306 



Diseases of Sheep. 



occurs that the ease thus obtained is only temporary, and the 

 manufacture of gas may continue undiminished; it is then ob- 

 vious that some method must be resorted to to prevent its accu- 

 muhiting. An injection of chloride of lime^ to the extent of a 

 drachm in half a pint of water, administered through the tube 

 before it is withdrawn^ will, by chemical affinity Avith the hydro- 

 gen, have the desired effect. After the sheep is relieved, 2 ounces 

 of Epsom salts should be given. 



In the earlier stages of hove, I have found relief derived from 

 keeping the sheep in constant brisk motion ; this is supposed to 

 cause a relaxation of the pillars of the roof of the paunch, which 

 allows the gas to escape into the oesophagean canal and through 

 the gullet : it may however be doubted whether this remedy is 

 beneficial for any other reason than that it interrupts the feeding, 

 and prevents in consequence an accumulation of gas more rapidly 

 than the animal can bear, I have also experienced good effects 

 from giving 2 or 3 ounces of castor oil combined with 2 drachms 

 of ginger. There can be no harm in trying these milder reme- 

 dies before resorting to mechanical means ; but if the distension 

 rapidly increases, no reliance can be placed on any treatment 

 Avithout operating. Sheep should not be first turned upon clover 

 or other luxuriant pasture when in a hungry state. '"^ This simple 

 precaution will generally prevent the access of the disease. 



DiARRHCEA and Dysentery. — The distinction betAveen these 

 too frequent and dangerous diseases of the sheep is, that the first 

 is mostly confined to the mucous membrane of the small intes- 

 tines ; in the other, the large intestines are involved, and the 

 inflammation is more intense. Diarrhoea is peculiarly fatal 

 in lambs, especially when first Aveancd. Some care is requi- 

 site to distinguish betAveen a healthy, though perhaps too 

 abundant, discharge, and one that is the effect of disease. When 

 it attains so much Aiolence as to interfere Avith the animal's 

 strength, and to take him off his feed, it must be regarded as 

 disease, and be instantly checked. The milk of the CAve is 

 naturally aperient ; but, in general, diarrhoea is attributable 

 to the quality of the food Avhen the lamb begins to graze. Young 

 succulent grasses are very apt to produce it ; and it folloAVS that 

 change of diet is the proper remedy. Dysentery is often at- 

 tended Avith inflamimation of the bowels, and sometimes AAdth fe- 

 brile symqitoms. Where the animal labours under obA'ious 

 pain in the abdomen (and the seat of the pain Avill be easily 

 discovered by its shrinking from the touch), I recommend 



* Nor until the dew be off. If a little old hay be also given before they 

 are turned out of the fold, it Avill in a great degree check the danger during 

 the first few days after they are put upon turnips. — F. Burke. 



