482 DISEASES OF CATTLE, SHEEP, GOATS, ETC. 



Symptoms. The sheep stops feeding, looks anxious and saliva 

 dribbles from the mouth. The respirations are hurried and more 

 or less difficult. Bloating may occur. If the choke is complete the 

 animal is unable to take liquid or solid food and death may occur in 

 a few hours. If incomplete the symptoms are not marked and the 

 accident generally terminates favorably. 



Treatment. If the foreign body is lodged in the back part of 

 the mouth or pharynx it can be removed with a blunt hook or a long 

 iron spoon; if in the neck portion of the oesophagus, it may be 

 worked back into the pharynx by pressure with the thumbs just 

 below the object. If unable to force the object back into the mouth 

 we must then resort to the probang and endeavor to force it on into 

 the stomach. This instrument is several feet in length, hollow and 

 has a bulb at the lower end. A probang for sheep should be half 

 an inch in diameter, flexible and strong. In an emergency a light 

 rod of hickory or elm rounded at both ends, the lower end covered 

 with a piece of chamois firmly fastened, may be used. Heavy 

 walled small rubber tubing will answer for the ordinary case. It 

 is best to drench the sheep with an ounce or two of oil and smear 

 the instrument with oil before passing it. The best position for 

 the sheep is on its rump, the body gripped between the knees and 

 the fore feet held with the hands. The operator should then grasp 

 the tongue with one hand, draw it out of the mouth, rest the end 

 of the probang against the hard palate and pass it rapidly into the 

 oesophagus. It may require considerable pressure with the pro- 

 bang to remove the object, also the exercise of good judgment 

 in doing this or the wall of the oesophagus may be injured. 



DYSENTERY IN LAMBS ; WHITE SCOURS. 



Causes. This is not an uncommon disease of young lambs. 

 A weak constitution and unhygienic surroundings, damp, dirty, 

 overcrowded, poorly ventilated quarters, are important predispos- 

 ing causes. Retention of the meconium is at times a cause of 

 scours. The most common causes are too much milk and varia- 

 tions in its character. It may be due to a contagious element that 

 gains entrance to the body by way of the umbilical cord. 



Symptoms. The lamb is dull, depressed, is careless of the 

 teat and refuses to suckle. Constipation may precede the diarrhea. 

 The lamb sometimes shows evidence of abdominal pain by switch- 

 ing the tail and acting uneasy. If fermentation takes place the 

 abdomen is distended. The diarrhea is foul smelling, the tail, hips, 

 and legs soon become soiled, the animal is feverish, extremities 

 cold, and rapidly becomes weak and emaciated. Death may fol- 

 low as a result of exhaustion. If the cause of the disease is of infec- 

 tious origin a large per cent of the lambs will die. 



Treatment. This is largely preventive. Dry, well ventilated, 

 clean quarters should be provided and the lamb should be allowed 

 plenty of exercise. If the mother's milk does not agree with the 

 lamb and the fault is in the ration or general management, it 

 should be corrected. If the diarrhea is due to a specific cause, the 

 quarters must be cleaned and disinfected. As soon as the disease 



