MODERN SHEEP: BREEDS AND MANAGEMENT. 205 



the same assistance given to advance the head. If the hindquar- 

 ters present themselves first the hand must be applied to get hold 

 of both hind legs together and draw them gently but firmly. The 

 lamb may often be easily removed in this position. It is no un- 

 common occurrence to find the head of the lamb protruding and 

 much swollen, but still, by patience and gentle manipulation, it 

 may often be gradually brought forward; or even nature, not un- 

 duly interfered with, will complete her work if the pelvis is not 

 very much deformed. Should, however, the strength of the mother 

 be rapidly wasting the head may be taken away and then the op- 

 erator, pushing back the lamb, may introduce his hand and, lay- 

 ing hold of the forelegs, effect the delivery. It also happens that 

 the legs are thrust out to the shoulder, and from the throes of the 

 animal it is not possible to replace them so as to get up the head 

 of the lamb ; by partially skinning the legs you may disunite them 

 from the shoulder joint, there will then be room for the introduc-' 

 tion of the hand, and by laying hold of the head you can deliver 

 the ewe. A single season of practice will do more than volumes 

 of writing to prepare the farmer for the preceding and some other 

 cases of difficult labor. But let him bear in mind that, as a gen- 

 eral rule, the foetus should, if possible, be placed in its natural 

 position previously to any attempt to extricate it by force. When 

 force must be used it should be as gently as is consistent with the 

 object of delivery/' 



TROUBLES OF THE LAMBING FOLD. 



Preparation for lambing should be made well in advance of 

 the season. As soon as the lamb is born it is the shepherd's duty 

 to see that it receives nourishment. Many lambs are lost through 

 delay in this matter. Sometimes the lamb struggles away from its 

 dam when the shepherd is absent and loss results. The ewe should 

 not be fed highly directly after lambing. The cooler her blood at 

 that time the better for her and her offspring. Sore teats and sore 

 udders have, in certain instances, been traced to a too nitrogenous 

 diet. Ailing ewes or lambs should be taken from the flock. To 

 make the first flow of milk after lambing easy, where the lamb is 

 weak, lubricate the fingers with oil or even spittle. This will save 

 the ewe much unnecessary pain. Ewes suffering from garget should 

 be given a dose of Epsom salts as soon as the trouble is noticed and 

 their udders should be thoroughly bathed with hot water and after 

 drying should be dressed with a mixture of lard and turpontine. 

 If the newly yeaned lamb appears dull and refuses to suckle, it 

 will generally -be found to be suffering from constipation brought 

 about by excesses in the feeding of the ewe, OK it might be that its 

 teeth are not properly "cut." Where such is the case, the gums 

 should be rubbed through. Where constipation prevails, an injec- 



