566 
MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 
mountain land, are seldom subject to this malady. On the 
contrary, it has been ascertained that those fed on low, wet 
pastures are liable to be attacked by this complaint. Bad 
food has also been noticed to produce the rot. It has been 
especially remarked to affect sheep brought from hill-pas¬ 
tures to those which are damp and luxuriant, for the sake of 
speedily fattening them. It is quite evident that the con¬ 
stitution of the sheep is adapted to pasturage of a dry, 
rather than of a succulent nature ; and experience has 
shown, that in mountain districts the rot is comparatively of 
rare occurrence. Sheep which are afflicted with this dis¬ 
ease suddenly lose condition, even although they feed with 
their accustomed appetite and regularity. It is an ascer¬ 
tained fact, that rank grass invariably produces the rot in 
sheep, and seems to act as a kind of poison to them. The 
effluvia arising from marshy ground in summer is said to 
generate this complaint. But whether the exhalations or 
the moist rank food is the cause of it, is not yet known to a 
certainty. One fact, however, is certain, namely, that where 
sheep feed on salt-marshes, the complaint never occurs; and 
in Lincolnshire sheep pastured in such localities are uni¬ 
formly well fed, and in most excellent condition, and bring 
high prices. 
B.emedies. —Numerous prescriptions have been given for 
the cure of this destructive complaint. But when taken at 
first, it is comparatively cured without much difficulty. The 
first object is to rid the stomach and intestines of their per¬ 
nicious contents, by administering purgative medicines ; for 
which purpose let the following laxative be given, by means 
of an elastic tube, with a funnel-shaped cup at the extre¬ 
mity :— 
Epsom salts ... 2 ounces, 
Warm water . . 1^ gill. 
