: (a) to increase the action of a purgative; 

 (b) to stimulate the peristaltic movement of the intestines; (c) for 

 a local effect on the rectum, and (d) to administer medicine and sup- 

 ply food. An injection is generally given for its purgative effect and 

 it is best to allow the fluid to gravitate into the bowels from a height 

 of about two feet. The apparatus needed for this purpose is a funnel 

 and two or three feet of rubber tubing with a nozzle at one end. Be- 

 fore introducing the nozzle into the rectum it should be lubricated 

 with vaseline. In giving a large injection, it is best to elevate the 

 hind parts of the animal. 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. 

 STOMATITIS; SORE MOUTH. 



Causes. The lining membrane of the mouth of sheep is rather 

 delicate, but so carefully do they select their feed that it is seldom 

 injured. Stomatitis, or sore mouth, may be seen as a complication 

 in infections and febrile diseases. Young and debilitated lambs 

 when kept in unhygienic quarters (poorly ventilated, filthy, damp 

 stables) are prone to the ulceration form of sore mouth. The dis- 

 ease seems to 'be communicated from one lamb to the other and is no 

 doubt due to some of the pathogenic germs. 



Symptoms. In simple stomatitis the parts are congested, swoll- 

 en and inflamed. At first the lining membrane is dry, but in a short 

 time the secretions become excessive and the saliva dribbles from the 

 mouth. The decomposition of the food, etc., going on in the mouth 

 gives rise to a very disagreeable odor. Eating is quite painful and 



