446 MANUAL OF FABM ANIMALS 



After treating, the sheep should not be allowed water for 

 several hours. 



Each animal in the flock should be treated at the same time. 

 While some sheep may be able to withstand the presence of the 

 parasite, they serve as a source of infection. While the tape- 

 worms are being voided, the flock should be confined to one place, 

 and the droppings with the segments oi worms destroyed. 



DIGESTIVE DISORDERS 



Among sheep, digestive disorders arising from overfeeding, 

 from irregular feeding, and the feeding of food too dry and woody, 

 are of rather common occurrence. First of all, however, we will 

 consider bloating, as it may be of frequent occurrence, unless 

 extra care is taken, when turning to clover, alfalfa, and rape 

 pasture. 



Bloating. — When bloat occurs among sheep, treatment to be 

 of any avail must be prompt, as the gas generated often causes 

 death from suffocation in a very few minutes. If the animal is 

 in much distress when found, the paunch should be punctured 

 where the distension is greatest, in order that the gas may escape. 

 For this a trocar and canula is best, but in the absence a long- 

 bladed pen knife will serve. After relief has been had, disin- 

 fect the wound. If there was not sufiicient time to remove the 

 wool from the spot before the puncture, it should be removed 

 now and a little pine tar applied to repel the flies. (See page 

 351.) 



If the bloating is not so severe, relief may be obtained by tying 

 a stick or corn cob in the mouth similar to a bit, thus holding the 

 mouth open, and the sheep, in rubbing the cob or stick with the 

 tongue, often struggles in such a way as to prevent further bloat- 

 ing. If the sheep are noticed when first distressed, give them 

 three tablespoonf uls of raw linseed oil to which has been added a 

 teaspoonful of turpentine. Slowly pouring cold water over the 



