HYDROCEPHALUS HYDA.TIDETJS. 323 



of the taenia. Herds managed without dogs are found to 

 be quite free from the disease. However, dogs may be used 

 with impunity when the sheep are upwards of eighteen 

 months old. 



Treatment. (The following is from the Practical 

 Farmer, by the present writer.) The treatment of this 

 infection, until lately, has been varied, barbarous, and 

 cruel ; one practising and recommending the cutting and 

 pulling out the ears, and another of hunting the poor ani- 

 mals with dogs, and, if possible, running them over some 

 precipice, frequently maiming or killing them. A strong 

 knitting-needle forced up the nostrils has long been used, 

 with occasional success ; but a small case of instruments, 

 consisting of four pieces, is much better and safer, and, 

 if properly used, will cure from seventy to eighty sheep 

 out of a hundred thus affected, and can be used by any 

 intelligent shepherd or farmer with perfect safety. In 

 operating, observe carefully the side to which the sheep 

 turns, as it invariably turns to the side of the skull which 

 is affected, and which must be first operated upon. Secure 

 and tie fast all the four feet, and place the animal on a 

 table. Let your assistant sit down on the end of the table. 

 Clip away all wool from the brow, sides, and crown of the 

 head. Ascertain, by the fingers, if the skull yields on 

 pressure at any particular spot on the side to which the 

 sheep turned : if so, shave the wool from the soft part. 

 Use first the instrument with the adjusting screw, its use 

 being to prepare for the other, it being made a little wider 

 than the trocar, with canula, so that the silver may not be 

 broken in piercing the bone. Care, however, must be taken 

 to stop when the point is fairly through the skull : this is 

 easily ascertained. The guard must then be screwed back. 

 This done, take it out and insert the trocar and canula in 



