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PART III.
THE DISEASES OF SHEEP.
The diseases of sheep, says Walley, are usually caused by an altered condition of the blood, namely, deficiency in quantity, excess of normal elements, impoverishment and degradation, depraved condition, &c. Inbreeding is a predisposing cause of disease. The rams should be changed every year or two. Fatigue, clipping, and ex posure to cold wind (sufficient to cause a chill) induce congestion of the lungs. Sheep can stand almost any degree of cold alone, but they cannot stand cold and wet combined. This is especially true of lambs. Cold and moisture arrest the secretion of the yolk or greasy matter exuded by the skin, rendering the wool dry and harsh instead of ‘ greasy.
Avoid overfeeding and sudden changes of food and management. Also the procreative exhaustion of the rams and the excessive excitement of the ewes. Also filthy, decaying, moldy, or frosted (frozen) food and im pure water. Also overforcing the fattening process, es pecially with such foods as Waterloo cake, cotton cake, turnips, and swedes.
The sheep, like the ox, has four stomachs. The fourth is the true digestive stomach. This complicated digestive
296 THE DISEASES OF SHEEP.
apparatus should be aided, when necessary, by health- giving foods, such as oats (crushed preferred), bran, crushed linseed, and ground malt. Corn, beans, peas, and wheat are good when given in their proper place and quantity. Also thousand headed or other cabbage. Mut ton grown on ling and heather is sweeter and more sat isfying than that of trough or manger-fed sheep. Tur nips and swedes alone are very bad, especially when filthy. They produce flesh but no blood.
" I have seen sheep, especially lambing ewes, that have been fed ad libitum on swedes, without any complemen tary food, die in dozens, their carcasses laden with fat, but not a teacupful of blood in the veins of any of them. In the case of breeding ewes, I have seen the recently born lambs the subjects of internal dropsies. Again, I have seen ewes fed in the same way, on swedes which have been forced with artificial manures, especially phos- phatic manure, die in dozens from milk fever (so called in some districts), while their lambs have succumbed to joint- ill. Prof. Robertson says he has, by way of experiment, produced these diseases at will.” (Walley.)
THRUSH OR APHTHA
Has a benign as well as a malignant form. The benign form usually attacks lambs, and the malignant may be communicated to them by the milk. Both forms are at tributed to a fungus, the benign to that known as ' oidi- um albicans.' The benign is short-lived. It is character ized by a whitish, furred eruption in the mouth, with a little fever and diarrhea.
The malignant form not only has eruptions in the mouth, but also on the lips and about the body, with bleeding ulceration, diarrhea, or dysentery, and even pu trefactive fever and abscesses about the head and lungs, constituting pyæmia (purulent contamination of the blood).
Remedy.—Alum, borax, sulphurous acid, chlorine, or
ERYTHEMA, ECZEMA, CARBUNCLE. 297
potassium chlorate solutions locally. Electuaries (confec tions) of oxymel, glycerine, and water, and glyceride of starch. Laxatives, salines, hydrargyrum cum creta for gastric disorder. Tonics. Soft, digestible food. For doses, see pages 13 to 29.
ERYTHEMA
Is described on pages 157 and 274. If the lambs are allowed to suck, protect the teats with a gutta-percha shield ; otherwise they may become very sore. If they do become sore, place the ewes on a scanty pasture apart from the lambs. Rub the teats with boric or salicylic acid ointment night and morning. Cleanse first if nec essary.
ECZEMA OF THE LIPS
Is usually attributed to the irritation of fine particles of sand or gravel, aggravated by long-continued wet, but in some instances it may be caused by indigestion or stomach irritation, and probably the irritating action of pollen grain. It is a mild affection, consisting of crops of small bladders on the lips, with some local inflamma tion and slight fever. If neglected and its cause be un- removed, serious results may follow. The lips become greatly swollen, misshaped, and tender, the skin chapped and ulcerated. Small abscesses form along the side of the face and in the lungs, followed by suppuration of the neck glands. Flesh useless.
Remedy.—Change the pasture, give a little laxative medicine, and smear some protective agent, such as car- bolized lard, over the lips.
CARBUNCLE
Is lees frequent than eczema, but is common in lambs, especially during the autumn months. It is often called ‘ hair and hoof and ‘orf.' Like eczema, it is usually of a mild character. If neglected, it may lead to deep-
298 THE DISEASES OF SHEEP.
seated inflammation, ultimately causing death by exhaus tion or blood poisoning. Its cause is not known, but it may be due to a depraved condition of the blood, as the result of injudicious management, to irritation of the stomach and bowels, to a microscopic parasite acting lo cally, or to a parasitic product, such as ergot, acting sys- temically.
The disease first appears as a painful, circumscribed swelling on the coronet or lip, or both. Ulceration of the skin results, and an angry looking sore, associated with considerable thickening of the surrounding tissues, is formed. If properly treated, this sore quickly heals, but if irritated by dirt or otherwise, it takes on unhealthy action, spreads, and becomes very intractable. Treat as for eczema.
ECTHYMA,
Consisting of small, pointed, pustular eruptions, occurs often in the summer time. It causes very little general disturbance, and is of little importance except for the
Fig. 136. Ecthyma. Compare with figures 137, 138 (opposite page.)
fact that it may possibly be mistaken for sheep-pox, a very serious disease. The pustules dry up without leav ing a scar. The disease is sometimes called acne.
See pages 163, 279 for further information concerning this disease,
FORMS AND STAGES OF SHEEP-POX. 299
SHEEP-POX (VARIOLA OVINÆ),
Is â contagious, infectious, and eruptive disease, anal ogous to smallpox and cow-pox ; said to depend on a
Fig. 137. Sheep-pox. a, the eruptive stage, b, the pustular stage.
Fig. 138. The Confluent Form (union of two or more pustules).
microbe ; runs a definite course, and as a rule occurs but once,
300
THE DISEASES OF SHEEP.
There is both a benign and a malignant form. The malignant form never produces vesicles ; the sheep lose their eyes ; the wool falls off ; the skin cracks in a zig- zag manner, and the nostrils become filled with a fetid discharge. In the benign form genuine vesicles appear, which, after the scabs fall, leave pits in the skin, on which the wool never grows again.
According to Prof. Simonds, the disease is not com municable to the cow or to children. Saccho, however, says that ' ovination ' is protective against smallpox.
Symptoms.—In 36 to 48 hours temperature rises to 105°, or even 107 or 108°; skin dotted with bright red pimples ; eyes bloodshot, and in severe cases the lids are swollen and tears trickle down the face ; breathing quick and short ; mucous discharge from nostrils, &c.
Remedy.—Isolate healthy and watch them. Good nursing. Gentle aperients ; salines. Tonics ; stimulants ; nutritive, digestible food for convalescents. Inoculation of healthy sheep produces a rather severe and contagious form of the disease.
MALIGNANT CATARRH
Is often very destructive to hill sheep, especially in bad seasons. It is very intractable. Beginning apparently as a simple cold, it is soon followed by destructive - inflam mation and ulceration of the lining of the nostrils ; these in turn by abscesses in the glands of the face and throat ; also in the lungs, and, if the animal lives long enough, by wasting and diarrhea. The disease is probably caused by a micrococcus. (Walley.)
Sheep sometimes suffer from simple catarrh, laryngitis, and bronchitis. (See pages 70, 82, 258 &c.) Verminous bronchitis is caused by worms in the air tubes. (See husk.)
A MANGE PARASITE. 301
MANGE, SCABIES, OR SCAB
Is caused by a parasite (Psoroptes ovis). The parasites cause great irritation and itching. Sheep will rub them selves against anything. To make sure as to the para-
Fig. 139. The mite or acarus known as Dermatodectes ovis. Magnified.
sites, remove a little scurf and examine with a pocket lens or microscope. If neglected the parasifces will spread to a whole flock and cause great loss.
Remedy.—Dress with corrosive sublimate, 1 part, com mon salt, 8 parts, water, 500 parts. Decoction of tobac co, 1 part, water, 40 parts. Stavesacre decoction—1 part
302 THE DISEASES OF SHEEP.
to 40 of water—with half of which shake up when using 1 part each of wood tar oil and potassium carbonate. Any of the foregoing, or sulphur, 1 oz.. lard, 1 oz.
Fig. 140. The mite or acarus known as Sarcoptes ovis, from beneath. Magnified. Compare with Fig. 141, opposite page.
In all bad cases the sheep should be bare shorn and the affected parts well soaked with potash lye before the insecticide is applied. Isolate affected sheep and wash
ANOTHER MANGE PARASITE. 303
racks, rubbing posts. &c., with corrosive sublimate solu tion.
Fig. 141. Same from above.
FOOT-ROT
Is inflammation and ulceration affecting various struc tures of the foot, and is frequently contagious. (1) Abra sion of horn ; inflammation of secreting surfaces of sole or walls, beginning below and extending upward. (2) In flammation of interdigital structures, with burrowing of discharges under the horn of inner walls of digits, be ginning above and extending downward. The latter is the more contagious form.
304
THE DISEASES OF SHEEP.
Williams says the disease is not contagious. Remedy.—Remove diseased horn and any irritating foreign bodies. Dress with mercuric nitrate solution, zinc
Fig. 142. Confirmed stage of the first form of Foot-Rot.
Fig. 143. The condition of the internal wall of the digit in an early stage of the disease.
chloride, carbolic acid, tar oils, or silver nitrate, the strength of the dressings being regulated according to circumstances. Gutta-percha varnish may be sometimes usefully applied over dressing. Walk sheep through wood
THE DEADLY FLUKE WORM.
305
en trough containing 1 lb. each of arsenic and sodium carbonate and 50 gallons of water ; or, 1 part copper sul phate to 50 parts of water. Avoid beans and other forc ing food. Transfer flock to dry, upland pastures.
Fig. 144. Foot four weeks after first or Fig. 145. Bandage for
febrile stage. Foot-Rot.
ROT OR FLUKE DISEASE
Is caused by a flat worm known as the fluke (Distoma hepaticum or Fasciola hepaticum), which inhabits the bile ducts of the liver, causing extensive inflammation, from which result various organic changes, such as har dening and softening, leading in the end to destruction of its function and, as a result, wasting, lack of blood, dropsy, diarrhea, and death from exhaustion. When cold nights follow warm days, many die from congestion of the lungs as the result of chill.
The worm is seldom more than an inch in length. It is bisexual (hermaphrodite), and is propagated by eggs, which are passed out with the bile and the dung in
306
THE DISEASES OF SHEEP.
countless numbers, often lodging on the grass. If they fall on dry soil, they are harmless ; if on wet soil, the disease is propagated to other sheep. The egg is oval in shape, has a lid at one extremity, and contains an em bryo which, when matured, is provided with delicate, hair-like processes known as cilia. The lid is lifted, al lowing the embryo to escape. The latter at once begins to search for a particular snail (the Limnus truncatulus), whose body it penetrates by the aid of a boring appara tus. It undergoes a series of wonderful changes in form, passing through several generations, until a tadpole-like creature is produced. Emerging, it encysts itself in the lower part of the blades of grass, from whence sheep pick it up in grazing.
Sheep are more susceptible to rot than other animals simply because they bite closer. A hog-mouthed sheep escapes ; but many cattle and sometimes, in wet seasons, colts also suffer.
Rot is never seen on dry lands, nor on salt marshes ; and even rotting grounds are safe after a frost.
Prevention.—Drain, and thereby kill the snails ; salt the pastures, and thereby kill both the snails and embryo worms ; slaughter sheep, mixing their excrements with lime or salt ; destroy the liyer, intestines, &c., totally. Isolate sound sheep.
The disease can be detected early by the sheep thriv ing very rapidly and by the yellow tinge of the membrane of the eye.
Remedy.—Concentrated, dry food. Common salt and ferrous sulphate dissolved in water, given daily, mixed with bran or crushed grain. Slaughter all marketable sheep.
For doses of .‘furrous sulphate’ (sulphate of iron), see page 21.
REMEDY FOR DIARRHEA AND DYSENTERY. 307
DIARRHEA
In the lamb is caused by unwholesome milk, cold, grass (the sudden change from milk to grass), &c.. In severe cases death sometimes results in 24 hours. Full-grown sheep also suffer, especially when the new grass comes on in the spring.
Remedy.—Prepared chalk, 1 oz., powdered catechu, ½ oz., powdered ginger, 2 drams, powdered opium, ½ dram, peppermint water, ½ pint; 1 to 2 tablespoonfuls morning and night. A teaspoonful of laudanum and a tablespoon- ful of rum or gin, well mixed, is good; repeated in half doses if needed. Also 1½ dram alum in half pint warm water.
DYSENTERY
Usually appears in hot weather, with excess of moisture, on rank pastures, and on overstocked and consequently befouled pastures; in dry summers on lands having stagnant pools of water, with rank growth of grass around their borders.
The exact nature of the disease has not been deter mined yet even in man, but it is believed to be caused by a fungus. Shepherds entertain such positive views as to its contagiousness as to lead them to smear tar on the nose. They had better smear it on the skin under the tail, or remove the sheep from the contaminated pastures and apply a top dressing of lime or salt.
Remedy.—If there is any prospect of cure, give an ounce of castor oil with about 30 drops of laudanum in a little gruel ; repeat if necessary, or give an astringent as for diarrhea. Cleanse with warm water and carbolic acid soap. Dress any sores with carbolic or salicylic acid, or lard mixed with a few drops of spirit of tar. Tempt appetite with well compounded gruel.
308 THE DISEASES OF SHEEP.
CARBUNCULAR FEVER (ANTHRAX),
Is caused, says Walley, by a minute, staff-like organism, termed, from its shape, a bacillus, and belonging to the class of fission (generative) fungi. It is, on the whole, the largest of this class of fungi found in animals, and in the blood streams and tissues multiplies only by fission ; but when cultivated in proper media, or, what is of more importance to farmers, when it gains access to suitable soils, it multiplies rapidly by spores, which by various agencies find their way on to vegetables grown on such soils and into drinking water, and produce the disease in other animals that may partake of the contaminated food and water.
These organisms, and particularly their spores, possess a wonderful vitality, and retain their destructive proper ties for a very considerable period in the earth. Hence the necessity of utterly destroying every part of the car cass, the blood, and internal organs of animals which have died of the disease.
The disease is communicable to man, and is known un der various designations in many parts of the world. There is reason to believe that it may be disseminated by artificial manures, and sometimes even by artificial food, as it often appears in situations where it has never been seen before.
Anthrax, which, owing to the dark color of the local lesions, is compared to a burning coal, is the most deadly disease of its class. So-called ‘ red braxy ' is often noth ing more or less than anthrax.
' Blackleg ' is a disease somewhat allied to anthrax, but the organism that produces it is of a rather different character, and it is much less virulent.
Remedy.—Free scarification of limited external swell ings and introduction of antiseptics seem to arrest some slight cases. Intravenous injection of virus usually in-
WATERY BRAIN CYSTS.
309
sures immunity from attack. Setons produce a condition of the body less favorable to development of micro-organ isms. Careful dietary. Removal from exposed, undrained, infected grazings. Compare above article with pages 225, 226.
STURDY, GID, TURNSICK,
Also known as turnside, goggles, vertigo, &c, is due to a bladder worm in the brain. It is called sturdy because the animal is stupid. A synonymous term in Norfolk, England, is ‘ dunt.’ If the sheep turns to one side or round and round, it is known as turnsick, gid, &c., while, owing to peculiarities of gait, sheep are said to be sailors, trotters, or swervers. The disease is peculiar to cattle also.
Fig. 146. Brain of sheep, showing hyda- tids or tapeworm cysts.
Fig 147. Cyst, showing em bryo worms in various stages development.
The bladder worm or hydatid is the immature form of one of the tapeworms of the dog ; possibly also the fox. It is known as the many-headed hydatid. Sheep become the victims of it by swallowing the eggs of the tapeworm while grazing. The embryo finds its way to the brain either by the circulation or by boring, and sometimes it gains access to the spinal cord, in the neck, and causes the condition known as thorter-ill.
310
THE DISEASES OF SHEEP.
Prevention consists in destroying the brain instead of throwing it to the dogs. Keep dogs as free from tape worms as possible.
Fig. 148. Large conic Trephine on handle ; small conic on right ; cyl- indric on left.
Remedy.—Trephine ; remove by trocar. But it is better to kill the animal as soon as it shows symptoms of the disease, and make the best of it.
HOOSE OR HUSK,
Scientifically known as verminous bronchitis, a parasitic disease of lambs and calves, is caused by a round worm (Strongylus Alarms), which when mature resembles a piece of white thread. The female, which is larger than the male, is about l½ to 2 inches long. It inhabits the wind pipe and bronchial tubes, but its embryos gain access to the deeper parts of the lungs, causing much irritation and patchy inflammation. The development of the worm is not understood. One thing, however, is certain—salt spread over the contaminated pastures is a preventive. Drainage is also useful. Destroy the lungs instead of feeding them to either people or cats. Cooking, however, kills the worms.
REMEDY FOR WORMS.
311
Many sheep suffering from hoose die from debility in duced by diarrhea. Others die from suffocation, and many from congestion of the lungs, if exposed to a chill. Yel lowish, millet-seed-like knots are found in the lungs of thousands of slaughtered sheep. They have often been mistaken for tubercle (consumption), but the microscope reveals the embryonic parasite in their interior.
Remedy.—Oil of turpentine, given in oil, milk, or lime water ; it is still more prompt and effectual when injected into the trachea. Sulphurous or chlorine inha lations ; spirit of chloroform, swallowed. Liberal, concen trated dietary. Isolate healthy sheep.
For doses, see pages 13 to 29.
ANOTHER WORM.
Another round worm, the twisted strongyle (Strongy- lus contortus), is often the cause of great loss among sheep. It is small, resembles a piece of red thread, and clings, by aid of barbs, to the membrane of the fourth stomach. It causes inflammation, diarrhea, wasting, and death. It is most seen on old pasture land, where there is plenty of fog for cover. Hence the necessity of remov ing the fog from such pastures by burning and by chain harrows. Top dressing with lime or salt should also be tried.
Remedy.—Chabert's oil, 1 part, oil turpentine, 3 parts. Kamala in doses of ½ to 1 dram or more, given in thick gruel or molasses. Potassium picrate, 2 to 10 grains daily in linseed mucilage.
The only tapeworm of importance found in the sheep is the ‘ tænia expansa.' But it is questionable if it does much harm. It is seldom found unassociated with other parasites.
312
THE DISEASES OF SHEEP.
JOINT-ILL (ARTHRITIS),
Except as a purely sporadic disease, is due to a com bination of two causes—(1) a depraved or impoverished condition of the mother's blood—nearly always, in my experience, brought about by injudicious management— whereby the milk contracts deleterious properties ; (2) the combined effects of cold and wet. In some cases the actual cause is inflammation of the umbilical (navel) vein, as a result of which abscesses form in the liver. Suppu- rative inflammation of the joints follows. The probable primary cause of the disease is a micrococcus. (Walley.)
Lambs from two to five weeks old are very liable to the disorder. They are often stiff all over before the swellings appear. Sometimes they crawl on their knees. Sometimes they are prostrate. Usually they either die or become incurably lame and worthless.
Remedy.—Keep warm and dry. Mild purges if cos tive. Cordial medicine in hot gruel. Liniment : Oil of turpentine, 8 oz., strong solution of ammonia, 3 oz., soft soap, 4 oz.; digest, shake at intervals, adding water to make 2 quarts in all. Rub once or twice daily.
RHEUMATISM
Is the same in sheep as in other animals. Treat the same.
NAVEL-ILL OR NAVEL-POCKING
Is the result (1) of a depraved condition of the moth- er's system ; (2) the action of poisonous germs on the clot of blood which is always found in the umbilical vein of newly born animals. If the system is healthy, no in jury is caused by septic or poisonous organisms ; other wise the vitiated blood acts as pabulum for their devel opment. Septic, sometimes erysipelatous, inflammation is set up, the products of which becoming absorbed, cause putrefactive inflammation of the joints, especially those
TREATMENT OF NAVEL-ILL.
313
of the hind limbs. In some cases, however, the inflam mation extends along the cellular tissue to the fore legs in a forward direction and to the abdomen, thighs, and hind legs in a backward direction, the parts soon becom ing of a black or purple hue from mortification.
In both joint-ill and navel-ill the condition of the mother's blood should be improved, and the navel cord of the lamb should be tied with a silk or cotton ligature and dressed with an antiseptic lotion or liniment imme diately after birth. (Walley.)
Aperients or neutral salts, such as sulphite or the sa- licylate of sodium, for ewes as well as lambs. Feed ewes very moderately.
LAMBING OR MILK FEVER (METRITIS),
Is probably caused by blood poisoning, blood poisoning being caused by germs called micrococci. The germs may be communicated from ewe to ewe by means of the blood on the hands of shepherds engaged in delivering ewes. Hence the necessity of disinfecting or washing the hands with 1 part of carbolic acid to 50 of water, or even
314 THE DISEASES OF SHEEP.
with carbolic soap ; or 3 grains permanganate of potassi um to 1 oz. of water. The vagina of all infected ewes should also be washed, and the sick separated from the well. The disease is due sometimes perhaps to wounds and the retention and decomposition of the afterbirth.
Remedy.—Siphon or syringe uterus with tepid water or antiseptic. Remove remnants of placenta or blood clots ; render any wounds aseptic (non-poisonous). Where walls of uterus are dilated or flaccid, inject solution of ergot and belladonna tincture. Rugs wrung out of hot water over loins and abdomen. Sulpho-carbolates, sul phites, hydronaphthol internally. If bowels are torpid, give half dose physic with ginger, gentian and molasses, and promote effect by laxative injections. Remove urine by catheter. Generous diet. Tonics, stimulants.
For doses, see pages 13 to 29.
ABORTION, AFTER-PAINS, AND GARGET
Are much the same in ewes as in cows. (See pages 289-291.) Ewes are more easily frightened than cows, and they are much oftener injured in casting. They should not be cast when pregnant, nor be roughly used. They should be carefully watched about the middle period of gestation. (The full period of gestation is about 150 days.) They should not be overfed and fattened just be fore lambing, for this is one of the chief causes of after- pains.
In garget (sore udder), 3 or 4 ounces of Epsom salt may be necessary, and may be repeated. Foment with warm water and rub with ointment, &c., as for cows.
LOUPING-ILL OR TREMBLING,
Says Williams, entails great loss among hill sheep every year. It has been described as a species of ergot intoxi cation or nervous excitement. There is sometimes squint ing, at other times convulsive movements of the eyes.
SHEEP TICKS.
315
There are also convulsive movements of the body and legs, and more or less increase of fluid in the spinal cord. Veterinarians are not agreed as the cause of the dis ease, but as good food and pure water are preventives of it, bad food and impure water must be predisposing causes of it.
Fig. 149. Sheep Tick.
Louping-ill is only seen on land infested with ticks. Ticks are the cause of the disease. It is possible, how ever, to have land infested with ticks and yet have sheep free of louping-ill, as all ticks do not seem to contain disease germs.
Improve moors and pastures where it exists. The cure is uncertain, but many sheep recover.
Fig. 150. Louping-Ill or Hydro-Rachitis.
316 THE DISEASES OF SHEEP.
MEASLES
Which consists of red, irregular spots on the chest,
Fig. 151. Measles in pork.
Fig. 152. Same, highly magnified.
Fig. 153. Slice of roasted sirloin beef.
a, measles divided by knife into
nearly equal parts.
Fig. 154. Measle or Bladder Worm of beef. Magnified.
thighs, head, and sides, is preceded by slight febrile symptoms, sneezing, coughing, swelling in the region of
MEASLES TRANSMITTED BY INOCULATION. 317
the head, discharge from the nostrils, hot mouth, dry skin, constipation, loss of appetite, &c. The skin has a peculiar odor. The red spots are hard in the center ; if pressed, they appear white for a time. They seem to do good, for in about 24 hours after their appearance the febrile symptoms and swelling of the head subside. The spots become brownish in four or five days, and disap pear in about five days more. The skin then peels off. Some symptoms of catarrh continue. In fatal cases diar rhea sets in about the ninth day.
We now know that mutton and beef as well as pork may become measled. These three kinds of measles are perfectly distinct from each other, and are derived from different species of tapeworm. (Williams.)
The disease can be transmitted by inoculation. Out of 103 animals inoculated by way of experiment, only 1 died.
Give plenty of water and niter to lick.
HOVEN
Is practically the same in sheep as in cattle (page 238).
Remedy.—Half a pint of linseed oil ; if no relief fol lows in 2 or 3 hours, give ½ oz. aromatic spirit of am monia in a pint of warm water, or about 6 oz. of brandy
Fig. 155. Trocars.
or whisky, slightly diluted with warm water. Trocar if necessary, and retain canula as long as there are signs of distress.
318 THE DISEASES OF SHEEP.
TETANUS (LOCK-JAW),
Is about the same in sheep as in horses and cattle, and should be treated the same. The animal may die in twelve hours. Exposure to cold, especially after shearing, is con ducive of the disease.
Keep warm and quiet. Give gruel, to which add a little gin. Castor oil or Epsom salt ; repeated if necessary. (See pages 53 and 234.)
RABIES
Kills sheep in from three to seven weeks. It develops itself in from two to four weeks after the bite, but it may remain dormant till the eleventh week. The sheep gradually grow sick. Sometimes they die of paralysis, at
other times of convulsions. They have great thirst, but no fear of water ; become furious and fight among them selves, but do not bite mankind. (See page 50.)
SHEEP BOT-FLIES
Are a little larger than ordinary house-flies. They are of an ashy gray color. They deposit their eggs in the nostrils of sheep during July and August, where, if not expelled, they remain till spring. Being then full-grown,
REMEDIES FOR BOT-FLIES, RED WATER, ETC. 319
they fall to the ground and become pupæ. The pupæ- cases open in summer and they are freed. They deposit their eggs and live till fall. The maggots penetrate to the sinuses and sometimes even to the brain.
Remedy.—Snuff, solution of common salt, tobacco in fusion, diluted vinegar, or a weak solution of turpentine may be injected into the nose. Many flies will be expelled by sneezing. If any remain in the sinuses, trephine and syringe with tepid water containing a small proportion of carbolic acid.
RED WATER
Kills sheep and lambs as well as cattle. (See page 270.) If the disease is discovered in time, slaughter for food. It is claimed that the disease is due to a lack of iron in the system. Whether true or not, salt of iron seems to be useful. Give 15 grains of sulphate of iron.
OPHTHALMIA (Inflamed Eyes),
Is frequent and sometimes severe in sheep. As a rule it is the same as in the horse (page 136), but it has special features. One of these is where the eyelids ad here to the eyeball, common but not confined to sheep suffering with scab. Shepherds separate the lid from the ball by means of a thin, hard, and polished piece of wood, wash with a decoction of mallows or poppyheads, and sometimes rub in a little oil.
Sometimes the disease is epizootic—among cattle as well as sheep. This form is known as ‘ the blind,' and is pe culiar to young sheep, especially when exposed. It is dangerous, besides which the blind animal is liable to fall over a precipice. Apparently it is due to exposure to cold, but it may possibly be due to a micro-organism. It is highly infectious.
Remedy.—Dark, well ventilated shed ; nutritious food, with a lump of rock salt in trough. Tar or ointment of
320 THE DISEASES OF SHEEP.
salicylic acid around margin of eye, renewed in four days. Rub with a mixture of castor oil and corrosive sublimate, or blow, with quill, salt dried by heating into the eye.
In diseases of the eyes, in either sheep or cattle, it is better, when practicable, to fatten and slaughter than to waste time and money in treatment, especially in such diseases as amaurosis (glass-eye), glaucoma, &c.
NON-SECRETION OF MILK (AGALACTIA),
When not depending on any disease nor on wasting of the udder, may usually be restored, or partially restored, by the use of nutritious food and the following draft : Powdered aniseed, 2 oz., powdered gentian, 2 oz., in a pint of warm water or beer, 2 or 3 times daily.
The ears of sheep require to be kept clean, as they are liable to inflammation from dirt and maggots. The head is carried lower than usual, often a little to one side, and is occasionally shaken.
Fractured and Broken Limbs are sometimes cura ble, but unless the sheep is very valuable, it is cheaper to slaughter.
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