DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. 217 



search, but on others, white specks will be so numerous as to attract 

 the man with any powers whatever of observation. 



Treatment. All animals intended to be physicked for worms 

 should first be fasted. The period will depend somewhat upon the 

 kind of food already taken. From midday until the next morning 

 is not too long to shut up the verminous flock before giving the dose. 

 Tablets consisting of arsenic, iron and sulphur, and tobacco, are 

 found fairly effective in getting rid of tapeworm, especially in lambs, 

 when the parasites have not been long in possession, and their 

 suckers have not been embedded in the membrane and held fast 

 by adhesions (the reason why human and dog tapeworms of long 

 standing cannot be ejected). Turpentine in Jinseed oil is another 

 remedy, used with more or less success. Experiments made by 

 the Transvaal Government veterinary officers go to prove that 

 much larger doses of arsenic are tolerated by sheep than is gener- 

 ally supposed. Similar experiments are much needed in this country 

 as a more effectual vermifuge would be found in the greater dose 

 administered at one time. From one grain for a lamb to two grains 

 for a sheep is about the usual quantity deemed safe in England, 

 and lambs can be treated at eight weeks old and upwards. 



THE ROT, FLTJKE, FASCIOLIASIS. 



The disease known by the above terms, and some others in 

 different districts, is caused by a sole-shaped worm which finds 

 its ultimate home or destination in the channels or so-called ducts 

 of the liver. It passes through several stages, during one of which 

 it lives in the body of a water snail, but the mature parasite, as 

 above stated, is destined for the sheep's liver, where it causes 

 trouble in proportion to its numbers. 



Symptoms. It is generally said that during the first few weeks 

 of the invasion of the liver, the host does well. The stimulation of 

 the liver and increased flow of bile aids digestion and the animal 

 thrives. Then follow febrile symptoms, a general loss of condition 

 and ill -doing, with a disposition to chogging or dropsy under the 

 jaw, wasting of the loin muscles, and dropsy of the belly, wool 

 coming out, short-windedness, general weakness, and pallor of the 

 membranes. When the razor-backed stage is reached it is very 

 little use to keep the animal over to another season, but if so kept, 

 there is improvement. It does not, however, pay to keep rotten 

 sheep. 



Treatment. Early recognition of the disease will save great loss. 

 If on the first suspicion the worst animal is destroyed, and its 

 liver found to be extensively invaded by flukes, it may be assumed 

 that others are similarly infested, and the flockmaster will seize 

 the chance of butchering during that early period when we have 

 said the sheep thrive. This hardly applies to the ewe flock, and 



