238 THE COMPLETE FARMER 



comes excessively distended, the lungs oppressed, the breath 

 and pulse obstructed, and the death is very sudden. 



This effect may be produced by fodder of any kind, but 

 most readily by such as ihe sheep prefer, especially if they 

 are not accustomed to it. Green clover and lucerne have, 

 therefore, often been observed to bring on this disorder ; but 

 it is nevertheless certain that neither of these substances are 

 in themselves injurious, since I have known sheep accus- 

 tomed to them eat their fill day after day for months together 

 without suffering any ill consequence. Any young green 

 feed is more likely to be hurtful in this way than dry fodder, 

 but only when eaten in excess after long abstinence. If the 

 approach of the swelling is observed by the shepherd in sea- 

 son, it may be prevented by violent friction of the back and 

 belly and driving the sheep rapidly. These remedies are 

 assisted by a previous dose of lime-water, which should 

 be repeated half an hour afterwards, taking care that the 

 lime is good and not previously air-slacked. 



If the attack is so violent as to leave no time for these 

 remedies, an opening must be made in the paunch with the 

 trocar and sheath ; an operation which cannot easily be de- 

 scribed, but may be exhibited without any difficulty to any 

 person unacquainted with it. 



I omit to notice a great variety of other diseases of sheep, 

 which I have had no opportunity of attending to personally, 

 and also the whole series of external injuries to which sheep 

 are liable, and in the treatment of which each man's experi- 

 ence is his best guide. 



A writer for the New York Farmer observes, * I am told 

 on credible authority, that a gentleman who was losing his 

 sheep without apparent cause had occasion to use some clay 

 about his house in the winter, and observed that his sickly 

 flock ate it with avidity ; he caused a load to be placed in 

 their yard, much of which was devoured and his sheep speedi- 

 ly recovered. 



As a cure, therefore, I would recommend clay to be placed 

 in the sheep-yard, which can, at worst, do no harm, as the 

 animals will not eat it unless prompted by instinct ; or, when 

 it is practicable, the boughs or branches of resinous trees, as 

 the pine and hemlock, may be given to the flock in limited 

 quantities. Roots of any edible kind will also be highly 

 serviceable. As a preventive in future, I advise sheep-far- 

 mers to raise and lay in a good stock of ruta baga or other 



