374 DISEASES OF THE SHEEP. 



ing prescription has been used with success : — Epsom saUs, 

 six ounces ; nitre, four ounces ; boiling water, three pints : 

 pour the water upon the sahs, and when about blood warm, 

 add four ounces of spirits of turpentine — give from three to 

 four table-spoonfuls at a dose, once or twice per day, accord- 

 ing to the severity of the disease.* 



JOHNSWORT SCAB, OR ITCH. 



That pestiferous weed, called Johnswort, if growing abun- 

 dantly where sheep are pastured, will cause an irritation of the 

 skin, often over the whole body and legs of the sheep ; but 

 generally it is confined to the neighborhood of the mouth. 

 If eaten in too large quantities, it produces violent inflamma- 

 tion of the bowels, and is frequently fatal to lambs, and 

 sometimes to adults. Its efli'ects when inflammation is pro- 

 duced internally are very singular. The writer has wit- 

 nessed the most fantastic capers of sheep in this situation, 

 and once a lamb, while running, described a circle with all 

 the precision of a circus horse : this was continued until it 

 fell from exhaustion. 



Treatment. — Anoint the irritated parts with hog's lard 

 and sulphur. If there are symptoms of inflammation of the 

 stomach, administer tar — putting it into the mouth of the 

 sheep with a flattened stick. Simply hog's lard is used fre- 

 quently with success. Remove the flock to pasture free 

 from the weed, and salt freely. It is said that salt, if given 

 often to sheep, is an effectual guard against the poisonous 

 properties of the weed. 



PELT-ROT. 



This is a disease of the skin, as the name implies. It 

 causes a premature falling oflf of the fleece in the spring of 

 the year. 



It is produced by exposure during the winter, and low 

 condition — the latter principally. 



Preventive. — Good shelters and good keep. Let the wool 

 fluids be kept healthy and abundant, and there will be no 

 danger of any attack from this disease. 



SORE MOUTH. 



This is supposed by some to be caused by sheep eating, 

 in the winter season, noxious weeds, for it is that period of 



* Northern Shepherd. 



