234 



THE COMPLETE FARMER 



over the skin as equallj?- as possible, instead of wetting or 

 smearing the outside surface of the fleece, where it will be of 

 more harm than benefit. 



On the Disorders of Sheep. The folloM'ing observations 

 are extracted from an Essay on Sheep, written by H. D. 

 Grove, a scientific shepherd, who has been acquainted with 

 sheep husbandry, as practised by the wool growers of Saxony, 

 France, and other parts of Europe. 



Almost all the disorders which attack sheep are caused by 

 the want, and seldom or never by the excess of activity in 

 the vital organs. The nerves are very susceptible, but sel- 

 dom act with great force, and whenever they are powerfully 

 excited, this excitement soon passes off and leaves the animal 

 extremely weak. It follows from this that most of the means 

 required for the cure of diseases among sheep should be cal- 

 culated rather to excite than to allay the activity of the 

 functions of life. A few of the most common diseases J>.nong 

 sheep deserve to be particularly noticed. 



The Rot exhibits itself scarcely at all externally. The 

 blood loses its high color and tendency to coagulate, and be- 

 comes watery. The first perceptible symptom therefore is 

 the loss of the bright red appearance about the eyes ; the 

 lips and inside of the mouth also become pale, as well as the 

 skin generally under the wool. The animal continues to feed 

 well and does not grow poor, although the natural vivacity 

 is diminished and some signs of weakness occur. 



The disease commonly gains strength in the winter. 

 Watery sw^ellings are formed, particularly under the chin, 

 which are often absorbed and then reappear. Soon after 

 these the animal generally dies, without showing any symp- 

 toms of violent pain. Ewes attacked by this disease die 

 most commonly about the time of dropping their lambs. 

 The body on opening exhibits copious collections of water 

 about the chest and entrails ; the blood is extremely pale as 

 well as the flesh. This disorder is unquestionably caused 

 by feeding in swampy grounds, and a few hours are suffi- 

 cient to fix it upon a sheep. It is increased by damp, foggy 

 weather, while, on the other hand, dry warm weather and 

 high pasture, especially where there are many aromatic 

 herbs, are sometimes sufficient to counteract the first symp- 

 toms and eflfect a cure. This disorder, however, when it 

 has reached such a point that a common observer may no- 

 tice the symptoms, is probably incurable. At a very early 

 stage a cure is possible if the flock is kept carefully on high 



