216 DISEASES OF SHEEP. 



the surface of the ground, so that the process of evoporation may have 

 commenced : it is also probable that the decomposition of vegetable 

 matter growing on the surface has much to do in producing the 

 complaint. 



If sheep-breeders would get more into the habit of having oxen to 

 turn upon the aftermath of their low and dangerous pastures, instead 

 of venturing so frequently to send their sheep there, because they 

 cannot afford to lose that portion of the crop, they would not suffer 

 the grievous losses which sometimes almost break them down. 



The preventive, then, seems plain enough. On good sound ground 

 the sheep need not fear the rot; and other stock should be kept on 

 the farm to pasture on the suspicious or dangerous places. The 

 draining should be effective where it is attempted, and no nook or 

 corner should escape. 



Can anything be done by way of cure? Probably there may, and 

 a great deal more than the farmer imagines. All, however, depends 

 upon the sla2:e of the disease. The liver may be diseased, but it 

 must not be disorganised ; it must not be tuberculated or ulcerated ; 

 and the flukes must not have burrowed too deeply into it. The 

 farmer, from habitual observation of his flock, must have discovered 

 it at the very commencement of its attack, or he must have been 

 made aware of it by the examination of some sheep that died, or that 

 had been slaughtered for the use of his family. Then he may do 

 good. Good is often done without his help. A succession of dry 

 weather will often stop, or at least retard, the ravages of the rot. If 

 moisture be the cause of it, he must remove that cause. He must 

 change the pasture, and drive his flock to the driest ground his farm 

 contains; and besides this, he must give a little dry meat — a little 

 hay. Some have advised to feed the suspected sheep altogether on 

 hay. This is carrying the matter a little too far : for in the prime of 

 the season the sheep will pine for the grass, and rapidly lose condi- 

 tion for want of it. A change to a thoroughly dry pasture will son)e- 

 times do wonders. At all events, it is w-orth trying. The animals 

 must, however, be carefully watched, and if it is not evident from 

 their more cheerful countenance and manner, and the diminution or 

 disappearance of the yellowness, that the disease is giving way, 

 advantage must be taken of their present condition, and they must be 

 turned over to the butcher. liCt the farmer at least do something: 

 let him either sell them at once, reckoning, and generally rightly, that 

 the first loss is the least; or let him set to work and endeavour to 

 combat the disease: but do not let him stand with folded arms, and 

 suffer the best of his flock to dwindle away one after another. 



As for the medical treatment of the rot in sheep, there are a great 

 many nostrums, but few, if any, have stood the test of extensive 

 experience. This has partly arisen from a cause which has already 

 been hinted at — the disease not being recognised and attacked before 

 it has made much inroad on the constitution, and when, or perhaps 

 when only, it will yield to medicirie. But I believe that with regard 



