102 



Dr. E. L. Moore, Veterinarian of this Station, as to the 

 cause : 



"I have carefully examined several of the western 

 ewes that have been dying and I find a 'condition similar 

 to that found among many of the sheep of this locality at 

 this time of the year. That is, in all of these cases it will 

 be found that the liver is soft, yellow or clay-colored and 

 soft and friable ; in addition there is a catarrhal condition 

 of the intestines, the feces being hard and coated with 

 mucus. From an observation extending over several 

 years I have no hesitancy in attributing this to lack of 

 exercise and the long period of dry feeding during the 

 winter. As soon as these sheep are able to be turned out 

 and get to grass the death rate stops, but when kept under 

 the conditions under Ayhich it has been necessary to keep 

 this band of western ewes a very large death rate is to be 

 expected and there seems to be little chance of stopping it. 

 In explanation of this trouble at this time, and of its 

 absence, heretofore, it is only necessary to remind you 

 that it has been necessary to keep this band under closer 

 confinement that usual and that the supply of roots for 

 feeding has been more limited." 



