SHEEP HUSBANDRY, 377 



This disease is Induced by dry indigestible food; impure water; a lack 

 of water; neglected diarrhea: and feeding in a pasture in warm weather; 

 that has been occupied by sheep that have had this disease, the sheep 

 taking the poison from the grass that has been contaminated by their 

 discharges. 



Inflammation of the Bowels. This is not a common disease in 

 this country, but occurs occasionally as the result of continued indiges- 

 tion or bad feeding and bad water in warm weather. The disease makes 

 its first appearance b)' weeping and redness of the eyes, and a tired and 

 pained expression to the face. There is a loss of appetite and no rumi- 

 nation (chewing of the cud). There is weakness and staggering, swell- 

 ing of the flanks, high fever and difficult breathing. 



To prevent its spread, if it once makes its appearance, change the pas- 

 ture to high grounds and supply plenty of pure water. It is not conta- 

 gious and only spreads when conditions favor the disease. When the 

 sheep are put back in their old pasture, as a preventive give them salt 

 which has had one ounce each of the sulphate of iron, powdered gentian 

 and powdered ginger mixed with every six pounds. 



To cure, give an ounce of Linseed or Castor Oil, or Epsom salts, and 

 follow after it has operated with one dram doses of the Sulphite of Soda, 

 twice a day. The food should be glutinous and semi-liquid, such as oat- 

 meal or linseed gruel. Unless the animal is very valuable, it is a ques- 

 tion whether it will pay to attempt a cure in a serious case, as the 

 recovery is slow, and the debiHty caused by the disease is of itself 

 often fatal. 



Hoven, This is a disease common to ruminants and as the sheep is 

 one of this class, it, like the others, is subject to the disease. It arises 

 from the forming of gases by the food that is in the first stomach or ru- 

 men. This gas collects in such large quantities that the rumen (paunch) 

 is so distended that it presses forward against the diaphragm and inter- 

 feres with the action of both the heart and lungs. It shows it- 

 self outwardly by a distention of the left side of the abdomen, by which 

 the skin is tightly drawn until it seems in danger of bursting. 



Treatment. An alkaline that will absorb the gas is the best treat- 

 ment. The best alkaline fiuid that can be given is as follows: 



1 tea-spoonful Aqua Ammonia, (Hartshorn Water), 

 ^ pint Water. 



This should be given an a drench. A rubber tube of the proper size 

 should be kept on hand to be used as a probang. This could be forced 



