Diseases 279 



about the head, an unnatural elevation and tossing 

 of the head to one side, pressing against racks or 

 other obstacles, or moving in a circle. In advanced 

 stages, the affected sheep falls over and with head 

 thrown back it struggles until death relieves it. 



I do not consider any treatment, either surgical 

 or medicinal, of any practical benefit, although I am 

 familiar with the oft-advised surgical operation of 

 trephining. As the trouble is purely a local one in 

 the brain and certainly in the earliest stages in no 

 wise affects the general health, the flesh is not un- 

 fitted for human food, and the wise thing is to 

 slaughter the animal so affected at the first symp- 

 toms of the ailment. 



The preventive treatment suggested by the ac- 

 cepted life history of the tapeworm is to keep dogs 

 and other canines off sheep pastures or to treat 

 them frequently enough to keep them free from 

 adult worms. This is comparatively easy both be- 

 cause of the small number of dogs and the ease of 

 treating them. A standard remedy is one dram of 

 extract of male shield fern, given in a small amount 

 of milk. The dog should first be fasted for twelve 

 hours, and within two hours after the administration 

 of the medicine, be given an ounce of castor oil. This 

 should be allowed to act before any solid food is given. 

 It is recommended to repeat this treatment ppce a 

 month until a complete eradication of the tapfeworm 

 is effected. Of course, marauding dogs must be kept 



