Lambing in the Ewe. 363 



through the lips of the vagina. If this fails to effect a cure, 

 and the falling of the womb becomes habitual, it should be 

 strongly corded close to the vagina and allowed to slough 

 off. 



3Illk Fever in Ewes, 



Puerperal fever or milk fever is not common among ewes, 

 at least in the United States. It more generally affects mid- 

 dle-aged ewes and those carrying twins ; those which are 

 highly fed and plethoric are special subjects for its attacks. 



The early symptoms are, loss of appetite ; twitching of the 

 hind legs and ears ; dullness and weakness ; staggering ; and 

 the discharge of a dark-colored and offensively smelling fluid 

 from the vagina. The time of attack is generally a few days 

 before the expected yeanmg time, and the fetus is nearly 

 always discharged dead, and often putrid. 



The treatment recommended by an experienced New York 

 sheep raiser is as follows : — 



Separate the sick ewe at once from the flock, and give her 



Ko. 407. Sulphate of magnesia, 2 to 3 oz. 



Nitrate of potash, 1 drachm. 



Molasses, 3 oz. 

 Give in a pint of warm linseed gruel. 



Should this not open the bowels in eight or ten hours, it 

 should be repeated. After that the nitre and molasses are 

 continued, without the salts, as long as there is fever. If the 

 period of yeaning is at hand, as is generally the case, a little 

 extract of belladonna is to be put on the end of the finger, 

 and placed on the mouth of the womb. This, repeated 

 hom4y, will soon cause relaxation and discharge of the con- 

 tents. The womb should then be thoroughly syringed out 

 with warm water and milk, dilute lime water, or a warm, 

 weak solution of chloride of lime or carbolic acid (1 or 2 per 

 cent.). The ewe^s position is made as comfortable as possi- 



