338 



Diseases of Sheep. 



must be very cautious and gentle in urging lier. These symp- 

 toms ought to be continued for two or three hours, or even more, 

 before he feels imperatively called on to interfere, except the lamb 

 is in such a position as to warrant fears of losing it. In cold 

 weather particularly the labour is likely to be protracted. Should 

 the ewe appear exhausted and gradually sinking under her 

 labour, it will be right to give her some oatmeal -gruel, with a 

 little linseed, in the proportion of a spoonful of the latter to two 

 of the former."^ When the ewe feels that she is unable of herself 

 to expel the lamb, she will quietly submit to the shepherd's assist- 

 ance. In giving her this assistance, his first duty is to ascertain 

 whether the lyresentafion is natural. The natural presentation is 

 Avith the muzzle foremost, and a foot on each side of it. Should 

 all be right in this respect, he must proceed to disengage the lamb, 

 first very gently draiving down the legs, and with all joossihle ten- 

 derness smoothing and facilitating the passing of the head with his 

 fingers, rather than forcibly extricating it — the particular attention 

 of the shepherd being given to these points. This may be effected 

 by passing the finger up the rectum, until he feels the back of 

 the lamb's head, and then urging it forwards at the same time 

 that you gently pull the legs. Sometimes the head is sufficiently 

 advanced, but the legs are too backward. In this case the head 

 must be gently pushed back, and the hand, being well oiled, must 

 be introduced into the vagina, and applied to the legs so as to 

 place them in their natural position, equal with the head. Should 

 the fore feet, on the other hand, protrude, they must, in like man- 

 ner, be returned, and the same assistance given to advance the head. 

 If the hind quarters present themselves first, the hand must be 

 applied to get hold of both the hind legs together, and draw 

 them gently but firmly ; the lamb may often be easily removed in 

 this position. It is no uncommon occurrence to find the head of 

 the lamb protruding and much swollen ; but still by patience and 

 gentle manipulation it may often be gradually brought forward ; 

 or even Nature, not unduly interfered with, will complete her 

 work, if the pelvis is not very much deformed. Should, however, 

 the strength of the mother be rapidly wasting, the head may be 

 taken away ; and then the operator, pushing back the lamb, may 

 introduce his hand, and, laying hold of the fore-legs, effect the 

 delivery. It also often happens that the legs are thrust out to the 

 shoulder, and from the throes of the animal it is not possible to 

 replace them, so as to get up the head of the lamb ; by partially 



* "When the ewe, under these circumstances, requires support, oatmeal- 

 gruel, with treacle and one gill of ale, will be found a warm and com- 

 forting drink : and, after a difficult time of lambing, when inllammation 

 is to be apprehended, rye-meal gruel, with a good proportion of treacle 

 (without the ale), will form an excellent restorative. — J. W. Childers. 



