IN GOAT-KEEPING 37 



tween ; of course this does not apply to the minor ailments which 

 usually result from errors in feeding and are easily cared for. 



As previously stated, goats will not do well on low, wet or 

 clay soil, and if obliged to remain on same continually, trouble 

 will follow. Neither should they be kept for more than two sea- 

 sons in the same pasture, if at all crowded. According to Pegler, 

 the ground becomes fouled and the goats contract a disease which 

 results in loss of appetite, great emaciation, diarrhoea or dysen- 

 tery, general debility and death, although none of the vital or- 

 gans appear affected. Though not positively determined, it is 

 probably a germ disease, and no cure is known. It can, however, 

 be prevented by using fresh pasture every year or two and 

 ploughing and planting the old. If this cannot be done, the goats 

 will thrive and do well if kept housed and their green food 

 brought to them. In this case they should have a small yard or 

 enclosure for exercise, which, however, should not be large 

 enough for grass or weeds to get started, as they convey the germ 

 to the animal's stomach. 



Foot and Mouth Disease is most prevalent among cattle but 

 sometimes affects sheep and goats when exposed to it. The symp- 

 toms are loss of appetite, ulcers or vesicles forming on the mem- 

 brane of the mouth, causing long strings of saliva to dribble 

 therefrom; when the feet are affected the ulcers form on the ex- 

 posed portion, usually just above the hoof and lameness results. 

 It is very contagious and should be reported to the health author- 

 ities without delay. The following disinfectant may be used and is 

 recommended by the Dept. of Agriculture, with the statement that 

 it will destroy the virus in one hour : Milk of Lime, one per cent ; 

 Carbolic Acid Mixture, two per cent; Formalin, three per cent; 

 one per cent each Bicarbonate of Soda and Hydrochloric Acid. 



Catarrh or Influenza — The symptoms are discharge from nose 

 and eyes with sneezing; with bronchitis there is difficulty in 

 breathing and a wheezing cough. Pegler says, "The treatment 

 consists in keeping the animal warm and quiet, feeding gruel and 

 mashes, with a few doses of Epsom salts and ginger (the propor- 

 tions for one dose being one ounce of salts to one drachm of gin- 

 ger) which will usually effect a cure." 



Mr. Robert N. Riddle, the first to import Swiss goats into 

 this country, and a man of wide experience with animals, recom- 

 mends cod-liver oil for coughs and colds — use the plain oil and 

 give one tablespoonful three or four times a day. I have found 

 this very helpful. Prevention consists in keeping the goat house 

 dry and well ventilated, free from draughts and sudden changes 

 of temperature. 



Constipation occurs principally with kids after weaning, 

 with change of food, and is seldom dangerous. One ounce of com- 

 mon salt or one-half ounce of Epsom salts in a quarter of a pint 



