DISEASES OF SHEEP. lOf 



removes all danger. The sheep is led by a rope of twistec 

 straw into a pond, or if possible into cold running water, anc 

 then kept in moderate motion. If no improvement takes 

 place, a thin tube, provided with a small button of wool oi 

 linen, is introduced into the stomach through the mouth 

 which causes the air to escape in large quantity. Interna 

 remedies are also •very beneficial, as, for example, a tea 

 spoonful of burnt lime and water every ten or fifteen min 

 utes, or three-fourths of a pint of soapsuds or lye of ashes 

 or a teaspoonful of mustard, with brandy, etc. Indeed al 

 the remedies given to cattle against this disease apply here 

 but only one-third or one-fourth the quantity is given U 

 sheep' that would be given to cattle under similar circum 

 stances. If the disease runs very high, the same symptomi 

 appear as in cattle, and death follows not unfrequentlj 

 from bursting of the stomach. In such cases puncturinj 

 the belly is the only remedy, which is performed in essen 

 tially the same manner as for cattle. The trochar to bi 

 used for sheep is about four inches long and as thicl 

 as a medium-sized quill. It is plunged into the most dis 

 tended part of the belly after removing the wool. Whei 

 the gases have escaped, the trochar should be removed, be 

 cause it is injurious to the animal if it remains in too long 

 The operation easily becomes dangerous in sheep, whicl 

 are more irritable than cattle. Nevertheless it is often th^ 

 only means of saving the animal, and should always h 

 performed when there is danger, because it may save th' 

 patient in a majority of cases. If no trochar is at hand 

 a penknife or other narrow cutting instrument may be em 

 ployed, although with less advantage. After making ai 

 incision a thin tube is inserted in the opening. The woun( 

 heals of itself, and may if necessary be covered with a littL 

 tar. 



The operation of cutting the belly has not, to my know 



10 



