498 DISEASES OF CATTLE, SHEEP, GOATS, ETC. 



era! depression, muscular weakness and collapse. The animal soon 

 goes down, is restless and finally dies. 



Treatment. The treatment consists in diffusible stimulants (al- 

 cohol in half ounce doses every few hours) tincture of digitalis in 

 teaspoonful doses to sustain the heart and cold douches on the head 

 and fore parts. If the body temperature is sub-normal ward baths 

 can be given. 



SUN STROKE. 



The cause of sun stroke is exposure to severe summer heat and 

 may occur during or after hard exercise, especially if the sheep is fat 

 or out of condition. 



Symptoms. The symptoms are as follows: rapid breathing, 

 open mouth, reddened, prominent eyes, high temperature, unsteady 

 gait, convulsions and death. Unless the treatment is prompt, the 

 prognosis is unfavorable. 



Treatment. During warm weather conditions that may cause 

 sun stroke should be avoided. When a sheep becomes affected, place 

 it in a shady place and apply cold water to the head, neck and entire 

 body. This can be done by placing the sheep in a tub or tank for 

 a few minutes. The medicinal treatment is the same as that used 

 in heat stroke. 



DISEASES OF THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM. 



ABORTION. 



Abortion occurs when the foetus is expelled twenty days before 

 the normal period. It is not a common accident among ewes. 



Causes. Abortion may be due to the following causes: ergo- 

 tized grass, acrid plants; frozen food or water if taken in large 

 amounts, filthy water, indigestible foods, or food of a bad quality. 

 Injuries to the abdomen, general diseases, excitement, over-exertion 

 and fear or fright produced by dogs. Poorly cared for and neglected 

 ewes may abort as well as extremely fat ones. 



Symptoms. The symptoms will vary and in some cases are so 

 trifling that the accident is not noticed at the time. The ewe may, 

 however, become quite uneasy and bleat continually. The genital 

 organs are enlarged, a glazy like discharge is seen around the lips 

 of the vulva and sometimes a portion of the foetal membrane is visi- 

 ble. Soon after these symptoms are manifested, the foetus is ex- 

 pelled. If the abortion becomes complicated by retention of the 

 foetal membranes, the ewe will remain away from the rest of the 

 flock, is dull, feverish and refuses to eat. If properly treated, these 

 symptoms pass away in a short time. It may terminate in an in- 

 flammation of the womb, but this is not common. The lamb is 

 usually dead. 



Treatment. The treatment is mainly preventive and consists 

 in avoiding such conditions as may cause the accident. When the 

 maternal passages are not prepared for the entrance of the foetus, the 

 ewe is in pain and becomes very restless. The pain can be relieved 

 and the parts relaxed somewhat by hot applications to the region of 

 the pelvis. The ewe must be given a good bed and kept in a quiet 



