Abstract Report on Rot in Sheep. 
127 
the reproduction of the red cells of the blood. In all diseases, 
therefore, in Avhich tliere is a diminished power of producing 
red cells, the sulphate of iron is a valuable remedy. 
Stomachics or carminatives are likewise required ; of which 
medicaments preference is given to aniseed in this affection. 
A good compound of these several medicinal agents with 
some higldj nitrogenised alimentary matters is contained in the 
following formula. Take of — 
Finely-ground oil-cake (linseed) . . ) ^^^j^ ^ 
„ pea-meal ) 
^^l* , I each 4 lbs, 
„ aniseed J 
„ sulphate of iron .. .. lib. 
Let the salt, aniseed, and sulphate of iron be mixed together 
first, and afterwards well incorporated with the cake and 
pea-meal. 
The quantity of the mixture to be given to each sheep daily 
should be half a pint to a pint, in addition to an ordinary allow- 
ance of corn or cake and hay-chaff. It may be used with advantage 
for three or four weeks in succession, but should be discontinued 
occasionally for a day or two, especially if the animals become 
affected with diarrhoea. 
By means of this kind many sheep may be either brought into, 
or kept in, such condition, as will enable the proprietor to dis- 
pose of them at a price which will considerably diminish the 
loss he would otherwise sustain. 
Rot when fully established can only be viewed, however, as 
being incurable ; but, nevertheless, the knowledge of its cause 
and nature holds out no faint hope of our being able to 
prevent it. 
In adopting preventive measures we must not lose sight of 
the well-known circumstance that sheep never take rot on 
salt marshes, although the ground is generally saturated with 
moisture. It may, however, be rightly asked, upon what does 
this immunity depend ? The answer to the question is both 
easy and satisfactory. Salt-water is destructive to the fluke- 
embryos as they escape from the eggs. These infusorial crea- 
tures belong to fresh water, and to this alone. It is here that 
they pass through their several gradations when out of the 
body to fit them for their ultimate development into flukes by 
entering the digestive organs of sheep. If flukes, however, 
should have taken up their abode in the liver prior to the sheep 
being placed on salt marshes, they are beyond the reach of 
harm. The character of the daily food will have but little 
effect on the parasites, and the disease will gradually progress 
to a fatal termination. 
