234 DISEASES OF SHEEP. 



tions are often slimy and bloody, and the disease sometimes terminates 

 fatally in a few days. It sometimes follows diarrhcEa, but is gene- 

 rally produced by change of food or pasture and exposure to bad 

 weather. Lambs are rather more liable to the disease than sheep, 

 and it has been found to attack them very frequently on coming from 

 low lands to high. The treatment should consist in giving mild laxa- 

 tives, such as — 



RECIPE (No. 22). 



Take linseed-oil, two ounces ; powdered opium, two grains ; to be mixed with lin- 

 seed-tea. Linseed and oatmeal f{ruel should be given several limes a day, and the 

 second day the medicine No. 21 sliould be administered. 



SECTION XVI. 



INDIGESTION AND DEBILITY. 



Bad management, and that alone, causes the appearance of these 

 complaints in a flock. When sheep have been over-driven, and ex- 

 cessively wearied ; or ewes have had twins, and have afterwards 

 been kept with their lambs on scanty pasture, where there was not 

 enough even for the mother; or have yeaned very early, before there 

 was any flush of grass ; or, during the winter, have not yet been sup- 

 plied with a proper quantity of hay or corn — in all these cases, the 

 sheep are apt to pine away. They do not seem to relish their food, 

 but wander over the field picking a little here and there, the belly 

 being tucked up and the back bowed. 



The remedy for this is simple enough if the sheep have not been 



neglected too long. It is plain that the powers of digestion are 



weakened or suspended, and the object to be accomplished is to rouse 



them once more to their proper tone and action. A mild purgative 



should lay the foundation for this. Half the Purging Drink (No. 2, 



p. 200) should be given, and this followed up by tonics or stomachics. 



Some farmers content themselves with giving a little good caudle for 



two or three successive days, and with general good effect, except 



that its sweetness is objectionable. The following mixture will be 



preferable : — 



RECIPE (No. 23). 



Tonic Drink for Debility.— Take pentian and powdered caraway-seeds, of each an 

 ouncff ; Colombo and jiinj/er, of each half an ounce. Pour a quart of boilinir water 

 111)011 tlwrn, and let the infusion stand tin-ee days, well stirring it every day. Then 

 pour otftlie clear liquid, and bottle it for use. Give a table-spoonful daily, in a little 

 gruel, mixed with an equal quantity of good ale. 



Repeat the half-dose of physic a week afterwards, and put the 

 sheep on fresh and good pasture. 



