AMONG SHEEP IN NEW SOUTH WALKS. 
547 
in which an ounce of Epsom salts has been dissolved, may be 
administered, and the lukewarm gruel repeated occasionally. 
The bleeding may be either topical or general ; the latter would 
probably be most advisable, as the quantity abstracted can be 
regulated when taken from the jugular vein, whereas by topical 
bleeding a sufficient quantity cannot always be abstracted in a 
sufficiently short space of time. The extent of bleeding must 
in all cases be regulated by the severity of the disease, or the 
capabilities of the animal to suffer depletion. The abstraction of 
a small quantity of blood in an early stage of the disease, will 
probably mitigate the severe symptoms immediately ; for on 
account of the great depression of strength, and dulness of the 
sensorial powers, it would be advisable, if possible, not to bleed 
largely, and perhaps occasion might not be required to draw 
blood a second time. Warm gruel should be repeated occa- 
sionally ; and gentle exercise for the hospital flock will also be 
productive of benefit to them. 
In preference, however, to the administration of any saline 
purgatives, turning the sick flock into a wheat paddock will 
be productive of the same aperient effect, and prove of more 
benefit to the sheep. I attribute the comparatively trifling loss 
among the sheep attacked by this epidemic at the station at 
Benbengalow, to the sheep being taken and treated, in the first 
stage of the disease, in the manner I have just recommended : 
the deaths which did occur were principally among those that 
were not seen until the disease had advanced beyond the second 
stage. 
The water gruel may be composed of one pound and a half of 
flour, half a pound of sugar, and thirty pints of water boiled, 
and given lukewarm. As a purgative, in the absence of green 
food, as before recommended, one ounce of Epsom salts may be 
administered internally, combined with a drachm of nitre in a 
pint of water gruel, given lukewarm ; and the water gruel may 
be repeated three times daily afterwards. 
I should recommend the overseers, on the appearance of this 
epidemic among their flocks, to frequently inspect all their sheep, 
and, noting the first symptoms which appear in this epidemic, 
immediately separate the diseased from the healthy sheep. This 
ought to be done at least three or four times daily, and it would 
enable remedies to be employed in time, that would materially 
diminish the mortality in the flocks, and would be attended with 
less trouble if there should be a want of men. The treatment of 
the disease will be much aided by the sick sheep being folded in 
warm, dry, and sheltered situations, and having young green 
food, which is not only a valuable remedy when aperients are 
