326 



Diseases of Sheep. 



condition, brought on by too much nursing. When the shepherd 

 perceives one of the flock losing its fleece he ought, by immediate 

 shearing, to save the wool, and, if the skin appears scurfy, it should 

 be anointed with lard, or linseed or other oils. If the weather is 

 severe at the time of this premature shearing, the animal should 

 be clothed in a coarse canvas jacket lined with flannel.* 



The Fly. — Sheep are most liable to be struck by this in- 

 sect in the months of August and September, but it is a very 

 prevalent complaint during the continuance of hot showery 

 weather. It is caused by a large species of fly, which select 

 the wool of the sheep for their nest, and generally settle under- 

 neath the tail. Inattention to cleanliness, by allowing the dung 

 to accumulate on the part, is one of the chief causes. The sheep 

 betrays its uneasiness by refusing to feed, and by various con- 

 tortions of the body in its endeavours to rid itself of its trouble- 

 some parasites^ which a little experience will easily detect. Too 

 much attention cannot be bestowed on the flock by the shepherd to 

 discover the affected sheep, for, although the discolouration of their 

 wool, and the uneasiness which the animal manifests on most occa- 

 sions, might seem enough to attract attention from the most super- 

 ficial examination, I am persuaded, by experience, that, without 

 the strictest scrutiny, many of the flies wdll be passed over, the coat 

 become injured, and not unfrequently the sheep destroyed, before 

 it has been discovered that it is seriously ill. To guard against 

 this, the flock should be counted twice a-day, for often when a 

 sheep is struck it will run into the shade of a deep ditch for pro- 

 tection, and there remain undiscovered. The flock should be 

 separately examined, one by one, before the flies are busy ; andj 

 during the day, it should be carefully noticed whether flies are 

 inclined to settle on any particular sheep ; and if so, on close 

 inspection of that sheep, it will be found that there are fly-blows 

 or maggotS;, even though the animal at the time seems insensible 

 of it. 



The best application for the destruction of the maggot is the 

 scab-ointment given in the Appendix (No. 1), especially if the 

 skin be much broken, as it assists to heal the wounds and keeps 

 the skin from cracking. The ointment must be laid on and a little 

 beyond the affected parts, separating the wool in furrows, and 

 closely applying it to the skin ; after this is done the wool should 

 be carefully brushed backwards and forwards with the fingers, 

 when the maggots will very soon roll out. The sheep should be 



* If thus dressed, should not the jacket be rendered impervious to wet, 

 either by the outer covering being made of M ater-proof materia], or by 

 smearing it with pitch? for the rain will otherwise penetrate through it to 

 the Hannel, which will retain the moisture, and thus keep the animal con- 

 stantly damp and cold. — F. Burke. 



