DISEASES OF THE OX AND SHEEP. 681 



eight of his finest ewes which had lambed and were lying dead 

 in his folding yard, sought advice from Mr. Friend, who put a 

 stop to the further ravages of the disease by having the rest of 

 the flock removed to a bare pasture and administering oil and 

 other medicines. 



In many sheep-farming districts, especially in the South of 

 England, great losses result from these so-called heaving 

 pains. The chief symptom is straining of a violent kind. 

 This complaint generally comes on in very plethoric ewes, 

 just as parturient apoplexy does in plethoric cows, occurring 

 especially in animals which are allowed rich artificial foods near 

 the time of lambing, and frequently when the ewes have been 

 kept pretty much on turnips. Again, it appears that salt, 

 although it is good for animals in a low condition, is rather 

 daugerous for very healthy or plethoric cattle or sheep. Sheep, 

 when kept on turnips, do not take sufficient exercise, and a 

 want of exercise, coupled with too much food, are causes very 

 favourable to the development of parturient fever. It is 

 frequently the case that ewes suffering from heaving pains are 

 remarkable for having brought forth a great number of fine 

 iambs, twins being numerous, and there being consequently a 

 great supply of milk to the udder. On the Continent, sheep, 

 which have not the same tendency to thrive rapidly and are not 

 forced, are very seldom indeed afflicted with this disease. 



It is usually at about the second or third day after yeaning 

 that the affected ewes appear full and restless, have a staring 

 look, pant, and strain. They discharge but little urine or feces. 

 Moreover, the urine is very highly coloured and readily becomes 

 ammoniacal. Febrile symptoms and violent heaving come on, 

 and the animal soon becomes exhausted and dies. After death 

 the uterus may be seen to be inflamed, ecchymosed, and possibly 

 even gangrenous. The best natural preventives are exercise and 

 low diet, and by way of medicine aperients and neutral salts may 

 be tried. Clysters also may be given, and opiates injected 

 into the womb, and an antiphlogistic course of treatment may 

 be carried out. 



The next disease we have to consider is that known under the 

 name of Garget. When the lambs are sucking, ewes may dis- 

 play symptoms of pain and restlessness, and so great may be 

 the distress occasioned, that they may perhaps not even allow 



