CHAP. II. AILMENTS OF SHEEP. 615 



winter. In such' cases, the sheep will lag behind, or separate him- 

 self from the flock, or stand with his head protruding, or begin to 

 breathe with difficulty. Before the affection has proceeded far the 

 animal will evince considerable uneasiness. There will be severe 

 constipation ; then the evil will suddenly change its character, and 

 frequently violent purging will succeed. 



Over-fed sheep are liable to be afflicted with a form of paralysis, 

 which proves fatal if it is not attended to at once. The sheep does 

 not come up to the trough with the rest, and lies apparently in little 

 pain, but in a listless manner. The real cause is excess of nitrogen in 

 the blood, which affects the brain, and this must be relieved ; the 

 common practice on the farm is to bleed the sheep, and if the sheep is 

 not very bad this will generally put it right. If it has gone unnoticed 

 too long, the sheep's throat must be cut to save the carcass. When 

 several sheep are affected in this manner, it is a proof that the corn is 

 too nitrogenous in its composition, and it should be changed to some- 

 thing of a more starchy nature. In practice the farmer takes off the 

 corn altogether, which is correct; but it would be better to arrange 

 the diet in the first instance so that it is not too nitrogenous, and in 

 this way avoid the attack altogether. 



The sheep are often unable to defend themselves against the attacks 

 of flies during hot seasons, and in severe weather. Docking is now 

 generally adopted as a means of preserving the health of the animals, 

 keeping them free from ordure which they deposit on the fleece, and 

 giving the animal a square handsome appearance in the hind quarters. 

 We do not recommend it for breeding ewes in very exposed climates, as, 

 while suckling, the tail affords considerable warmth and protection to 

 the udder, but in any save the coldest districts the ewes are better 

 docked. 



Throughout the whole system of sheep husbandry the greatest 

 attention is necessary on the part of the shepherd ; he must regularly 

 and frequently inspect the animals committed to his charge, and act 

 promptly in all cases requiring his aid. From the nature of the hill 

 shepherd's employment, which is usually exercised at a distance from 

 his master's eye, he is under little control. As the property in his 

 care is generally valuable, and always requires the closest attention, 

 great circumspection should be exercised in choosing an experienced 

 and trustworthy person for the office ; and, when such an one is found, 

 his services should not be grudgingly remunerated. This holds good 

 to some extent with respect to the shepherd on enclosed farms. As a 

 matter of business, however, the farmer should manage the flock, 

 leaving the shepherd to carry out the details. In Saxony the shep- 

 herds have no fixed wages, but are allowed a profit on the produce o. 

 the flock. From the adoption of this arrangement the flock-masters 

 derive great advantage, for the shepherds have no inducement to 

 deceive them, but are themselves interested in taking due care of the 

 animals committed to their charge. This practice has also been 

 adopted, and with success, by some flock-masters in Scotland. It is 

 certainly worthy of consideration, if not of trial. 



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