148 CHILLED LAMBS. 



good for the lamb as new milk, and that it passes the howels 

 freely, without being too laxative. 



Chilled Lambs. — When a lamb is found " chilled " in 

 cold weather, i. e., unable to move, or swallow, and perhaps 

 with its jaws "set," no time is to be lost. It can not be 

 restored by mere friction ; and if only wrapped in a blanket 

 and put in a warm room, it will inevitably die. It should at 

 once be placed in a heated oven, or in a bath of water about as 

 hot as can be comfortably borne by the hand. The restoration 

 must be immediate, and to effect this the degree of warmth 

 applied greater than an inexperienced person would suppose a 

 lamb capable of enduring. Where neither oven nor water are 

 ready, (one of these always ought to be ready at such times 

 in the farm house,) the lamb should be held over a fire or 

 over coals, constantly turning it, rubbing it with the hands, 

 bending its joiats, &c. On taking it from the water it should 

 be rubbed thoroughly dry. If sufficient animation is restored 

 for it to suck, and it at once fills itself, the danger is over. 

 But if it revives slowly, or remains too weak or languid to 

 suck, it should, as soon as it can swallow,* receive from half to 

 a full teaspoonful of gin, whiskey or other spirits, mixed with 

 enough mUk for a feed — the amount of the spirits being 

 proportioned to the size and apparent necessities of the lamb. 



If taken to the stable to suck it should be wrapped in a 

 woolen blanket while on the way, if the cold is severe ; and 

 the temperature of the stable will decide whether it is safe to 

 leave it there, or whether it should be returned to the house 

 for a few hours longer. If returned, it should not be placed 

 in a room heated above the common temperature of those 

 occupied by a family. It is astonishing from how near a point 

 to death lambs can be restored by the above means. It often 

 appears literally like a re -animation of the dead. 



If a lamb is found beginning to be chilled — inactive, 

 stupid, but still able to swallow-^ the dose of spirits above 

 recommended acts on it like a charm. If it will not drink the 

 mixture from the sucking bottle — which is scarcely to be 

 expected — it must be poured down it carefully with a spoon, 

 giving ample time to swallow. Some administer ground black 

 pepper in the place of spirits. It is not so prompt or so 

 decided in its effects, and its effects do not so rapidly pass 

 away, leaving the restored functions to their natural action. 



* Under no poasiblo circnmstances should fluid be poured down the throat before 

 the lamb can swallow. 



