DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. 213 



variable situation and the order in which it attacks the various 

 structures have made it known in some districts as " mouth and 

 foot," " hair and hoof," and was at one time described as " car- 

 buncle of the coronary band." We know now that the bacillus 

 necrosis is the cause, and that the suffering mouth applied to the 

 leg or pastern will convey to those parts : or the irritation of the 

 pastern, causing the sheep to lick or rub with his muzzle, will 

 be the means of infecting the mouth. The flockmaster generally 

 fails to recognise it at first, but becomes aware of something worse 

 than ordinary aptha or the stomatitis before mentioned, because 

 the swelling and grey incrustation is followed by loss of substance. 

 An ulcer is a loss of substance in a more or less circumscribed 

 area, but this necrosis is a general destruction that keeps spreading. 

 It sometimes attacks the membrane of the cheek and destroys a 

 portion, so that food accumulates and brings about a bulge 

 which attracts notice. 



Treatment. The destruction of the causal organisms is essential 

 to success. This needs care. The application of a piece of lint 

 dipped in a 10 per cent, solution of chloride of zinc has given 

 good results in skilled hands. It should only be used once, after 

 which an ointment for external lesions may be used, such as 

 carbolic acid five parts, flowers of sulphur ten parts, goose grease 

 or vaseline 100 parts. Mouth damages should be treated with one 

 part alum, three parts glycerine ; iron, salt and gentian are the 

 tonics suited for building up debilitated animals. 



CHOKING. 



When sheep are choked the attendant should not be too hasty in 

 passing a probang if a suitable one is to hand, but try two or three 

 times with a little linseed oil. A piece of new manila rope that has 

 not been wet makes a suitable instrument for passing down the 

 gullet if the obstruction cannot otherwise be moved. A green 

 willow stick, with a bag of linseed firmly tied to it and dipped in 

 hot water makes a useful temporary tool for this job. 



Loss OF CUD, 



This is a symptom rather than a disease in itself. No other sign 

 of disease may be discovered in some cases, and it is assumed 

 then that acidity of the stomach is the cause. An aperient dose 

 with table salt and sulphate of magnesia, equal parts, appears to 

 have the desired effect. Sheep do not tolerate such large doses of 

 salt in proportion to body weight as do cattle, and one-third of 

 salt will be a safer quantity in the less robust. 



HOVEN OB TYMPANY. 



Sheep get blasted by the same means as cattle, and relief must 

 be quickly given. The flank may be punctured midway between the 



