Diseases of Sheep. 



327 



examined again in a few hours, and if any have been overlooked in 

 the first operation they will now be found in small clusters, when 

 another application of the ointment will generally be sufficient to 

 remove them altogether. 



In cases where the sores are so numerous and extensive that 

 the ointment cannot be prudently used in adequate quantities, the 

 wool being closely removed, the parts should be bathed with milk, 

 a small quantity of white-lead scraped on, and then linseed- oil 

 applied with a soft brush. This treatment should be repeated 

 daily until the cm-e is completed ; a covering being provided for 

 the animal to protect it from flies. 



If a lotion is preferred, the one found in the Appendix (No. 2) 

 is equally efficacious for destroying the maggot, but it is a harsh 

 remedy and injurious to the w^ool. 



In order to prevent the fly from blowing in the Vvool, it is a 

 common practice in the west of England, about a month after 

 shearing, to smear the sheep over the back and round the tail 

 with a composition of sulphur and hellebore ; given in the 

 Appendix (No. 3).* 



There is another complaint, commonly called Sore-heads, 

 which is also caused by the fly, but a smaller and distinct species 

 from the preceding, and is most troublesome in woody enclosed 

 districts. The flies settle on the head of the sheep, which causes 

 them to strike at it with their hind feet ; hence the skin becomes 

 wounded, w^hen the insects, settling on the abrasure, quickly 

 extend and deepen the sore, and annoy the animals to such a 

 degree, as to prevent them from feeding whilst their tormentors 

 are on the v/ing. 



I haTe tried various remedies, but found nothing better than 

 the grease on the axle-trees of carts, called cart-gum — a compo- 

 sition of tar, grease, and oil. Spirit of tar is also an excellent 

 application, from its smell being offensive to the fly. 



In order to apply the dressings the flock should be had into the 

 fold (if not already there) early in the morning, and, as their 



* I have tried several remedies, and all of them have destroyed the mag- 

 gots. It is injurious to the flock to be driving them about to catch those 

 affected by the maggot, when the weather is warm. The best mode of pro- 

 ceeding that has come within my own experience is to dress the lambs with 

 the powder, when the Hy appears, early in the spring, and to have them 

 dipped for the ticks early in the autumn, which prevents the fly from attack- 

 ing them late in th3 season. There is danger in dipping lambs early in the 

 season, when young and tender, and I have found by experience that when 

 dipped very early, they have been struck with the Hy late in the season ; 

 therefore, the application of the powder (which is an excellent remedy to 

 prevent the fly from striking, and in which there is no danger to the young 

 lambs), and dipping them early in the autumn, is a safer course in the era- 

 dication both of maggots and ticks. — W. Humfrey. 



