MODERN SHEEP: BREEDS AND MANAGEMENT. 323 



ously. Our best flock masters would not think of attempting to 

 raise stud sheep without the help of roots, such as turnips, rut- 

 bagas, mangels, etc. 



COLIC. 



The symptoms of colic and stretches are very similar, but colic 

 is distinguishable from stretches in that where the animal is suf- 

 fering from the former named trouble it lies down and grinds 

 its teeth, whereas in an attack of the latter named complaint it 

 acts as if it desires to make itself longer than it really is. While 

 stretches are caused through want of succulent rations, colic is 

 caused by the reverse condition, viz. : too much succulent feed, 

 such as rape, clover, etc., especially when either has the least de- 

 gree of frost on it. A sheep suffering from colic must be quickly 

 relieved or inflammation will set in and death quickly follow. 

 One drachm of laudanum, mixed with one drachm of powdered gin- 

 ger, will generally relieve the sufferer from an attack of colic in 

 a few minutes. Administer in a little flaxseed tea. 



SCAB. 



Although scab is a terrible scourge, if treated promptly it is 

 not of so serious a nature as footrot, or the attack of the stomach 

 worm. Scab may be called a universal disease, since it is found 

 in almost every country where sheep exist. Happily, this trouble- 

 some and annoying disease is at present well kept under in this 

 country, thanks to effective legislation. With the help of first-class 

 proprietary dips and the right of sheepmen to use such as they 

 wish in the place of lime and sulphur, there is no reason why it 

 should not soon disappear from the United States entirely. Aus- 

 tralia and Argentina both have had a taste of this disease and 

 well know what disaster follows the trail of the little scab mite, 

 although, through the combined determined effort of the govern- 

 ment and the sheepmen, Australia is now a scabless country . 

 Scab generally attacks the side of its victim and from that point 

 quickly spreads all over its body, if not promptly arrested. A 

 scabby sheep presents a most abject appearance, as it rubs, bites 

 and scratches itself unmercifully in its endeavor to free itself 

 from its agonizing enemy. The only hope of curing an attack of 

 scab lies in the dipping tank. The infected sheep must be dipped 

 thoroughly at least three times in some reliable standard dip, and 

 intervals of ten days or a little longer should elapse between the 

 first and second dippings and the same time between the second 

 and third. Every sheep should remain in the dipping tank at 

 least one minute, by the w r atch. To effect a cure all fences, feed 

 racks, troughs, etc., should be thoroughly disinfected with some 

 strong and reliable disinfectant. The same decoction in which the 



