310 CONSTIPATION COLIC OR STKBTCHES. 



run too thick, is the best preventive. I have also found 

 either of the following recipes to stay its ravages when given 

 in "time ; they may be adopted, where parties reject the hot 

 water plan, with equal success : 



"No. 1. Four tablespoonfuls of common salt, one tea- 

 spoonful of turpentine, mixed with a little water, and repeated 

 in a milder dose when necessary. 



" No. 2. One teaspoonful of laudanum, one tablespoonful 

 either gin or rum, well mixed and given ; repeat the dose if 

 necessary, or in a milder form. 



" No. 3. One ounce of alum iu half a pint of warm water. 

 The above three recipes will also stay the progress of 

 diarrhea in lambs." 



Constipation. — There is a tendency toward this in 

 pregnant ewes confined too long to dry feed, as has been 

 already mentioned : and the appropriate remedy is to give a 

 portion of green feed, (see pages 221-228.) Long confinement 

 to dry feed produces a degree of oostiveness in all sheep, which 

 occasionally results in colic. The preventive is the same. 

 The constipation of young lambs and its proper treatment 

 have been sufficiently described at page 149. 



Colic, oe Steetches. — The cause of this disease is given 

 under preceding head. The paroxysms recur at intervals. 

 During the continuance of tbem the sheep stretches itself 

 incessantly- and often twists about, its head as if in severe 

 pain. It lies down and rises frequently. The termination 

 is occasionally fatal, unless the bowels are promptly opened 

 by medicine. An ounce of Epsom salts dissolved in warm 

 water, with a drachm of ginger and a teaspoonful of the 

 essence of peppermint should be administered to a sheep and 

 half as much to a lamb.* Three very excellent practical 

 shepherds f write me — ^the first, that " he gives Epsom salts 

 successfully for stretches:" the second, that he "uses a 

 decoction of thoroughwort or boneset — that warm tea is 

 also good :" the third, that he " employs castor oU, and if the 

 case is obstinate, a moderate dose of aloes." Attacks of this 

 disease become habitual to some sheep. It can always be pre- 

 vented by giving green feed daily, or even once or twice a week. 



* Some farmers lift up the sheep by its hind-legs and shake it a little in that posi- 

 tion, nnder the belief that it cures stretches. I have never tried it. Others " drag 

 it about by the hind-legs V^ 



+ Nelson A. Saxton, of Vergennes, Vermont ; William H. Sanford, of Orwell, 

 Vermont; and Prosper Elithorp, of Bridport, Vermont. 



