680 THE DISEASES AND DISORDERS OP THE OX. 



in-Iamb ewes to secluded quarters, quite free from all possi- 

 bility of close contiguity. 



Once more, all over-exertion, as for example long journeys or 

 rapid travelling, ought to be very stringently avoided in the 

 case of in-lamb ewes. Indeed, for this reason it is better to 

 purchase in-lamb ewes at home than at the market, for in this 

 latter case it is very probable that some degree of over-exertion 

 or abuse may have been undergone. The casting of ewes with 

 the view of examining their condition ought to be put a stop to. 

 Again, in driving ewes near their time of delivery, if the slightest 

 signs of weakness are shown, they should be rested for as long 

 a time as may be suitable or practicable. 



Yet another factor in the causation of abortion is exposure. 

 If a flock is pastured in a very exposed situation in winter time, 

 when severe frosts, snowstorms, and tempestuous winds or rains 

 are prevalent, miscarriages may be expected to occur. More- 

 over, in-lamb ewes ought not to be folded on roots; in the first 

 place, because of the exposure thereby necessitated ; secondly, 

 because an abundance of roots is not suitable just before lambing ; 

 and last, but not least, because, when thus confined within a 

 narrow space, sheep cannot take a sufficient amount of exercise. 

 We need scarcely point out — for the advisability of such a course 

 is very well known — how important it is that ewes which have 

 aborted should at once be isolated apart from the rest of the 

 flock, with the view of preventing all risk of infection. Further, 

 it will be advisable to be very careful with in-lamb ewes at about 

 the middle of the period of gestation, this being the time at 

 which there is the greatest danger. 



For some of the above hints on the subject of abortion we 

 are indebted to Mr. John Walker's little book on The Sheep 

 and Lamb. 



After-pains in ewes may frequently be of a severe kind, and 

 also attended with a fatal issue. This disorder is for the most 

 part apparently due to the fact that the ewes afflicted with it 

 have been fed too highly. To over-feed ewes at this critical 

 period, is indeed a fatal error. No doubt in large measure the 

 pain may be due to inflammation coming on in consequence of 

 injuries received during delivery, or to the debilitated state of 

 the body. A farmer, who had been allowing his flock an 

 unlimited quantity of turnips on his best grass-land, having lost 



