254 THE LAMBING PERIOD 



allowed to drink, she should not be permitted to take a large " fill " 

 of water. She should not be given very cold water, and if the 

 shepherd has the time one of the best ways to treat her with respect 

 to drink is to give her about a quart of almost tepid water at intervals 

 of about two hours until her thirst is satisfied. 



Caring for the Ewe That Has Had Difficulty in Lambing. 

 The ewe that has considerable difficulty in lambing is likely to be- 

 come very weak and in need of a stimulant. Two tablespoonfuls 

 of whiskey or gin in a little water are the stimulants most often 

 given by professional shepherds. If the ewe fails to regain her 

 strength the dose 'should be repeated after about an hour. 



A ewe that has assistance in lambing is likely to be more or less 

 lacerated inwardly, and hence in need of something soothing and 

 healing for the torn places. A good remedy is a wash composed of 

 one-half ounce zinc sulfate and two ounces of tincture of opium 

 in a quart of water. If the ewe is lacerated or if she fails to cast the 

 afterbirth soon after the lamb is born she should be " flushed " once 

 or twice daily with the zinc sulfate and opium wash or with a care- 

 fully prepared one per cent solution of carbolic acid or other suitable 

 disinfectant. A disinfectant rather than the zinc sulfate-opium wash 

 is advisable if there is an offensive odor. The flushing, which 

 can be done either with a large syringe or with rubber tubing, 

 should be continued until all odors and unnatural discharges have 

 ceased. In case the tubing is used the part inserted should be 

 coated with vaseline. The other end, in which a small funnel is in- 

 serted, should be held well up above the ewe while the solution is 

 being poured into the funnel. Injected washes should be lukewarm. 



Occasionally a ewe suffers from eversion of womb after lambing. 

 As a rule this is caused by great difficulty in lambing. For treat- 

 ment " Shepherd Boy " in " Modern Sheep : Breeds and Manage- 

 ment " gives the following directions : 



" The operator should have an assistant who lays the ewe on her 

 back and, grasping her hind legs gently, lifts her hind quarters about 

 a foot from the ground. By this method the organs can be readily 

 replaced. The operator should next take a pint of lukewarm water 

 and put into it two teaspoonfuls of sugar and one of pulverized alum 

 and inject the same into the womb twice a day. In stubborn cases 

 a leather band may be placed so as to prevent the womb from coming 

 out." Two stitches across the vulva are effective. 



