A YEAR WITH THE EWES. 113 



with reasonable care, because they are not of abnormal size. This 

 is not, however, always the case, as sometimes one lamb is unusually 

 large and the other very small. When the lambs are both making 

 normal presentations there is no particular trouble, unless both 

 come forward at once, when one must be shoved back and the other 

 taken out, leaving room for the second. They sometimes lie " head 

 to feet," and one may be taken as a normal and the other as a rear 

 presentation if there is room, or each must be treated as an indi- 

 vidual case, according to its position. Care must always be taken 

 not to mix the legs of the two lambs when help has to be given, 

 and many cases where there are twins are erroneously treated 

 because one lamb only is assumed to be present. 



When the ewe's time has come, and the water-bladder has 

 appeared, yet no other signs are apparent, as the ewe will not 

 strain, or straining cannot bring the lamb forward, there is often 

 a dead lamb within her beyond the reach of the shepherd. Artificial 

 pains should be induced by means of ewe drinks (sold specially 



A CLAMP FOR EWES. 



prepared for the purpose) in which there is generally ergot. These 

 are not always effective, and the ewe frequently succumbs. Before 

 lambing, ewes are liable to e version of the uterus, when the breeding 

 bag is forced out. A simple and useful clamp for retaining the 

 bag is to be obtained from Mr. Huish, 8, Fisher Street, W.C. 

 When the bag is protruded it should be put back and retained 

 by the clanip, or by a piece of tape stitched across the shape. 

 The tape should be wiped with an antiseptic (such as carbolic 

 acid and olive oil, in the proportion of one to seven, or one of 

 the advertised carbolised oils) to prevent contagion of any kind. 

 The tape must be cut or the clamp be removed when lambing is 

 imminent, otherwise the ewe will be badly torn, or she may not 

 be able to get rid of her lamb, and die from exhaustion. 



As soon as possible after being born the lamb should be induced 

 to suckle. Healthy lambs give little trouble, as they soon find the 

 teat. In the case of a weakly one, the teat should be placed in its 

 mouth and a small quantity of milk be milked into it. It will soon 

 gain ^strength. It is advisable in all cases to draw the teats to 



