82 On the Diseases of Sheep, ^c. 



June 20, 1813. 

 Great numbers of sheep (many valuable Merinos) 

 have fallen victims, this season, to the worm in the 

 head. A Tunis sheep of high blood, nor any of its 

 crosses (except in one instance with a Merino) never 

 have been known to have worms in the head. The 

 nostril of this sheep is differently formed, from those 

 of common sheep ; so as to exclude flies, or other in- 

 sects. Nor are they subject to mucous defluxions at 

 the noses, in any degree equal to other sheep. It is 

 supposed that the sheep fly deposits its eggs, or worm, 

 in the mucus of the nose ; and that by this means, 

 access to the fatal deposit in the head is gained. The 

 passages of the nostrils of common sheep, in hot wea- 

 ther, when they breathe violently, are widely distended; 

 and they may inhale, probably, the fly, or their ova. 

 Some repellant of tar, or other substance disgusting 

 to the fly, might be applied to the nostril ; if this con- 

 jecture, as to the cause of the malady, be well found- 

 ed. It will be highly conducive to the interest of 

 sheep breeders, if both cause and remedy were investi- 

 gated and communicated. See Mr. Capner^s account 

 of the worm in the head. Vol. 1. p. 133. 



This malady seems to be peculiarly fatal to sheep. 

 Whether other cloven footed animals are subject to it, 

 in a degree so destructive, I know not. Deer, and some 

 others of the Cei-vi, have worms in the head ; similar 

 to those in sheep. It is highly desirable that some re- 

 medies or preventives should be discovered, to save 

 our flocks ; which have become, under the circum- 

 stances of our country, objects of primary importance. 



