88 



The Rot in Sheep. 



and protochloride of iron, the therapeutic action of which, espe- 

 cially in the quantities in which they are formed, will not mate- 

 rially interfere with the undecomposed common salt and sulphate 

 of iron. Apart, however, from the question of a partial chemical 

 change in the agents, we can speak confidently of the practical 

 utility of the compound in the treatment of rot. The quantity 

 of it to be given to each sheep daily should be half a pint, in 

 addition to an ordinary allowance of corn or cake and hay-chaff. 

 It may be used with advantage for three or four weeks in suc- 

 cession, but should be discontinued occasionally for a day or two, 

 especially if the animals become affected with diarrhoea. 



In the further treatment of rot, attention should be given to 

 the expulsion if possible of the flukes from the biliary ducts — 

 not that we think any medicinal agents can be depended on for 

 this purpose. Nevertheless, trial may be made of the oil of tur- 

 pentine, combined with linseed oil and nitric aether, in the 

 following proportions : — 



m£X™ :. :. :. :. 



Linseed oil ... .. ..2 ozs. 



This may be administered once a day for three or four suc- 

 ceeding days, at intervals of about a fortnight ; and, although 

 not positively required, it may be as well if the medicated food 

 compound be suspended at these times. Beyond the adoption 

 of these measures we can see no advantage in the medical treat- 

 ment of this disease. 



Under the head of treatment, however, we must not omit to 

 mention that trial was given in 1861 to a much extolled French 

 remedy for rot, the full particulars of which were reported at the 

 time to the Royal Agricultural Society. Although failing in its 

 object, we deem it necessary, however, for the sake of complete- 

 ness, to transfer the report to our pages. 



" Report on the Employment of a French Remedy for the Cure of 

 Rot in Sheep. 



" It will be remembered that in the early part of the present year, 1861, 

 M. Trehonnais called the attention of the agricultural community to a remedy, 

 much extolled for its curative properties, which had been employed in some 

 parts of France for the rot in sheep, and that M. Trehonnais also very liberally 

 engaged to obtain a sufficient quantity of the agent for trial in this country. 

 The Council resolved, in consequence of this favourable report, on the re- 

 commendation of the Veterinary Committee, to purchase some sheep for the 

 experiment, and voted a sum of 121. for the purpose. 



" In accordance with this resolution, instructions were given me to procure 

 such animals as I deemed fitting for the purpose, and to commence the 

 experiment as early as circumstances would permit. In selecting the sheep, 

 which were of the improved Dorset breed, I took care that they should be of 

 the same age as near as possible, but be in different stages of the malady, and in 



