" fennel seed, half an ounce.
Mix. Half a table-spoonful may be given daily in warm water, or it may be mixed in the food.
_Another._
Powdered gentian, 1 ounce.
" poplar bark, 2 ounces.
" aniseed, half an ounce.
Mix, and give as above.
If the bowels are inactive, give a wine-gla.s.s of linseed oil.
The animal should be kept free from all annoyance by dogs, &c.; for fear indirectly influences the stomach through the pneumogastric nerves, by which the secretion of the gastric juice is arrested, and an immediate check is thus given to the process of digestion. For the same reason, medicine should always be given in the food, if possible. In cases of great prostration, accompanied with loss of appet.i.te, much valuable time would be lost. In such cases, we must have recourse to the bottle.
FOOT ROT.
When a sheep is observed to be lame, and, upon examination, matter can be discovered, then pare away the hoof, and make a slight puncture, so that the matter may escape; then wash the foot with the following antiseptic lotion:--
Pyroligneous acid, 2 ounces.
Water, 3 ounces.
Suppose that, on examination, the feet have a fetid odor; then apply the following:--
Vinegar, half a pint.
Common salt, 1 table-spoonful.
Water, half a pint.
Mix, and apply daily. At the same time, put the sheep in a dry place, and give a dose of the following every morning:--
Powdered bayberry bark, half an ounce.
" flaxseed, 2 pounds.
" sulphur, 1 ounce.
" charcoal, 1 ounce.
" sa.s.safras, 1 ounce.
Mix. A handful to be given in the food twice a day.
_Remarks._--Foot rot is generally considered a local disease; yet should it be neglected, or maltreated, the general system will share in the local derangement.
ROT.
The progress of this disease is generally very slow, and a person unaccustomed to the management of sheep would find some difficulty in recognizing it. A practical eye would distinguish it, even at a distance. The disease is known by one or more of the following symptoms: The animal often remains behind the flock, shaking its head, with its ears depressed; it allows itself to be seized, without any resistance.
The eye is dull and watery; the eyelids are swollen; the lips, gums, and palate have a pale tint; the skin, which is of a yellowish white, appears puffed, and retains the impression; the wool loses its brightness, and is easily torn off; the urine is high colored, and the excrement soft. As the disease progresses, there is loss of appet.i.te, great thirst, general emaciation, &c.
The indications are, to improve the secretions, vitalize the blood, and sustain the living powers. For which purpose, take
Powdered charcoal, 2 ounces.
" ginger, 1 ounce.
" golden seal, 1 ounce.
Oatmeal, 1 pound.
Mix. Feed to each animal a handful per day, unless rumination shall have ceased; then omit the oatmeal, and give a tea-spoonful of the mixed ingredients, in half a pint of hyssop, or horsemint tea. Continue as occasion may require.
The food should be boiled, if possible. The best kind, especially in the latter stages of rot, is, equal parts of linseed and ground corn.
If the urine is high colored, and the animal is thirsty, give an occasional drink of
Cleavers, (_galium aparine_,) 2 ounces.
Boiling water, 2 quarts.
When cold, strain. Dose, one pint. To be repeated, if necessary.
EPILEPSY.
This is somewhat different from staggers, as the animal does not remain quietly on the ground, but it suffers from convulsions, it kicks, rolls its eyes, grinds its teeth, &c. The duration of the fit varies much, sometimes it terminates at the expiration of a few minutes; at other times, a quarter of an hour elapses before it is perfectly conscious. In this malady, there is a loss of equilibrium between the nervous and muscular systems, which may arise from hydatids in the brain, offering mechanical obstructions to the conducting power of the nerves. This malady may attack animals in apparently good health. We frequently see children attacked with epilepsy (fits) without any apparent cause, and when they are in good flesh.
The symptoms are not considered dangerous, except by their frequent repet.i.tion.
The following may be given with a view of equalizing the circulation and nervous action:--
a.s.safoetida, one third of a tea-spoonful.
Gruel made from slippery elm, 1 pint.
Mix, while hot. Repeat the dose every other day. Make some change in the food. Thus, if the animal has been fed on green fodder for any length of time, let it have a few meals of shorts, meal, linseed, &c. The water must be of the best quality.
Suppose the animal to be in poor condition; then combine tonics and alteratives in the following form:--
a.s.safoetida, 1 tea-spoonful.
Powdered golden seal, 1 ounce.
" slippery elm, 2 ounces.
Oatmeal, 1 pound.
Mix thoroughly, and divide into eight equal parts. A powder to be given every morning.