174 



DISEASES OF SHEEP. 



food, the leaves of the oak, from their astringent qua- 

 lity, cobwebs sprinkled with dew, have all been reckon- 

 ed as causes. I am inclined, however, to suppose, that 

 it arises from the action of a poisonous grass {Lolium 

 temulenturn), which is the only one of that description 

 in this country, and grows only in those situations 

 where staggers prevail. What effect these causes have 

 on the brain to produce this disease, I cannot explain. 

 When it continues for any time on the same individual, 

 it is apt to be fatal.'* 



" Change of pasture is the only effectual cure for it." 



(133.) Diarrhcea. By this is meant a constant 

 purging, affecting the younger portions of the flock be- 

 tween April and June, leading to great emaciation, and 

 proceeding from one of the following causes. 



1st. Eating a soft tathj'- pasture, particularly if fouled 

 by the inundations of the previous winter. 



2d. Feeding on too rich a pasture, or a sudden 

 change from an herbage deficient in nutritrve 

 qualities, to one that is much superior. 



3d. Transitions from heat to cold. 



4th. Weakness and relaxation of the bowels. 



(134.) Treatment of Diarrhcea. When either of 

 the first two causes has given rise to purging, a mode- 

 rate allowance of good hay will gradually stop it. This 

 may be discontinued when the sheep has taken with its 

 altered fare. 



When diarrhcea has been occasioned by exposure to 

 damp, or sudden transitions from heat to cold, it may 

 be arrested by keeping the animal in a house for a few 

 days, and feeding it on any dry aliment, but when 

 crude trashy matter has been swallowed, and keeps up 



