338 THE DOMESTIC SHEEP. 



if they should recover, which sometimes happens, if the poison 

 escapes outwardly by effusion; but it leaves them disabled, and 

 weak and useless to the shepherd. 



As the disease is contagious it is best to kill and bury the sick 

 animal immediately, out of reach of dogs, which may spread the 

 poison by dying by its ^effects, arid leaving their dead bodies on 

 the range or pasture. Then preventive measures should be under- 

 taken. Rich, wet pastures should be drained; overflowed lands 

 should be avoided; pure water only used for the flock; and the 

 rank young pastures of the Spring should be used for an hour or 

 two only in the day until the excessive succulence of it disappears. 

 In the same way coarse, innutritions herbage in the Fall should 

 be avoided, as also pasturing on sAvampy lands, at that time of 

 the year. 



DIARRHEA-WHITE SCOUR OF LAMBS. 



This disease is rather an indication of a malady than a disease 

 itself. It is the manifestation of a condition of the digestive 

 organs by which the food is not digested, and is discharged in an 

 offensive condition, which is the result of the irritation it exerts 

 ori the bowels. It is also one of the symptoms of disorder of the 

 liver. But it exists mostly as the effect of the food on the system. 

 Inferior and indigestible food, as well as those kinds that are too 

 rich in one special element unbalanced it is termed and which 

 are thrown off in this abnormal manner, are the most frequent 

 causes. 



It happens also as a result of parasites in the intestines, in- 

 cluding the liver in this category. Also as a result of the over 

 rich and indigestible character of the milk of a highly fed ewe. In- 

 deed in the ewes any injurious element of the food or diseased 

 product of the system is carried off by the milk, and thus this 

 scour of lambs is really an indication of something wrong with 

 the ewe. It is also a symptom of several special diseases. Thus, 

 its treatment depends on a full acquaintance with the special cir- 

 cumstances of each case. The symptoms are too well known to 

 need repetition. The worst cases are those in lambs through 

 whom the ewe's milk passes almost unchanged, for this implies 

 starvation, and an early death, unless the disease is checked imme- 

 diately. 



In this case the ewe is to be treated, for it is the milk of the 

 ewes which irritates the bowels of the lambs. It is not desirable 

 to give astringent medicines, as the saying is, to dry up the in- 

 valid. This makes matters worse, often. A soft, emollient, soot'h- 

 ing laxative given to the lamb, to act on the inflamed intestines, 

 and an altreative given to the ewe will be the most effective 

 treatment. Astringents are to be avoided. Mild healing laxa- 

 tives and tonics are indicated, such as the following: 



Epsom salt? 2 ounces. 



Carbonate of soda 3 drams. 



Ground ginger 2 drams. 



Warm thin gruel Vz a pint. 



