DISEASES AND TREATMENT OF SHEEP AND PIGS 459 
7. Tape Worm. 
Tapeworm usually affects young sheep, but may affect old 
ones. The disease is generally seen in sheep that are pastur- 
ing on low, rich pasture fields, where dogs that are affected 
with tapeworm often run across and leave their droppings, as 
this is the way the disease is carried, and spreads from one- 
flock to the other. When one sheep becomes affected with 
tapeworm, the worm grows rapidly until it assumes the 
length of from ten to fifty feet. It is made up of flat joints 
about half an inch long. After the tapeworm gets large, fre- 
quently these joints become broken off and pass away with 
the manure. The joint is alive when it comes away and re- 
mains alive and crawls about on the grass. Very often an- 
other sheep comes along and picks it up, and as soon as it 
reaches the bowels it begins to grow and forms a new 
tapeworm. 
Symptoms. — There is loss of flesh and a peculiar dull 
appearance of the eyes. The appetite is good but the food 
eaten seems to be of little good as the nourishment is ab 
sorbed by the worm. 
As soon as these symptoms are noticed watch the drop- 
pings carefully for joints of the tapeworm. These are flat 
and about half an inch in length. The finding of these of 
course is sure proof of the disease. Tapeworm is dangerous 
and should be treated promptly. 
Treatment.— -Separate the diseased sheep from those that 
do not show the symptoms and put them in a stable, not 
allowing them to eat anything for twelve hours. At the end 
of this time they are ready for treatment. Give the following: 
Oil of Male Shield Fern 1 dram or 1 teaspoonful. 
Raw Linseed Oil teacupful. 
Mix and give as a drench to each of the affected sheej) 
After this drench feed them light, keeping them in the stabk- 
so that you can watch their droppings. Should this work 
upon the bowels as it usually does, a sort of bunch of worm 
often as large as the two hands comes away. 
Should the medicine not act in this manner allow the 
patient no food for another twelve hours and repeat the dose 
If a large sheep, give a teaspoonful and a half of the oil of 
male shield fern. Keep this treatment up until the worm 
