202 BRITISH SHEEP AND SHEPHERDING. 



known to all practical sheep men ; but we have seen farm hands so 

 little interested in what does not happen to be their work, that 

 they would pass an animal in this helpless condition without taking 

 the momentary trouble of turning the unfortunate creature ; 

 an act of charity that any passing stranger should perform. 



The signs already mentioned as affecting individuals may be 

 wanting, and yet a flock be in serious danger of disease, as when 

 first invaded by the liver parasite called fluke. They will not 

 all suffer in the same degree, but the trained eye will observe a 

 failure to improve at the rate warranted by the keep or feeding, 

 and here is the great value of a good shepherd who will immediately 

 call attention to troubles that may be dealt with promptly, but 

 soon pass beyond remedy if not early detected. The suspicions 

 of the shepherd should lead to investigation, and it often proves 

 the most economical method to slaughter and make a post-mortem 

 examination of one or two of the first to fail with what may be 

 a disease afflicting the whole flock, more or less. Any signs of 

 constipation or of the opposite condition of diarrhoea must not be 

 passed over as of no consequence. A scrubby mountain side in 

 dry weather and the consumption of much woody fibre and in- 

 nutritious stuff may be the cause of the former, and a sudden 

 transference from dry food to cabbage or turnips or a lush pasture 

 may account for laxity of the bowels on the other hand, but scour 

 may be a sign of tapeworm, or of those myriad strongles which have 

 decimated many flocks. Stained quarters should be regarded 

 with suspicion, and the person in charge of sheep should make a 

 habit of observing their excrement, breaking up hard faeces and 

 looking closely into their composition with an eye for segments 

 of tapeworm and the fine, thread-like creatures alluded to as 

 strongles. Digestive disturbances are often shown by blowing 

 out of the flank or tympanites or the reverse condition of hollow 

 flank, indicating that want of moderate distension that is essential 

 to good digestion in all ruminants. Discharges from the nose, or 

 watering of the eyes have the same significance in sheep as in other 

 animals, and catarrh so recognised should lead to changed 

 conditions or medical treatment. Frequent posturing to urinate 

 without the required relief, or discolouration of the fluid, should 

 lead to examination and, perhaps, to different management of the 

 flock. Skin troubles are recognised by rubbing against fixed 

 objects, and the coming out of the fleece is a sign that the mischief is 

 more or less advanced. Irritation of the skin from scab mites or 

 by being struck with the fly is often shown by frequent shaking 

 of the tail. In the chapters on diseases, the symptoms taken together 

 will be more fully described ; those we have mentioned are such as 

 the flock owner and his man should be always on the look out for, 

 and by early attention prevent further trouble. 



