DISEASES OP THE OX AND SHEEP. 505 



due to the animals feeding upon unwholesome herbage or acrid 

 or diseased vegetables, such as decayed turnips. The bowels 

 act irregularly, the coat " stares," and, while chewing the cud, 

 the animal repeatedly drops portions here and there. In the 

 space of about two hours a large pailful of thick green fluid 

 may be thus discarded. The animal loses flesh, the secretion 

 of milk is damaged and then stopped, the appetite is impaired 

 and capricious, and finally altogether lost. Unless strict reme- 

 dial measures are taken, anaemia and dysentery come on. la 

 the case of sheep, the wool may be shed, and if the flock as a 

 whole is affected, the droppings may be found all over the field. 



Fiu. 66. — Dropping the Cud. Simple Indigestion or Dyspepsia. 

 In the above illustration our artist has depicted the typical appearance 

 presented by an ox suffering from dyspepsia. The animal is ' ' dropping the 

 cud," and is seen to exhibit the look of a creature suffering from dyspepsia, 

 lying on the ground, depressed and downcast, and altogether affording a marked 

 contrast to the lively and sprightly look of oxen in vigorous health. 



The leaves of raangold-wurzel, rushes, and the common wood- 

 sorrel iOxalis acetoza) are said to bring on this disorder. 



Each ox should receive a draught containing Epsom salts 

 (14 oz.), gentian (If oz.), bicarbonate of potassium (1 oz.), the 

 ingredients being mixed together, and given in a pint of warm 

 linseed gruel. For about six days, six drachms of bicarbonate 

 of potassium should be mixed morning and evening with the 

 food of each animal, or, if preferred, the powdered salt may be 

 mixed with 1^ oz. of gentian, and given as a draught in gruel 

 or linseed tea. The cattle should, if possible, be taken to a 

 high, dry, and large pasture. At any rate, the food should be 

 entirely changed. Sound roots, good hay, with oil-cake, corn, 

 or bran, may be allowed. It is often well to supply little or no 



