288 Sheep-Farming 



of diet and a stomach tonic. Wheat bran seasoned 

 with salt and ginger is good. If any green feed, 

 silage, or roots are available, use them and give the 

 sheep access to salt and water. 



Colic. — Sheep occasionally suffer with colic. It 

 is due to derangement of digestion and should be so 

 treated. Determine the cause of the disorder and 

 remove it. As a temporary relief, a teaspoonful of 

 ginger administered with a quart of water as warm 

 as the animal can take it is beneficial. It is rarely 

 serious unless accompanied by bloating. This is 

 due to an acid condition of the stomach. In such 

 cases, an alkali should be administered. A table- 

 spoonful of soda in warm water will usually give 

 relief. In extreme cases, a trocar or knife should be 

 used to remove the gas. This is a comparatively 

 safe operation on the sheep. The puncture should 

 be made on the left side between the last rib and 

 point of hip. 



Abortion, slinking. — This is not uncommon in 

 isolated cases as the result of injury or fright. Such 

 instances need cause no alarm, and call for no special 

 treatment when the afterbirth comes away promptly. 

 In cases of delayed expulsion of the lamb bed, it 

 should be removed. This can usually be done by 

 flushing the womb with warm water. The water 

 should have been boiled and allowed to cool to the 

 proper temperature and have some good antiseptic 

 added. 



