SHEEP HUSBANDRY. 389 



water then escapes and is absorbed, leaving the worm to perish. 



Hair-Worms in the Intestines. A species of "hair-worm" 

 called from its peculiar formation TRicoCEPHAiuS, is not uncommon in 

 sheep. It infests the stomach and intestines, causing obstinate diarrhea, 

 and rapid wasting of flesh. These worms burrow their heads into the 

 membrane lining the organs, which submits to no treatment while they 

 remain. A cough is often present along with the diarrhea. Other 

 species of worms, of habits identical with these, and producing the same 

 injurious effects, also infest the sheep, but more particularly lambs and 

 yearlings. Salt in doses of half an ounce, given on alternate days with 

 one dram doses of sulphate of iron, the salt being given on one day and the 

 iron the next, is a very sure remed)' for this class of parasites, and the 

 disease which results from their presence. To counteract the debilitating 

 effect of these parasites, the food should be of the most nutritive and 

 digestible character, and linseed in some shape should not be omitted. 



Tape-worms, or Tsenia Plicata. The sheep themselves are 

 sometimes infested with mature tape-worms. This is easily explained 

 by the possibility of the sheep swallowing along with their pasture 

 some of the eggs which may have been voided by any of the numerous 

 bearers of these worms, both domesticated and wild. 



Generallj' the symptoms developed by the presence of tape-worms are 

 voracity of appetite, alternating with a refusal of food; loss of condition, 

 desire to swallow earth, stones, sand, or ashes; the passage of soft dung, 

 mixed with mucus, which becomes attached to the vent and tail, causing 

 a very filthy condition ; and the evidence of internal pain. The sheep 

 finally dies greatly emaciated. There is no means of prevention, as the 

 eggs may be dropped by rabbits, squirrels, skunks, and other wild ani- 

 mals which frequent the fields. The treatment most effective is to ad- 

 minister turpentine as follows: 



2 ounces Linseed Oil. 



J to 1 ounce Spirits of Turpentine. 



This should be repeated twice a week for two weeks. If this is not 

 effective, three ounces of the Powdered root of Male Fern may be given. 

 The dose to be repeated in one week. In six hours after this is admin- 

 istered, a purgative of linseed-oil should be given. The food should be 

 of the best kind until the lost condition is restored. 



Tape-worms in any of their forms of life, affect only young sheep and 

 lambs. When sheep attain the age of two years they are safe from 

 them, and it is very rare indeed that one older than this becomes in- 

 fested with them. 



