CHAPTER XL. 



DISEASES. 



There is considerable, if not great, trouble in doctor- 

 ing sheep, much of which may be avoided, in a country 

 so emiently adapted for sheep farming under healthy 

 conditions as New Zealand, by a little forethought and 

 attention. When anything is wrong with sheep it 

 generally affects many of the flock, and for this reason 

 it is always advisable to take pains to avoid conditions 

 that may give rise to any complaints, which eat into 

 profits by thriftlessness of flock, losses, and labour of 

 doctoring. Shortly, prevention is better than cure, and 

 the best object in studying diseases should be to know 

 sufficient of the. causes of them to enable precautions to 

 be taken to prevent their appearance. Reasonable atten- 

 tion to two things, suitable surroundings and wholesome 

 food not fouled, overstocked pastures prevents many 

 ailments. The sheep is hardy so long as the breed is 

 located in its true environment, and its condition main- 

 tained by proper food supply. With a knowledge of the 

 general requirements of a flock throughout the year, and 

 this is necessary to attain success and profit, much can 

 be done to avoid the encroachment of disease. Thorough 

 dipping frees the animal from outward troubles, 

 and sufficient food, and pasturing the sheep 

 where and how they should be pastured, from inward 

 ones. Some breeds can stand more dampness of conditions, 

 with its fluke, footrot, or stomach worms, than others, 

 but it is not to be expected that any sheep, which was a 

 hill or mountain living animal, and accustomed to well- 

 drained soils, for maybe hundreds of thousands of years, 

 can stand much of it. 



