868 DISEASES OF THE SHEEP. 



and painful cough. The disease soon assumes a more ag- 

 gravated form, but further description will be useless : it is 

 sufficient ibr the farmer to know the first stages of the mala- 

 dy, and then pursue that course of treatment which experi- 

 ence determines as best. 



Treatment. — Bleed and purge freely, and secure the sheep 

 in some comfortable place, free from all exposure to the vi- 

 cissitudes of the weather. Let no irritating food be given. 

 Mashes of wheat bran will be found excellent, with a little 

 salt occasionally. 



DROPSY. 



This disease is induced by long exposure to cold and wet 

 weather. Tapping is condemned by Blacklock, unless per- 

 formed by a skilful veterinary. The best plan is to bleed 

 freely, and give two or three doses of Epsom salts. It is 

 better, however, in general, to kill the sheep at once, as 

 rarely a permanent cure can be effected. 



DISEASES OF PARTURITION. 



ABORTION. 



This disease is not so common as in cows, but sometimes 

 occurs very extensively in flocks of sheep. Ewes are liable 

 to it through every stage of pregnancy ; but generally it oc- 

 curs when they are about half-gone. The causes are vari- 

 ious : — sudden fright, jumping over ditches and whatnot, 

 worried by dogs, and the too free use of salt ; but the prom- 

 inent cause is the unlimited use of turnips and succulent 

 food. 



The symptoms, according to Spooner, first manifested, are 

 dulness and refusal to feed ; the ewe will be seen moping 

 at a corner of the fold, and will be heard to bleat more than 

 usual. To these succeed restlessness, and often trembling, 

 with slight labor pains ; and in the course of twelve hours 

 abortion will have taken place. Sometimes the parts will 

 be so relaxed, that the uterus or vagina will become invert- 

 ed, and the expulsion of the placenta will precede that of the 

 foetus. 



Mr. Spooner recommends placing the ewe in a dry situa- 



