DISEASES OF SHEEP. 309 



by taking it from the mother by what is known as the Cesarian 

 operation. This consists of the opening of the ewe and taking 

 the lamb from her. This is a serious operation, but it has been 

 performed safely, and both ewe and lamb saved. Or if the ewe 

 must be sacrificed, and is in a hopeless condition of exhaustion, 

 she may be treated with chloroform so as to make her insensible, 

 and the lamb then extracted and reared by hand, or put on an- 

 other ewe. 



This operation is performed in this way. The wool is clipped 

 from the right flank, and an incision is made large enough to insert 

 the hand previously oiled or greased with carbolated vaseline. Five 

 inches is about right. The uterus (the womb) is then brought 

 into view, taking the utmost care to keep the intestines out of 

 danger, for it is quite possible to save both ewe and lamb by 

 skillful operation. The uterus is then opened, the membranes 

 removed and opened, and the lamb taken, cutting the cord and 

 tying it to prevent bleeding. The incisions are then closed by 

 sutures, using every precaution to sterilize the parts by a spray 

 of warm solution of carbolic acid or permanganate of potash. The 

 lamb is fed with fresh cow's milk, or put to a newly-lambed ewe. 

 The ewe is kept quiet and comfortable, and if the operation 

 has not been delayed too long, it has an equal chance for recovery. 

 Reports of thirty-four cases of this kind have been recorded, in 

 which fourteen were successful, both ewe and lamb having been 

 saved; in nine the ewe was saved, but the results as to the lamb 

 are not given. The ewe alone was saved in five instances, in six 

 the ewe died but the lambs were saved, and in only six both ewe 

 and lamb died. St. Cyr, a noted veterinarian, says in his work, 

 that this operation is decidedly dangerous for the parent, but 

 may be made with success as to the lamb; but the mother may 

 often be saved, if the due antiseptic precautions are taken and 

 the body is carefully bandaged to support the wounded parts. 

 If the mother's life is not the main object, by taking a sufficiently 

 early time for the operation, the lamb may be saved in a large 

 majority of cases. 



The incision in the flank need not be more than five inches 

 in length, and the intestines are o be carefully protected, and 

 sprayed by the antiseptic preparation. The most effective stimu- 

 lant for the ewe is a decoction of gentian, of which half a pint may 

 be given after the operation is completed. As to other animals, 

 especially cows, this operation has been generally successful. 



RETENTION OF THE AFTER-BIRTH. 



This is not at all common in the sheep as it is with, the 

 larger animals. The cause of this accident is weakness in the 

 ewe, or the spasmodic action of the os-uteri, or passage from 

 the uterus. The former is treated by giving stimulants to the 

 ewe, such as infusion of laurel berries, with aniseed, infused 

 in warm water as follows: 



Laurel berries 2 ounces. 



Aniseed 1 " 



Carbonate of soda .. ...2 " 



