386 REARING AND FEEDING OF ANIMALS. 



feeding on very dry pastures. Before the extensive draining of the pasture- 

 laud.-j^vhere it is 'now found, the disease was unknown. The rot was tlen 

 common; but with the draining of the lands the rot disappeared, and this new 

 disease took its place. The former practice of management in the districts 

 where the disease now prevails, was to keep the sheep in flocks, which were 

 moved about along their allotted range of pastures. They are now, under a 

 more approved system of management, suffered to spread over a large extent 

 of pasture; and thus they are not obliged to take exercise, but are allowed to 

 feed more on a given spot of ground. 



A. change of place and food is the preventive or the remedy; and if a change 

 of food is resorted to in time, it is generally sufficient lo arrest the progress of 

 the disease. Even a removal to a fresh heath will sometimes accomplish the 

 purpose, but the proper and effectual remedy in all cases is a change to a more 

 rich and succulent pasture. The disease is sometimes very fatal, destroying 

 entire flocks like a pestilence. 



Sheep are subject to a long and frightful train of inflammatory diseases. In 

 all such cases, however they may affect the animals, bleeding should be at once 

 resorted to, as the only mean of subduing the disease, and giving a chance of 

 safety. The eye-vein is that usually opened in bleeding the sheep; but all 

 shepherds should be taught to bleed from the jugular vein, as being the most 

 suitable. The quantity of blood abstracted must vary with the age and strength 

 of the animals. The rule, in the case of the sheep as in that of the ox, is to 

 bleed freely. The process may be continued until the pulse itself is affected, 

 when it must be instantly stopped. Purgative medicines, too, ought to be given 

 to the sheep, in the case of this class of diseases, and of these the most approved 

 are, Epsom salt in the proportion of from 4 to 6 oz., and about half that quan- 

 tity, or a little more, 01 Glauber's salt. Common salt is often applied in coun- 

 try practice with the effect desired. On the part of shepherds, it is to be 

 observed, there exists a prejudice against the administration of medicines to 

 sheep, doubtless from their having observed the little effect usually produced. 

 But this prejudice should not be permitted to operate where the lives of sheep 

 are in imminent hazard, as is the case in all inflammatory diseases. It is be- 

 yond a doubt that by prompt bleeding, and the judicious application of purga- 

 tives, the lives of many thousands of these valuable creatures may be yearly 

 saved to this country. 



Amongst inflammatory putrid fevers to which sheep are subject, one, termed 

 braxy, is very destructive in various parts of the country. The progress of 

 this disease is very sudden and violent. Of the remedies to be employed, 

 bleeding and purging are plainly those which the nature of the disease points 

 out. This disease seems generally to be caused by bad food, and the most 

 efficient preventive is known to be good feeding. Turnips or other succulent 

 roots given to young sheep feeding on natural pastures are always beneficial; 

 and it is to be observed, that in proportion as the treatment of sheep in a coun- 

 try has improved, this dangerous malady has diminished. 



Diarrhoea and dysentery are diseases of sheep. Diarrhoea is frequently pro- 

 duced by too sudden a growth of grass in spring, and it most frequently affects 

 young sheep. It may be generally cured by removing the animals to drier pas- 

 ture; and a little grain may be always given with good effects. 



Dysentery is a more serious disease, and is often very destructive. In this 

 disease, bleeding is plainly required to subdue the inflammation, and purging 

 to carry off the peccant matter in the intestines. Hay may be offered and a 

 few sheaves of grain laid down, and the use of mashes will in an especial 

 manner be found beneficial. 



Sheep are liable to various cutaneous diseases diseases of the skin. The 

 principal of these is termed scab; and it is indicated by extreme itching and 

 eruptions of the skin. When introduced into a flock it may be attended with 

 very serious effects, unless checked by efficient remedies. 



The most common remedy for the disease is sulphur mixed with some unc- 

 tuous substance to fix it on the skin. One of the best receipts perhaps is a de- 

 coction of tobacco and spirit of turpentine, with the addition of a little soft soap 

 and sulphur vivum. The decoction of tobacco may be obtained by boiling the 

 tobacco in brine or salt water. The liquid when prepared is applied from a 



