148 



ACCIDENTS AND OPERATIONS. 



to be found in turnips. Besides, one of the most use- 

 ful bitters with which we are acquainted (the Bogbean 

 — Menyanthes Trifoliata) occurs in meadow hay, and 

 is a plant sufficient of itself to save the animal from the 

 consequences of neglect. Whenever you hear of re- 

 markable instances of sheep becoming quickly fat on 

 turnips, you may safely believe they have had liberty 

 to nibble something in addition to the ordinary pro- 

 vender. They have had access to broom or whins, 

 perhaps only to bushes that are laid as a defence on 

 dykes, or only to the scanty pickings on the edges of 

 fields — still they have by such means in a manner 

 satisfied the craving for bitter aliment, and enabled 

 their stomachs to turn to better account the otherwise 

 unprofitable turnips. Broom is at all times an excel- 

 lent medicine for sheep, and one which they are par- 

 tial to, and which ought, therefore, to be placed, if 

 possible, within their reach. 



CHAPTER VI. 



ACCIDENTS AND OPERATIONS. 



(104.) Sheep being about as liable as other animals 

 to a variety of accidents, it is necessary that the shep- 

 herd should possess a competent knowledge of the 

 means which art affords for the remedy of those mis 

 haps. It is from a want of such knowledge that farmers 

 are frequently led to slaughter valuable sheep, though 

 only labouring under the effects of some commonplace 



