SHEEP 265 



.ence may be owing to the priin ^ry cause being general. 

 Some remark that this disease is not infectious, as it 

 often happens that only a few sheep are attacked in a 

 large flock. 



Symptoms. This disorder does not at first exhibit 

 itself externally. The blood loses its high color and 

 tendency to coagulate, and becomes watery. The first 

 symptoms, therefore, are a bright-red appearance about 

 the eyes ; the lips and the inside of the mouth become 

 pale, as well as the skin generally under the wool ; the 

 animal has a faint aspect, is feeble, and the skin is foul ; 

 he is dull and listless in motion, and heavy, as though 

 his legs could not carry him. But he continues to feed, 

 and does not grow poor, though the natural vivacity is 

 diminished, and signs of weakness appear. The disease 

 commonly gains strength in winter. Watery swellings 

 are formed under the chin, which are often absorbed 

 and then reappear. Soon after these the animal gener 

 ally dies, without symptoms of pain. 



Remedy. A change of the sheep to a high, airy situa 

 tion, especially where there are many aromatic herbs, is 

 sometimes sufficient to effect a cure, if taken in season, 

 and the weather be dry and warm. But when this dis- 

 order has reached such a point that the symptoms are 

 evident to a common observer, it is generally incurable. 

 Horse chestnuts are an excellent fodder in this case ; also 

 a mixture of juniper berries, sage, wormwood, gentian, 

 angelica root, willow bark, and other bitter substances, 

 with a little salt and grain, which things they will gener- 

 ally eat of their own accord, if given them in the morn- 

 ing, in small quantities, without other food. Tar is an 

 excellent preventive ; of course it will aid as a restora- 

 tive. Wood ashes added to the salt is excellent. Thia 

 is used as a preventive. 



FEVER. 



Dissolve half an ounce of saltpetre in water and vine- 

 gar, and give it to the sheep lukewarm. Give also gen- 

 Je physic. A tea of raspberry leaves, in addition to the 

 othei remedies, wi 1 be useful. So will other sedative 

 teas [See Fever in '' Cattle."] 

 23 



