510 History of the Author's 



poisonous quality of this liquid ; and how necessary it is to keep llic vessel locked 

 up, and after the operations are performed, to clean it well, or rather, never to use 

 't for any other purpose ; and to throw the liquid which remains, where not the 

 smallest quantity of it can be drank by any creature whose life we value. 



In hot and damp weather, in low situations, and near hedges and woods, the 

 fly is extremely noxious to sheep. It deposits its eggs on the wool near any 

 wound or scratch made by thorns, thistles, briars, or any other cause ; or even 

 by its own bite. No parts are more subject to this annoyance than the head 

 and neck of the ram, where the flexure of the horn prevents him from rubbing or 

 touching himself. The eggs soon become maggots, which, quickly crawling to 

 the wounded part, eat and destroy all around them, and, in a very short time, kill 

 the animal. All accidental wounds should, therefore, be carefully watched, and 

 immediately rubbed with an ointment of equal parts of tar and mutton suet melted 

 together. The fly dislikes the tar, the part is defended, and the ointment is readily 

 washed out with water. On the latter account, it may be prudent to repeat the 

 application if necessary, especially in rainy weather. The same remedy may be 

 applied to any part where maggots have actually been formed, the maggots having 

 been previously killed by sprinkling on them the root of white hellebore, finely 

 powdered. I have no knowledge of the effect of powdered charcoal recommended 

 by the Spaniards. Any cheap and effectual method of guarding against the ravages 

 of the fly, without injury to the sheep, or wool, would be a most valuable ac- 

 quisition to farmers. 



Two of my lambs died last year of a disease unknown to my shepherd, in which 

 their heads, necks, and limbs continued rigid and immoveable, during the three or 

 four days which it lasted. It was similar to the Tetanus, or locked jaw in the 

 human race ; and was, most probably, owing to their ears having been bored, for 

 the purpose of marking, with a red-hot iron, too close to their heads. I had them 

 bled, and cold water poured over them, without effect. 



This is all which I know as to the prevention and cure of the diseases chiefly 

 prevalent among the Merino-Ryeland breed of sheep. 



