Parturient Fever in Ewes. 
385 
to collect fat) siifTor most; and, as I before stated, a delicate 
sheep ; but losses have been sustained from the fact tliat the 
breeder, thinkhiiz; thein too fat, a short time before the full period 
of tjestation lessens the supply of food which is j)lentiful and 
nutritious, and substitutes that of a poorer nature. 1 well recol- 
lect the circumstance of an extensive breeder unknowinjily feeding 
a number of pregnant ewes for the butcher, who did not discover 
his ignorance until after sixteen weeks' gestation — the ewes at 
this time were fat enough for slaughtering : alarmed with the 
fear of losing them in lambing, he disposed of them to an expe- 
rienced sheep-dealer ; the dealer did not think there was any 
particular danger in lambing such ewes, and continued to feed 
them upon the most nutritious diet, such as linseed-cake, oats, 
hay, chaff, and turnips. He had not a case of parturient fever ; 
and his losses otherwise were- not more than 2 per cent. 
1 have said, insuflicient and improper food, close folding, ex- 
posure to fatigue, to cold, and moisture, are causes of parturient 
fever. The liistory of four Hocks of ewes, that suffered great 
mortality in 1853, and which came under my own notice,- may 
not be unintere^ing ; it will show that facts have been the 
foundation of my assertions. The history of many other suffer- 
ing Hocks might be added, but connected with which there would 
be much similarity, and their insertion would only be supei'fluous 
matter in the pages of this Essay. 
Lot 1, Four hundred Sussex Downs. This flock occupied a 
small fold, which allowed only limited exercise ; their bedding was 
a chalky puddle, and they did not rest themselves in lying 
down ; this circumstance exposed them to fatigue. Their fold 
was previously occupied by fattening sheep, the refuse food from 
which the ewes were obliged to eat ; here they were exposed to 
insuflicient and improper food. Losses sustained, 15 per cent. 
Lot 2, Sussex Downs, under similar circumstances to the pre- 
ceding lot, and not until a loss of 18 per cent, had been sustained 
were these poor animals removed to a situation more favourable 
for them. They Avere removed to a dry part of the farm, soil 
sandy, belter fed, largely folded, and allowed plenty of exercise ; 
and the disease soon subsided. 
Lot 3, Sussex Downs ; about a month before the full period of 
gestation were driven a distance of 30 miles ; here this lot was 
exposed to fatigue. They suffered a loss of 10 per cent. 
Lot 4, Sussex Downs, under similar circumstances to Lots 1 
and 2. Losses 10 per cent. Folding and feeding altered as in 
Lot 2, and with the same results. 
Symptoms. — The most early symptom that marks the com- 
mencement of this disease — first the ewe suddenly leaves her 
•food, twitches both hind legs and ears, and returns again to her 
