DISEASES OF SHEEP. 275 



238. Diseases of lambs are confined to indigestion, and eruption 

 of secreted matter : the former shows itself in colic, which is re- 

 lieved as in sheep, and also by diarrhrea, to be likewise cured by 

 the means detailed for them ; the latter is more obstinate, begins 

 on the rump, gradually extending along the chine, and when it 

 becomes more universal, it usually destroys. The cure consists in 

 giving daily drinks of half a drachm of cream of tartar, and one 

 drachm of sulphur, in four ounces of chamomile decoction. Anoint 

 also with mild mercurial ointment and Turner's cerate in equal 

 quantities. 



239. Poison. Sheep are often poisoned by eating laurel or ivy, 

 as it is commonly called (not the magnolium.) The symptoms of 

 which is their foaming at the mouth, then vomiting the half mas- 

 ticated leaves and green juice, by which the mouth of the animal 

 is discoloured. Remedy Take a gill of sweet oil, hog's lard, or 

 fresh butter ; mix it with a pint of new milk. If taken seasonably 

 it will effect a cure. Or, an egg given to each of the diseased, in 

 the shape of a natural bolus, by simply breaking the egg snd slip- 

 ping the yelk, and as much white as practicable, down the throat 

 of the animal. The sheep, after swallowing the egg, will vomit 

 up the leaves and green juice, but none of the egg. To cows give 

 four times the quantity. 



240. To destroy sheep ticks. Make a weak solution of arsenic, 

 in which the lambs are to be dipped a few days after shearing 

 the sheep, as the ticks having then no harbour on the old sheep, 

 will resort to the lambs for shelter this is the time to destroy 

 them. Not the smallest injury will occur to the sheep, provided 

 you take care to keep the head out of the water. Three persons 

 are necessary two to hold and dip the lamb, the third to squeeze 

 the wool while the lamb is held over the tub. Or An ointment 

 made of Scotch snuff and hog's lard, or train oil, will kill or destroy 

 them by one application. One ounce of snuff to a pouud of lard 

 or oil, is about the proportion. 



241. The castrating lambs, may be performed any time from the 

 age of a fortnight or three weeks, to that of a month or six weeks, 

 the lambs should be in a healthy state when it is done, as under 

 any other circumstance they are likely to be destroyed by it. The 

 operation is performed by opening the scrotum or cod and draw- 

 i-ng out the testicles with the spermatic cord. This is often dono 

 with the teeth in the young state of the animal, but when the ope- 

 ration is performed at a later period, it is usual to have recourse 



