234 DISEASES OF SHEEP. 



tions are often slimy and bloody, and the disease sometimes terminates 

 fatally in a few days. It sometimes follows diarrhoea, hut is gene- 

 rally produced hy change of food or pasture and exposure to bad 

 weather. Lambs aie rather more liable to the disease than sheep, 

 and it has been found to attack them very frequently on coming from 

 low lands to high. The treatment should consist in giving mild laxa- 

 tives, such as — 



RECIPE (No. 22). 

 Take linseed-oil, two ounces ; powdered opium, two grains ; to be mixed with lin- 

 seed-tea. Linseed and oatmeal gruel should be given several times a day, and tlie 

 second day tlie medicine No. 21 siiould be administered. 



SECTION XVI. 



INDIGESTION AND DEBILITY. 



Bad management, and that alone, causes the appearance of these 

 complaints in a flock. When sheep have been over-driven, and ex- 

 cessively wearied; or ewes have had twins, and have afterwards 

 been kept with their lambs on scanty pasture, where there was not 

 enough even for the mother; or have yeaned very early, before there 

 was any flush of grass ; or, during the winter, have not yet been sup- 

 plied with a proper quantity of hay or corn — in all these cases, the 

 sheep are apt to pine away. They do not seem to relish their food, 

 but wander over the field picking a little here and tiicre, the belly 

 being tucked up and the back bowed. 



The remedy for this is simple enough if the sheep have not been 

 neglected too long. It is plain that the powers of dicrestion are 

 weakened or suspended, and the object to be accomplished is to rouse 

 them once more to their proper tone and action. A mild purgative 

 should lay the foundation for this. Half the Purging Drink (No. 2, 

 p. 200) should be given, and this followed up by tonics or stomachics. 

 Some farmers content themselves with giving a little good caudle for 

 two or three successive days, and with general good effect, except 

 that its sweetness is objectionable. The following mixture will be 

 preferable : — 



RECIPE (No. 2.3). 

 Tonic Drivk for Delnlity.— Take gentian and powdered caraway-seeds, of each an 

 ounce ; Colombo and ginger, of each half an ounce. Poiir a quart of boiling water 

 upon them, and let the infusion stand three days, well stirring it every day. Then 

 pour off the clear liquid, and bottle it for use. Give a table-spoonful daily, in a little 

 gruel, mixed with an equal quantity of good ale. 



Repeat the half-dose of physic a week afterwards, and put the 

 sheep on fresh and good pasture. 



