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SHEEP DISEASES
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BLACK-FACED HIGHLAND SHEEP IN THEIR NATIVE HOME
Courtesy Agricultural Digest.
VETERINARY MEDICINE SERIES No. 12 Edited by D. M. CAMPBELL
Peer DISEASES
BY
E. T. BAKER, D.V.M.
ILLUSTRATED
Chicago AMERICAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE 1916
COPYRIGHT, 1916 BY
D. M. CAMPBELL
OCT -b 1916
©c.i437982 ty /
PREFACE.
As economical producers of those prime neces- sities of civilized man, good food and good cloth- ing, sheep are destined to increase in numbers, and sheep raising to speedily attain and maintain a more important place in the animal industry of this country. Moreover, it being also a fact that of all domesticated animals sheep possess the least natural resistance to disease and particularly to parasitism, one may readily appreciate the importance of skilled veterinary service for the welfare of the sheep industry, now after more than a century’s existence in this country, only at the threshold of its development.
It is unnecessary to emphasize the need for works dealing authoritatively with disease as it occurs in sheep and its treatment. That need is acutely realized by most veterinary practitioners. It is hoped that this treatise will to a degree meet the requirements of the searcher for practi- eal information on this subject.
The major portion of the contents of this vol- ume has been gathered from the field of experi- ence and is presented solely from the viewpoint of the practitioner. To conserve the health and prevent disease among our flocks is a gigantic task, and one worthy of the highest attainments. To this task, in his limited field, have been de- voted the best efforts of the writer, throughout the greater part of his veterinary experience.
Moscow, Idaho.
September, 1916. EK. T. Baker.
CONTENTS
PAGE ALS TOL UE OS TRATIONS « siz Micke sore ead a idle cea cotteccue: anatarele) abe 13 SECTION I.
PASTURE ON, DEE REDD S)sr5.o8.c auc. oa elem fens basen ole 15
Breeds —1. The Fine Wools — Merino, Rambouillet. 2. The Medium Wools—Shropshire, Southdown, Oxford, Hampshire, Cheviot, Dorset, Suffolk. 3. The Long Wools—Leicester, Cotswold, Lincoln. 4. Lesser Known Breeds—Romney or Kent, Corriedale, Karakul, Black- faced Highland, Tunis, Persian. 5. Cvoss-bred Sheep.
SECTION IL.
BT ADMD aes Tete. 226.2 31) Livni ahha sa Sanat «ahs ae Oe arad os Aes oe ens a Skeleton; Muscular System; Digestive System; Respira- tory System; Urinary Organs; Male Genital Organs; Female Genital Organs; Circulatory System; Nervous System; Organs of Special Sense.
SECTION III. Je ST GHD TOY ey ea OPO. Sie Ee me a Neorg? Teg iene IRENA aris Uitte rele General Care; Handling; Feeding; Shepherd’s Calendar ; Care of the Ewe; Care of the Lamb; Care of the Buck.
SECTION IV.
MEDICINES AND THEIR ADMINISTRATION.............ce000% General Consideration ; Administering Medicines ; Dosage; Table of Drugs; Emergency Medicine Case; Disinfect- ants; Post Mortem Examinations.
SECTION V.
OUEE LNRROMIOUS DISHASES sa: ss. <)dii vba tiene s.de ls Canta ee ¢ 1, Anthrax. 2. Malignant Edema. 3. Blackleg. 4. Bradsot. 5. Hemorrhagic Septicemia. 6. Rinder- pest. 7. Sheep Pox. 8. Foot-and-Mouth Disease. 9. Tetanus. 10. Rabies. 11. Tuberculosis. 12. Case- ous Lymph-adenitis. 13. Actinomycosis. 14. Glanders. 15. Contagious Abortion. 16. Piroplasmosis. 17. Foot Rot. 18. Septicemia.
9
or Co
63
bod |
i
84
10 CONTENTS
SECTION VI. PAGE
DISHASES OF THE - BROOD sage. 6 ce ake sicnaro lo ete einen ene okeleoteoenens 99 1. Anemia. 2. Red Water. 3. Pining.
SECTION VII.
DISEASES; OF MbTABOLIS Mir tcc isco atetieieie cieeeremeres chalet metelleehelehe feetels 102 1. Obesity. 2. Rachitis.. 3. Wool Eating. 4. Dia- betes.
SECTION VIII. DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS.........--25-00+ee0-ee> 104 1. Hematuria. 2. Uremia. 3. Nephritis. 4. Rare and Unimportant Diseases.
SECTION IX. DISEASES OF THE CIRCULATORY ORGANS...........+-.--+-4- 106 1. Pericarditis. 2. Dropsy of the Pericardium. 3. Hypertrophy of the Heart. 4. Valvular Diseases.
SECTION X.
DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS.............2+++00- 108 1, Epistaxis. 2. Nasal Catarrh. 3. Non-Parasitic Bronchitis. 4. Japp Disease. 5. Pneumonia.
6. Pleurisy. SECTION XI.
DISHASESOF THE DIGESTIVE S¥STGME oy << cca), S\ntesmeninie = eos ers 111 1. Stomatitis. 2. Choke. 3. Bloat. 4. Impaction of the Rumen. 5. Grass Staggers. 6. Constipation.
7. Colic. 8. Diarrhea. 9. Enteritis. 10. Piles.
SECTION XII. DISEASES: OF ‘THE uLVERs.. ceeee ce ieee on elena 120 1. Icterus. 2. Hepatitis. 3. Lupinosis,
SECTION NIII. DISEASES OF! THE PERITONEUM same ciw atc coiete viernes ore chcleuche aot 121 1. Ascites. 2. Peritonitis. SECTION XIV. DISEASES OF THE BRAIN AND SPINAL CORD............--+0- 124 1. Encephalitis. 2. Apoplexy. 3. Paralysis. 4. Gid. SECTION XV.
DISEASES OF THE ORGANS OF LOCOMOTION................:. 126 l. Rheumatism.
CONTENTS 11 SECTION XVI. PAGE
NON-PARASITIC DISEASES OF THE SKIN.............0...08. 127 1. Itch. 2. Alopecia. 3. Eczema. 4. Rash. 5. Acne.
6. Ring-worm. SECTION XVII.
DISHASHS On OBSCURE, ‘ORIGIN . 202% se becca ta le elses 130 1. “Nibbling” Disease. 2. Louping-ill. 3. Big Head.
4, Pustular Eruption. SECTION XVIII.
DESPA SHS pe OHMUL ECE so ACNEES spay etouerehaleliatvtea ste ee: e 0 sai eieysncorsten el ono obs “ols 132 1. Congenital Defects. 2. Reviving “Lifeless” Lambs.
3. Retention of the Meconium. 4. Navel-ill, 5. Non- contagious Diarrhea. 6. White Scours. 7. Colic. 8. Constipation. 9. Pustular Eruption. 10. Tetanus. 11. Stomatitis.
SECTION XIX.
DUS WASH Si OR Pp DEUE SBI WWE sireiiers) tie foils ioeu cue vavona ae sheltavenuls <oietoucrs 's.2) able vaucusls 138 1. Disorders of Gestation. 2. Abortion. 3. Dystocia.
4. Decomposition of Fetus. 5. Displacement of the
Uterus. 6. Eclampsia. 7. Metritis. 8. Mammitis.
9. Abnormalities of the Milk. 10. Sterility. SECTION XX.
DISEASES OF RAMS AND WETHERS.............-002-eeeeees 146 1. Gravel. 2. Hernia. 3. Bloody Urine. 4. Impo- tence.
SECTION XXI.
BELG Sty DESMUGSEB Si) <\c af aie cheese o cme ase Dhlk xs S tagw he hele! Matte 148 1. Diseased Teeth. 2. Concussion of the Brain. 3. Ab- scesses. 4. Injuries. 5. Suturing. 6. Rumenotomy.
7. Puneture of the Bladder. 8. Fractures and Disloca- tions. 9. Amputation of the Claws. 10. Panaritium.
SECTION XXII.
LEANING 9 Tle LATS EY. OF a RR i Nee 153
A. External Parasites—1. Sheep Scab. 2. Head Seab. 3. Foot Scab. 4. Sheep Ticks. 5. Lice. 6. Mag- gots. 7. Fleas. 8. Flies.
B. Internal Parasites—l. Gid. 2. Grub in the Head. 3. Lung Worms. 4. Stomach Worms. 5. Liver
Rot. 6. Tapeworms. 7. Esophagostomum Colum- bianum. 8. Sarcosporidiosis, 9. Rare Parasites.
12
PoIsONS A.
CONTENTS
SECTION XXIII. PAGE
Mineral Potisons—l. Lead, Acute. 2. Lead, Chronic. 8. Arsenical, Acute. 4. Arsenical, Chronic. 5. Phosphorus. 6. Copper. 7. Zinc. 8. Mercury. 9. Alkali. 10. Carbolic Acid. 11. Mineral Acid. 12. Saltpeter. 13. Common Salt. 14. Epsom Salts. 15. Sheep Dip. 16. Lime. 17. Petroleum. 18. Rare Mineral Poisonings.
Vegetabie Poisons—Emergency Treatment—l. Death Camas. 2. Loco. 3. Larkspur. 4. Lupine. 5. Aconite. 6. Water Hemlock. 7. Choke Cherry. 8. Laurel. 9. Veratrum. 10. Ergot. 11. Deadly Nightshade. 12. Woody Aster. 13. Sneeze Weed. 14. Rubber Weed. 15. Strychnin. 16. Cotton Seed Meal. 17. Tobacco. 18. Digitalis. 19. Tur- pentine. 20. Rape Seed. 21. Croton Oil. 22. Hemlock. 23. Flax. 24. Horse Radish. 25. Toad- stools. 26. Potato Tops. 27. Poison Oak. 28. Kafir Corn and Sorghums. 29. Bearded Grasses. 30. Ensilage. 31. Porcupine Grass. 32. Uncom- mon Plant Poisonings.
Animal Poisons.
SECTION XXIV.
PREDATORY-ANIMALS) :.:.¢:...ccn tone nee eee
ule
Coyote. 2. Wild Cats and Lynx. 3. Wolf and
Cougar. 4. Bear. 5. Prairie Dog.
SECTION XXV.
210
QUARANTINE AND TRANSPORTATION REGULATIONS............ 219 Federal Regulations; State Regulations.
List Orn PUBLICATIONS CONSUETEDE eta e iene ane
INDEX
9). 6! 8),m 16) (© 6) 0 'e, oe, 0) 8) 6 two 6.0) bene e) « 6) eis egaltulyis) wise) 6) (elle) 0) eile) o) wel bis, betes
“oa
ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE
Blercleet cede Eo an d) 6. o-ring) os erecta ve alecere olds ous Frontispiece AIDS THAT IA: DHL OTTO) PLE cre is ONAL Re Che ee ie A a 16) merino. type-A—Champion Wwe... 2. fe ee eels wee ee ae 17 Mere, lype 5—OChampion Rain... 2.20. 6.62 6 been alee ks 17 Rae RERI NCC ON So iat oe 2a. Saba a OS aie cae a $e 2 ce Se teas saree 19 Merino, Type C—Champion Ram................6....00005. 20 Ae DOUUet——Gham pion GXAM ens ase 2 es ee oe ean ee ne Ree 21 Pomnaniner—— Champion. Wwe fens eked oe se eg bles one tes 21 Je HEADSITL <7 dene es SAIS, CACO A eR Ae aT 23 Pan ee —— AAPG TE EGAN 30 oes fn seta arses Satan boven 25 Shropshire—Champion Ewe .....-:.........+... By Seba nails 25 MENT MeO UATEN ID OUMUL CTS tor ateveyc ales) a. a)n n\n, satiesowtanrs late piel ekolebe) aie ears oes 27 Typical Western Sheep Owner’s Home Twenty Years Ago..... 28 Homes Like this are the Rule Among the Sheep Men Now.... 28 Ripe IC OMENO OWI NuAHO yc cola c's « Geiss oS Se eheare oe cee eae 29 Ry OLGA SOUbndowmn “EWes! oo... . - oo actemw acetate lel dinleule Srecn efi ee 29 eee MMVVEUHEL sete ets). <tik ine steels eet Siam Sears es Shuler 31 POEMS eR eee MIN IC ce TEN) 5s FPF s ove ake, «a pis NS onoe teh PO le 32 B@siord=—Champion Ram o.oo. ci sk ie Gee al Dec wees. 33 Passe Rl Ot LGM MONE. el valor edie ewe MNase cece h 4 oe Bite 33 SHeviOt—— any ANG » By Wins st .o5-)arseje dist tccemdteeiele shows aiamian ccewe e erae OD WMorsetyed joie foc Biche ene tS hn CRTC ACERS SO CRE Pao are aa a 36 Melis Cal MANIC CGS MEODienctsise- cte.akateoats < sie hat where Soe Shere Ha tod ie ses 36 Sap ucean iN SOTIAPISICS 1 MUA spo ays: ate wi»... e sav Bite wd ap oiw tmnys, vlesehe Ss 37 ee gateei acta mip SMITE AW ss Seto. c ks. ssid lots Ww heny ave eusie'e e's Ghee aN! 37 WalubemVVGSstennimhan eis nz ich csthcc.si eos obese hots Selinvccs teas eas 39 AML Wana rain Grol OU ui .Last te cl Sistoeans coe Usha Sealed) souks ae 39 2 TeR SE GE 8 Sig ST a ee 40 NVESLCTM MSEC EDO Urs nat citer mlsnne hiro ind o) slemensieradepest teri gs Sarah 40 WORSet——C Nam LOI Seva Ole ven = A ee sete lo nates tha Powlte cs tuene cdeya eee 4] Worset—— Chamipromye Wwe sve once aes h Seni: ote o'ecq eds) sigare teen 4] itrrallan Avs wir-bearino Seep cj.) steele fails « clomere eis «rer sa'e 44 NBCRCES eT ECA ITE eee Aa eee) SPA coats feta yaitahes 2. cL SHetal a Rao telelwne te fet of esd 45 MCLG E SLOT — Liner races artrccaice one is teks ok oka Raster eye Shs eh ove senng iz eitvece:g 45 Mier een PeS Me rnEL is) eM trie fg eal Del oc ne, adn’ Conte Urania crake e ai gnazare Go 0 47 GES GN Eee Oh recat as ces emg 5201 DA en ee 49 Cotswold — Champion Mwe: wii. c.g. i. setae weeds ee ee eacs 49
14 ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE Lancoln— Champion Ramc.,<5- <n apieeietaeie etal tee eee 50 Lincoln—-Champion: Wwe eej.- scr erre ches eielers olen) toksp tee 50 A Western Shearing Camp ...: aiecwcmciiens 3 state 2) ences 63 Typical Shearing Pens in the Range Country............. 64, 65 Lambs at Shearing Time Cut Away from Ewes.............. 69 How a Lamb is Docked with Hot Pinchers.................. 71 Bacillus, Anthracis... :°26 suy.0 ao eee ele nate hontai aferencases 84 Bacillus: of Blackles cstv ceiccnec tere oe ee 86 stunts? with they Ivana esc rae selecr occupies st icra aerate 106 Counting ‘Six -Chousamdiiry re craves este Ceti te evan een etter ies 107 Sheep-scab..Mite—-Male’ Cine daa rte sp coasts a atteaeaeeciee mame 155 Sheep-scab Mite—RNemale 7-2 votes: slacks ta nana peters 156 First Stage of Scabson ‘Shoulder... 0g. a-ct-n ss oss olen 158 Characteristic Scab Lesions, Early Stages................. 159 Scabby Buck, Hindquarters Affected..................005. 160 Sheep Tick. ,.\..:. cfeclateacyes\s tari she way sistg etme aeoeeae ele 162 Sheep Louse 2. ..-g ee as.ooe 0s 6 a cia aise tetn aie siesaeey ge eneeeae mS 163 Sheep: Foot Louse.) co-cisec.< awe + trees ere eee een ene 164 Hstrus: OVvis:: 2 2.0 rebels aes ss ae oie erences el ei ea 167 Distoma; Hepaticuma sec) Ma dle cee vances teas Shee 170 Sacs) of Miescher: from Muscles). ya. oe). ae ele 173 A Pine Tree Growing in, Solid. Rock. 22.2 a: niin) eee eee 186 Coyote Killers... da: SOME re eee oe ee Cee 210 DOyote sos. oo oe oes 0% ie san ee See ne eID RU pees aeeany ge ee ae 212 The Old Wolf Shot-and) Helpless cs :- 2.7. ae ee ae 213 Wolf Pups-in. Wront-of Dent seit ccs ee ee eee 214 With Cab so o's 54 G5 ge eee ee rr 215 Lynx. Cat ‘Caught ‘in: Trap sigs capes aceasta eg a ea re 216 Ao Sheep-Killing. Bear... 275biaic ts sccietns apace nanan 217
COLOR PLATES
Death Camas. 5.0... 1c. 25 GPR Renee a Oe 176a Purple TOCO s). . ..'s ./s'5 0105 soles een eke iets eet ere ee 184a UTES UT e556 ars, kvsiacs wv aed esa: fhe Oh SA Ieee PO Le 192a TBUIN]: 5s. w/deye's cyels cists, o:laheshuene Jeleres Ree TRE ene rn ea eee 200a PGOTITEG ) Siacs < Fic =). rire + «elec a tase estes mide eeete Lene PRTONe east Cae ea 208a
Water Hemlock: sais. « ces sash ee ee ee ee 216a
SECTION I. HISTORY OF THE BREEDS.
The word sheep is of unknown etymology, and the origin of the animal itself is veiled in obscurity as great. It is supposed that domesticated sheep originated from the wild forms of sheep, the ‘‘Mouflon,’’ the ‘‘Musimon,’’ and the ‘‘Argali.’’
The sheep is also one of the oldest of all do- mesticated animals; the different breeds are the results of environment, combined with man’s ingenuity. For detailed histories the reader is referred to the various excellent texts on sheep management’; space permits us to give only the briefest mention of the development of the sheep industry in this country.
No domesticated sheep were found in North America by the early explorers, and the wild Rocky Mountain sheep has never been tamed nor crossed with domesticated breeds.
For centuries, Spain controlled the fine-wool sheep of the world, and no exportations were allowed to other countries, until in 1765, when three hundred Spanish sheep were introduced into Saxony by royal favor, and became the foun- dation stock of the Saxony Merinos. In 1783, the French government imported Spanish sheep and
1Those consulted were: Craig’s “Sheep Farming.”
Wing’s “Sheep Farming in America.” Kleinheinz’s “Sheep Management.”
15
16 SHEEP DISEASES.
established them on a farm near Paris, called Rambouillet, progenitors of the breed of that name.
MUSIMON OF EUROPE,
Courtesy American Sheep Breeder.
During the first quarter of the nineteenth cen- tury Merinos were introduced into the United States. In 1801, the wool industry, that has made that state the leader of fine-wool sheep, was started in Ohio, The same year a number of Ram- bouillets were sent to New York by Robert Living- stone, our minister to France. In 1802, General
MERINO, ‘TyrpeE B—Champion Ram.
PLATE I.
i : (am
*
Toa
HISTORY OF THE BREEDS. 19
Humphries, our minister to Spain, sent to his native state, Connecticut, nearly one hundred head of pure-bred Merinos. In 1809, William Jarvis, our minister to Portugal, sent four thousand pure- bred Merinos to Vermont. The next two years, it is estimated, nearly twenty thousand sheep were brought to this country and the industry thus started on foundation stock of the best blood. Due to the low altitude and moist climate of England, the Merino breeds have never done well
AFRICAN SHEEP.
Courtesy American Sheep Breeder.
in that island, and, as a result, the attention of breeders, particularly of Robert Bakewell, was early given to improving the mutton qualities of their sheep. All of our breeds of medium and long-wool sheep, chiefly of the mutton types, have originated from strains long bred in England for their mutton producing qualities.
In all countries of the world the sheep industry
20 SHEEP DISEASES.
has flourished and has produced untold wealth for the owners. While it is a far cry from the times of Abel and Abraham, and the shepherds with their little flocks on the Chaldean hills in Biblical story, to the present day of gigantic sheep ranches of Australia, Argentine and the United States, the habits of this docile animal have remained prac- tically the same as they were at the dawn of civil- ization.
Merino, Tyrpe C—Champion Ram.
In round numbers, there are about six hundred million sheep in the world, divided as follows:
60,000,000 head in North America, the United States, Mexico and Canada leading in order named.
RAMBOUILLET—Champion Ram.
RAMBOUILLET—Champion Ewe.
sATE II.
HISTORY OF THE BREEDS. 23 120,000,000 in South America, the great majority being found in Argentine, Uruguay and Chile. 130,000,000 in Europe, the leading sheep raising countries being European Russia, Great Britain, European Turkey, France, Spain and Austria- Hungary. 115,000,000 in Asia, Asiatic Turkey, Asiatic Russia and India leading. 60,000,000 in Africa, South Africa and Algeria producing nearly two-thirds of the total. 115,000,000 in Asia, Asiatic Turkey, Asiatic Russia and India leading. 60,000,000 in Africa, South Africa and Algeria producing nearly two- =<@-~3 thirds of the total. grs5y 115,000,000 in Ocean- EEE ica, Australia and New Courtesy American Sheep Breeder, ; Zealand leading.
The three foremost sheep producing countries in order named are Australia, Argentine and the United States.
In these days of inventions and improvements, no substitute for wool has ever yet been devised. The sheep remains the only machine that can transform the forage from deserts and forests into fleecy wool and delicious mutton, and it will thrive where other animals starve to death. Its chief disadvantage is its very feeble resistance to para- sites and diseases, the prevention of which is the greatest task of the shepherd,
24 SHEEP DISEASES.
The classification of the breeds according to the fineness of the wool-fibre seems to be the common custom, the three classes being:
1. The fine-wool.
2. The medium-wool.
3. The long-wool.
A convenient table is as follows:
FINE LIGHT-FACED
Merino Merino MeEpIUM Cotswold
Shropshire Dorset Southdown Leicester Oxford Lincoln Hampshire Cheviot Cheviot DARK-FACED Dorset Shropshire Suffolk Southdown
LONG Hampshire Leicester Oxford Lincoln Suffolk Cotswold
In this country, the Merino blood, crossed with medium and long-wool rams, has been extensively used.
I. THE FINE-WOOLS. Merino.
This well-known breed seems to have been known in Spain since the earliest records. It is supposed they were brought to Spain from Italy, where they had been taken by a band of Grecians to the city of Tarentum. From the eighth to the thirteenth centuries under the regime of the Sara- eens and Moors, the wool industry flourished in Spain. As previously stated, no exportations were made from Spain until 1765, when the Elector of Saxony secured three hundred Merinos and bred
SHROPSHIRE—Champion Ewe.
PLATE III.
HISTORY OF THE BREEDS. hal them so carefully that they constitute a famous branch of the Merino, called the Saxony Merinos.
In 1783, France imported a large number of Spanish Merinos and placed them at Rambouillet, near Paris, and there created the breed known as Rambouillets. Von Homeyer, of Pomerania, Ger- many, improved this type so much, that a special breed known as the Von Homeyer Rambouillets is in existence. This type was brought to Ohio in 1851, and has since flourished.
Many other types of the Merino have been devel- oped in this Counir y., among them being the Standard De- laines, Na- tional De- laines, Im- proved De- laines, Dick- inson De- laines, and
Black - top RANGE RAMRBOUILLETS. Spanish Me- rinos.
At the present time it is customary to divide the Merino into three classes:
Class A: The extreme wool production type. The entire body is covered with folds and wrin- kles, and there is an abundance of yolk in the fleece.
28 SHEEP DISEASES.
Class B: The body is not so wrinkled, which makes the shearing easier, It is the commercial type for wool production. This does not include the Rambouillet.
TYPICAL WESTERN SHEEP OWNER’S HOME TWENTY YEARS AGO.
HOMES LIKE THIS ARE THE RULE AMONG THE SHEEP MEN Now.
Class ©: This type has a longer fibre and the skin is nearly free from folds. These are better
AM
THDOWN R
AL Sou
PIC
ADS
AL SOUTHDOWN EWE.
YPIC.
T
LATE IV.
HISTORY OF THE BREEDS. dl
\
mutton producers than the two above-mentioned types. It includes the Delaine Merino.
The Rambouillet.
The Rambouillet is smooth-bodied, except for a few wrinkles on the neck. The rams have large, spiral-shaped horns, while the ewes are hornless. This breed is larger and more growthy than the Merino, but its wool is not so fine.
Tuer BELL WETHER.
II. THE MEDIUM-WOOLS. Shropshire.
This breed was first recognized in the early fif- ties of the last century, and was brought to per- fection in the central counties of England. It is one of the most popular of all western range sheep, the ‘‘Shrops’’ being a general-purpose breed.
Quick to mature, hardy, good mothers, prolific breeders, easy feeders and good rustlers, they have attained their position by their sterling qualities.
a2 SHEEP DISEASES.
They are medium in size, and cross well with other breeds. They are dark-faced.
The first Shropshires were brought to this coun- try in 1833. They were taken to Ohio.
Southdown.
This is also a dark-faced, medium-wool breed.
CHEVIOT, Courtesy Dotshome Farms.
It is perhaps the oldest of the British types, its history dating back for many centuries.
They are noted for their low, compact bodies, with small bone, and excellent wool. As a mutton sheep they are unexcelled.
Oxrorp—Champion Hhwe.
HISTORY OF THE BREEDS. By)
Some claim specimens of this breed were brought with the Pilgrims, and that as early as 1688 they were found in Virginia. In 1803 a small flock was imported into New York, and in 1824 to 1825 many more were imported.
Oxford.
The Oxford originated from crossing Cotswold rams on Southdown and Hampshire ewes. This was begun in about 1830, and in 1861 they were recognized as a distinct breed.
CuEvior—Ram and Ewe.
They are very large and mature quickly. They yield the heaviest fleece of any of the Down breeds, fifteen pounds being a common average. It is an excellent small-band sheep, consuming large quan- tities of food and making good gains. As a forag-
36 SHEEP DISEASES.
ing sheep it is inferior to the Shropshire. It is dark-faced.
Dorset—Valley View Farm, Wasco, III. Hampshire.
This breed was evolved from sheep raised in Hampshire and Wiltshire, England, crossed with
A TyYPIcaAL RANGE SHEEP.
TyPICAL HAMPSTIIRE RAM.
TypicAL HAMPSHIRE EWE.
PLATE VI.
HISTORY OF THE BREEDS. 39 Southdown rams. Some claim Cotswolds also were used in the cross. The breed is over one hundred years old, and is a very popular one
ig ian tlie gah enh ;
TT
ON THE WESTERN RANGE. where food is abundant. It makes larger gains than any other Down breed during the first part of its life. The wool is not heavy. The ewe is very pro- lific, and the lambs of such quick growth that they
Sm pee ht RA : - 4
A Frew or A BAND or 3,000.
make an excellent ‘‘hot-house’’ variety for early markets. Cheviot. The Cheviot acquires its name from the Cheviot Hills on the boundary between England and Scot-
40) SHEEP DISEASES.
land. This breed is as old as the earliest records. They are great foragers, resembling the Shrop-
Tue SHEPIIERD’S ASSISTANT. The well trained sheep dog, with almost human intelligence, is indispensable. shire in this respect. On account of the strife and ‘‘Border Wars’’ resulting from the frequent disagreements between English and _ Seottish
WESTERN SHEEP Doa.
Dorset—Champion Ewe.
1B VET:
HISTORY OF THE BREEDS. 45 chiefs, the breed was not improved for centuries. With long bodies, they were adapted for moun- tain ranging, and were known as the ‘“‘long sheep.’’ Crossing has given them better conforma- tion. They are excellent wool and mutton pro- ducers, good foragers, and are gaining in popu- larity. Their beauty and alert activity have con- tributed not a little in this.
Dorset.
This breed is white-faced; it is peculiar in that both ram and ewe have horns. The Dorsets seem to have sprung from a breed common in the southern and central parts of England since the earliest times. The county of Dorset was espe- cially famed for this kind of sheep, hence the name. About 1862 they were recognized as a distinct breed.
Their great prolificacy renders the Dorset valu- able for intensive farming; two lambings a year, and frequently twins, is the record. If only one crop of lambs is raised, the Dorset ewe will come in season very early, and produce lambs for the ‘‘hot-house’’ trade.
Suffolk.
The progenitors of this breed were known as the Norfolks, and thrived in southeastern Eng- land. They were hardy and good rangers. Along in the early part of the last century they were improved by crossing with the Southdowns; in 1859 they were recognized as a distinct breed.
44 SHEEP DISEASES.
This animal is somewhat smaller than a Hamp- shire but larger than a Shropshire. The lambs are usually black. They are not well known in this country.
III. THE LONG-WOOLS. Leicester.
About 1755 Robert Bakewell, the famous agri- cultural genius of England, began to mate well
KARAKUL—A Fur-bearing Sheep.
formed sheep found in Leicester county. Soon he had made a notable improvement, and a new breed came into being, known as the Leicester (pronounced les-ter).
The body is excellent in shape and smooth- ness, but the lightness of wool on the belly and
LrEICESTER— Ram.
LEICESTER—Ewe.
PLATE VIII.
. HISTORY OF THE BREEDS. 47 length of legs gives it a somewhat ‘‘leggy’’ ap- pearance. The original animal, as Bakewell bred it, was not hardy, since he sacrificed constitu- tion and stamina for shapely type.
-Their excellence consists in fattening quickly where food is abundant. For this reason the Lei- cester ram is often used for crossing on other breeds where early fat lambs are desired.
TyYPIcAL TUNIS RAM.
The Border Leicester was originated by Cully, who secured Leicester rams from Bakewell and erossed them on an old long wool breed, called the Teeswaters. The head of the Border Leicester is free from wool, while the Leicester has a tuft.
48 SHEEP DISEASES.
Cotswold.
The Cotswold is said to have originated from two words: ‘‘Cotes,’’ referring to the barn in which the sheep are kept, and ‘‘wold,’’ to an open, rolling upland range. The early history of this breed is veiled in obseurity, although it is claimed they were found in England when Caesar visited the island.
Some authorities claim the present breed is the result of crossing the original Cotswold with Bakewell’s improved Leicesters. This cross re- duced the size, increased the mutton quality, and lessened the resistance to disease.
The Cotswold is a large, massive appearing sheep, with long wool, fine in fibre. A valuable feature of this breed is its prepotency. In cross- ing with other breeds it unfailingly transmits its tendency to increase the size and the weight of the fleece: It is a valuable breed for intensive farming.
Lincoln.
This is another ancient breed, improved to their present high standard by crossing with the Lei- cesters. The original breed was found in Linecoln- shire, England, hence the present name. In 1862 they were recognized as a distinet breed, and have been extensively imported to the United States and Canada.
This is the largest breed of sheep, being mas- sive, strong boned, and yielding heavy fleeces. They are extremely popular in crossing on Merino ewes; the progeny have a fine, large, lustrous fleece.
CorswoLp—Champion Ewe,
PLATE LX.
LincoLtN—Champion Ewe.
PLATE X,
HISTORY OF THE BREEDS. ol
In the West, they are valuable small ranch sheep, giving great returns in wool, mutton and lambs. 3
LESSER KNOWN BREEDS. Romney or Kent.
This breed originated in southeastern England, and some splendid specimens are found in this country. Their chief use on the range is to cross on the Merino. They are white-faced.
Corriedale.
These sheep were recognized as a distinct breed in New Zealand about 1911. They originated from crossing Lincoln rams on Merino ewes. They are highly thought of as wool and mutton pro- ducers, especially for the frozen meat trade. They are becoming more extensively raised in the United States, several fine bands being found in the West.
Karakul.
Karakul sheep in small numbers have been im- ported into the United States. This is a fur- bearing animal, a native of Bokhara, a Russian dependency, and, due to the laws of this little country, forbidding any exportations of sheep, are little known outside of their native heath. They have been crossed with various other breeds, such as Merinos, the progeny being called ‘‘Karakul Finewools,’’ and with Persians, the cross being known as ‘‘Karakul Persians.’’ The latter cross produces very fine skins.
a2 SHEEP DISEASES.
The Black-Faced Highland.
This breed is an inhabitant of the Cheviot-Hills, and is also known as the Black-faced Heath. It is of the long-wool type. (See frontispiece. )
Tunis.
The foundation stock for this breed was im- ported from Africa over a century ago, but the Civil War almost destroyed it. The distinguish- ing mark is an exceedingly long, fat tail, and the hornless head covered with tawny, brown hair.
Persian.
Persian sheep were introduced to this country © some years ago. When crossed with Merinos they have done well in the arid regions of the west.
CROSS-BRED SHEEP.
Cross-bred sheep are commonly raised by range - men who desire a hardy animal, combining the qualities of several breeds. The commonest crosses are the long-wools, such as the Lincoln and Cots- wold, on the Merino. Other well known crosses are the Shropshire and Hampshire on the Merino. Due to different range conditions, a cross success- ful in some part of the country may prove value- - less in another. Arguments about the ‘‘best breed’’ or the ‘‘best cross’? are but a waste of time; the desideratum being ultimate profit.
SECTION IL. ANATOMY.
The anatomy of the sheep greatly resembles that of the ox in general. A brief summary is as follows:?
THE SKELETON. Vertebrae.
The vertebrae are forty-nine to fifty-one in num- ber: seven cervical; thirteen thoracic; six lumbar; five sacral (fused into one bone), and eighteen to twenty coccygeal.
Ribs and Sternum.
There are normally thirteen pairs of ribs; eight pairs of sternal, and five pairs asternal.
The sternum consists of seven sternebrae; the eariniform cartilage being absent.
The thorax is relatively short and wide.
Cranium and Face.
The occipital is very strong and thick.
The sphenoid is very short.
The ethmoid rather extensive.
The interparietals small.
The parietals form part of the temporal fossae.
The frontals form nearly one-half the length of the skull.
2Sisson’s “The Anatomy of the Domestic Animals’ was
consulted. Ro oo
o4 SHEEP DISEASES.
The temporals, divided into the squamous and petrous parts, which fuse at birth, form protective coverings for the auditory canal.
The maxilla is short and broad.
The premaxilla is thin and flattened.
The palatine bone is relatively large.
The pterygoid bone is comparatively large.
The nasal bones are short, the size depending on the breed.
The lacrimal bone is large.
The malar bone is relatively large.
The turbinals are very fragile.
The vomer is wide, its size depending on the breed. .
The mandible or inferior maxilla does not com- pletely fuse during life.
The hyoid is very short.
The skull, as a whole, is very powerful and well protects the head. The sheep’s chief weapon of defense is butting, and its head has been de- veloped to withstand extraordinary concussion.
Thoracic or Front Limb.
The bones of the front limb are small but power- ful, and consist of the following:
The seapula is nearly triangular in shape.
The humerus is short, and has a very small deltoid tuberosity.
The radius is short and relatively broad.
The ulna extends nearly the whole length of the radius.
The carpus consists of six bones, four in the upper row and two in the lower.
ANATOMY. 5b
The metacarpus consists of the large metacarpal and a small metacarpal.
The digits are four in number, only two are fully developed. They have three phalanges and three sesamoids each.
Pelvic Limb.
The ila are almost parallel.
The ischium is relatively large. The acetabu- lum is very small, and the pelvie inlet is rather elliptical and oblique.
The femur is comparatively small and_ eyl- indrieal.
The tibia is short and curved.
The fibula consists of the two extremities con- nected by a structure resembling a cord.
The patella is rather long and narrow.
The tarsus consists of five bones, several being fused together.
- The large metatarsus is longer than the corre- sponding metacarpus; the small metatarsus being a quadrilateral dise.
The phalanges and sesamoids are almost iden-
tical with those of the front limb.
Joints and Ligaments.
The temporo-mandibular articulations permit of the extensive lateral movements of rumination.
The ligamentum nuchae is well developed.
The articulations of the thorax are immovable.
The shoulder joint has an acute articular angle.
In the elbow joint no movement occurs between the radius and ulna,
56 SHEEP DISEASES.
The carpal joints are very free.
The metacarpo-phalangeal joints are two for each digit.
The sacro-iliac joint is very strong.
The hip joint is well protected by a marginal cartilage which reinforces the shallow acetabulum.
In the stifle joint the synovial sacs communicate so freely as to form a common joint cavity.
The tibio-fibular joint is a complete arthrosis.
The hock joint has very little mobility.
Adapted as the sheep is for mountain climb- ing, its joints are very strong, and dislocations are rare.
THE MUSCULAR SYSTEM.
The panniculus is well developed.
The masseter is not large but is well developed.
The hyoid muscles are very strong.
The diaphragm is appreciably more oblique than in the ox, and relatively wide.
The muscles of the shoulder girdle, shoulder, arm, forearm, abdomen, pelvis and pelvic limb are similar to those of other animals.
There are four extensors of the leg and foot.
Sprains of muscles, even on the roughest of ground, with much jumping, rarely occur in sheep.
THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. The lips are thin, and the upper one marked by a distinct cleft. The hard palate is smooth, and the mucous mem- brane more or less pigmented. The cheeks are lined with large papillae.
ANATOMY. 57
The tongue has a smooth tip.
The milk teeth number twenty.
There are thirty-two permanent teeth: eight incisors in the lower jaw; none in the upper; six molars in each arcade, or twelve in the lower and twelve in the upper jaw. The cement is usually black. The following table gives the eruption periods of the various teeth:
Teeth Temporary Permanent Central incisors At birth 1 year Second oh 1st or 2d week 2 - Third 3 AGOGWoGs +s 3 s Corner 2 3d or 4th “ Ar yee First molar 4th week 1% to 2 years Second “ “s 7 irhaird:~ “ fi te Fourth “ 5 to 5 months Fifth 9 to 12 4 SEXuheay- 1 to 2 years
When the lamb is about a year old, the central pair of milk teeth drop out, succeeded by a pair of permanent teeth.
About two years of age, the second pair of milk teeth (on each side of the centrals) drop out, and permanent teeth take their place.
A year later, the third pair of milk teeth are ‘‘shed’’ and the permanent teeth have appeared in their place.
At about four years of age, all the milk teeth have vanished and the sheep has a ‘‘full mouth.’’
Forced feeding and fattening cause the teeth to shed earlier; some show sheep having lost sev- eral of their permanent teeth before the age of five years. However, as a rule, the seven-year-old has lost one or two, and has a ‘‘broken mouth’’; but one cannot tell the age of sheep with cer- tainty, by the teeth.
08 SHEEP DISEASES.
The salivary glands are well formed and the parotid ducts open opposite the third molar.
The tonsil is bean-shaped and about one-half inch long.
The pharynx has a median fold which is a con- tinuation of the nasal septum.
The esophagus has a lumen of about one inch when moderately distended.
The four compartments of the stomach—the rumen, reticulum, omasum and abomasum—have a total capacity of about four gallons. The omasum is very small, having a capacity of only a pint. The abomasum is larger, holding nearly two quarts.
The small intestines are about eighty feet es and the lumen is about one inch in diameter.
The cecum is about a foot long, and of a capac- - ity of nearly a quart.
The colon is about fifteen feet long, its lumen ranging from one inch to two inches.
The liver weighs about one and one-half pounds, and lies mainly on the right of the median line.
The bile duct joins the pancreatic duct and opens into the duodenum about a foot posterior to the stomach.
The spleen is triangular in shape, weighing about three ounces.
THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM. The nostrils are small and not very dilatable.
The nasal cavity is very short and narrow be- hind.
The larynx is small and compact.
ANATOMY. 59
The trachea is small, and anyone who has at- tempted to inject gasoline into it will concur in the statement that it is very mobile.
The thoracic cavity is small, and the pleura thick.
The lungs are very unequal in size, the right one being the larger. The left one has three lobes, and the right has four or five.
The thyroid is very extensive, being largely utilized in the manufacture of a biological product.
The thymus is very pale and delicate.
THE URINARY ORGANS.
The kidneys weigh about four ounces, and are bean-shaped. The right kidney les under the first three lumbar vertebrae, while the left one is usually further forward. In the adult sheep, when the rumen becomes distended with food, the left kidney is pushed back several inches.
The ureter of the left kidney has a pecular course, due to the movable position of the kidney. It curves upward and inward, and crossing the median plane, runs backward on the left side. The right ureter runs back in a relatively straight line.
The bladder is long and narrow, and extends rather far forward on the abdominal floor.
The adrenals are bean-shaped. The right one lies along the inner border of the kidney and is about an inch long and wide. The left one is somewhat longer and slightly bent in shape. It lies across the left renal vein, and is not in con- tact with the kidney.
60 SHEEP DISEASES.
THE MALE GENITAL ORGANS.
The scrotum is long, pendulous and has a dis- tinct neck.
The testicles are very large and oval.
The epididymis is very adherent to the testicle.
The spermatic cord is long, and the vaginal ring small.
The vas deferens is of small calibre.
The vesiculae seminales are compact.
The prostate is light yellow in color.
The penis is cylindrical, with a urethral process extending out from the glans.
The prepuce is long and narrow.
The urethra lies in a groove on the lower surface of the penis, forming a twisted process. Its diam- eter is not over one-sixteenth of an inch. This is one reason why mangels or sugar beets are a dan- gerous food for rams and wethers, on account of the ealeuli they form.
THE FEMALE GENITAL ORGANS.
The ovaries are small.
The fallopian tubes are long and tortuous.
The uterus lies almost entirely in the abdominal eavity, a thing that should be remembered in diag- nosing pregnancy.
The vagina is short, with a thick wall.
The urethra is very short, and dilatable. This prevents serious consequences from urinary caleuli im ewes.
The mammary glands are relatively large, and pigmented.
ANATOMY. 61
THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM.
The average sheep has about one gallon of blood; lambs searcely a pint. This makes it an easy prey to blood sucking parasites.
The pericardium is usually buried in a mass of fat.
The heart is relatively large and situated prin- cipally upon the left of the median plane, being opposite the third to the fifth ribs.
The arterial and venous systems are similar to those of other animals.
The lymph system is very well marked in the sheep.
THE NERVOUS SYSTEM.
The diseases of the nervous system are many and varied in the sheep, but as practically all pathological lesions are caused by parasites, not much can be done, except to perform a very care- ful autopsy.
The spinal cord is long and small, and the brain is relatively small. The nervous system is similar to that of other animals; perhaps not so highly developed as in the horse and dog.
THE ORGANS OF THE SPECIAL SENSES.
The eye is round, and the lids rather thick. The vitreous body is not very fluid.
The ear inclines outward and upward, differing in the several breeds. The auditory canal is small.
The skin is thin and of a pinkish hue when the animal is in good health, and covered with wool. The caliber of the wool fiber varies from one five-
62 SHEEP DISEASES.
thousandth of an inch in Merinos to one four- hundred-fiftieth of an inch in Cotswolds.
The olfactory organs are well developed; the ewe depends upon the sense of smell to identify her young.
The sense of taste is highly developed; no ani- mal has a more dainty taste than has the sheep, still it will eat poisonous plants, such as death camas, when it is young and succulent, and the animal is very hungry for green food.
SECTION IIT.
HYGIENE.
_ All of those methods by which sheep are shielded to a greater or less extent from disease; kept in a state of health, and which contribute to their thrift, may correctly be classed as hygiene.
No animal has less resistance to disease when once infected than has the sheep. No animal re- pays hygienic care and surroundings with greater profit than this one.
A WESTERN SHEARING CAMP.
About 1200 are Sheared a Day in This Small Camp.
For detailed information as to the management of sheep, the reader is referred to various books devoted to this subject. The following discussion is designed merely to outline the management and eare that is conducive to health.
63
64 SHEEP DISEASES.
GENERAL CARE.
The care of fifty sheep on a small eastern farm is a vastly different undertaking from watching over a band of many thousand on the western range. While the habits of the animal are the same, whether it be in a bunch of a dozen or a
TYPICAL SHEARING PENS
band of three thousand, the management must vary to meet existing conditions. For that reason, the carefully formulated rules that may suit one breeder’s faney will be utterly out of place or wholly impractical for another.
In all cases, however, kindness, cleanliness, lib- eral and regular feeding, together with a natural
HYGIENE. 65 \ aptitude for caring for sheep are essentials for success. | The pulse rate of sheep varies considerably, although seventy to ninety beats a minute may be taken as an average. Respirations vary from twelve to twenty a minute when the animal is per-
IN THE RANGE COUNTRY.
fectly at ease. The temperature is usually around 103 degrees Fahrenheit, taken per rectum, al- though this depends to some extent on the age, weather, and degree of fatness.
No other animal so clearly exhibits the symp- toms of disease as does the sheep. The loss of appetite; the listless air; the dull eye; the drawn-
66 SHEEP DISEASES.
up appearance of the abdomen, and the seeking of a lonely spot in which to lie down, clearly point out the invasion of some disorder. Other symp- toms, more or less marked, give us a clue to the actual trouble, although in many eases where there is no history to guide one, the diagnosis must be made largely by exclusion, or from a postmortem examination of some animal similarly affected.
Handling.
Catching a sheep for examination is often per- formed incorrectly or carelessly. Grabbing a sheep by the wool often causes a bruise that may persist for months. Nothing else makes quite so unfavorable an impression upon the experienced sheep man as lunging wildly at an animal, and going through unnecessary antics in attempting to cateh it.
As strangers frighten sheep, it is a better plan to have the one accustomed to taking care of the flock catch the animal desired. If this is not pos- sible, drive the sheep into a small enclosure and grasp the flank, just over the stifle.
To set it on its rump, place the left arm around the sheep’s neck and hold the right forearm of the animal with the left hand. With the right hand reach under and grasp the right hind leg above the hock. Pulling it against one’s breast and exerting a little traction on the hind legs, the sheep will be raised on its rump easily, and ren- dered powerless to struggle.
Leading a sheep is a simple matter when done correctly, although some Merinos will be found
HYGIENE. 67 to be more stubborn than a mule. Get on its left side, place the left arm around its neck, with the other hand on its tail-head, and by tickling it slightly, the animal will walk briskly along.
To carry a sheep, if it be a small one or a lamb, stand at the rear and to the right, shp the right hand back of the sheep’s right front leg and place it between the front legs. Lift it up slightly in front, and grasp the left hind leg just above the hock. Lift up, catching hold of both hind legs. This renders the sheep helpless, and it can be car- ried without struggling.
To load sheep. into a wagon without a chute, two men can handle a small bunch quickly in the following manner: One man stands on each side of the sheep. The right hand of one grasps the left hand of the other between the forelegs, and the other hands are clasped in a similar manner under the flanks. Chutes are used where there are large numbers, and a goat acting as leader saves much time..
Shipping sheep singly in crates supplied with a gunny sack of hay and grain is accomplished with very little loss. The expressmen, as a rule, take good care to water the animal at frequent intervals.
4 Feeding.
As this is not a text on sheep management we merely wish to emphasize the importance of punctual feeding from the standpoint of hygiene.
On the western range, alfalfa, field peas and kale are largely used as winter feeds. The preg-
68 SHEEP DISEASES.
nant ewes are given a small quantity of oats to- wards lambing time. Alsike, clover, rape, rye, roots, and many other foods are used, depending on the locality and cost of feed. Timothy is very constipating, leading to ‘‘blind staggers,’’ follow- ing impaction. Those sections supplied with ‘‘bunch-grass’’ and where the snow is not deep are fortunate, for nothing else is needed, except sulphur and salt.
In the East, and for fitting sheep for exhibition, silage, cabbage and concentrated foods of many kinds are used.
Shepherd’s Calendar.
March: The lambing season. This depends greatly upon the locality and breed.
April: When about two weeks old the lambs are docked, branded, and the males castrated. The feet of the whole-band should be attended to.
May: The sheep are sheared and dipped and started for their summer range.
June, July and August: Feeding in the forest ranges, often in sight of snow-capped mountains. This is one reason why western sheep are so healthy and thrifty; they are far above the parasite-infested lowlands. The lambs are weaned when about four to five months old.
September: Toward the latter part of this month, the band is slowly trailed back home. In the Northwest, fields of wheat and oats ‘‘stubble’’ are purchased to turn the sheep into. In Colorado field peas are ‘used.
October: The band is eulled, and the bucks
HYGIENE. 69
turned in. Towards the latter part of the month the feet are again trimmed if necessary.
November, December, January and February: Feeding at the home ranch, and selling lambs when the prices are favorable.
CARE OF THE EWE. The period of estrum continues from two to four days, and the ewe will come in heat again in about sixteen days if not pregnant.
LAMBS AT SHEARING TIME CUT Away FRomM EWEs.
The average period of gestation is about one hundred and forty-five days, or four and one-half months. Male lambs are carried a little longer. If a ewe goes over a week after her time, the chances are the lamb is dead. Before lambing, the ewes should be ‘‘tagged’’ by removing any filthy locks of wool.
Separating the pregnant ewes for the winter season is the best system, for then the danger of abortion from crowding and bruising is lessened. Only the brightest and cleanest of food should be fed to pregnant ewes.
70 SHEEP DISEASES.
Turnips and cabbage make a good green food ration, while mangels and sugar beets are not rec- ommended before lambing. In parts of the west, along the coast, where green food grows the year around, these problems are solved by nature. Be- fore lambing the food should be abundant and laxative, a pound of equal parts of bran and oats being a fine addition to the hay ration.
When the weather is not too stormy or wet, the animals should have plenty of exercise. This will prevent many cases of difficult parturition. The old English method of hauling a load of hay a mile from the sheep corral, compelling the sheep to follow it for their food, and then driving them back in the evening, was an excellent one.
In the early spring, after a hard snowy winter, when the band is turned out to pick over the rough parts of the ranch, many abortions and deaths occur among the ewes from eating brush, moss, or any green forage that may be full of tur- pentine or other toxic ingredients. . Frozen roots, spoiled silage, mouldy hay, and an exclusive diet of timothy have caused the death of many a preg- nant ewe.
When the lambing season arrives, the busiest time of the year on a sheep ranch is at hand. The ewes expected to lamb early should be given a roomy pen, dry, clean and quiet. As ewes seldom lamb between midnight and early in the morning, one should watch them at all hours, except this time.
When a lamb gets away from its mother and she later refuses to claim it, they should be put
HYGIENE. ip!
in a pen together. If the mother butts it away, she should be tied up and the lamb allowed to suck. This usually causes a family reunion.
The various diseases and disorders of the ewe are considered in the section, ‘‘Diseases of the Ewe.”’
CARE OF THE LAMB.
If the lamb is born normal, and does not become infested with parasites, very little need be done to keep it in a healthy and thrifty condition.
#
How A LAMB IS DocKED WItH HoT PINCHERS.
Courtesy American Sheep Breeder.
When an apparently ‘‘lifeless lamb’’ is dropped
it may be possible to resuscitate it by the follow-
ing method: Clean all mucus from the mouth and
nostrils, and blow gently into its nose. Lay it on
its belly and slightly tap each side over the lungs.
A whiff or two of aromatic spirits of ammonia is beneficial.
For a chilled lamb, wrapping it up in a warm
eoat or blanket and giving a few drops of whiskey
72 SHEEP DISEASES.
in a little warmed water is good. In the several large sheep raising states that have lately gone ‘‘dry’’ aromatic spirits of ammonia may be sub- stituted. The latter will also keep longer around a sheep camp. Spirit of camphor and sweet spirit of nitre both contain large amounts of alco- hol, and may be employed as stimulants.
When a lamb must be raised by hand, remember ewe’s milk is much richer in fat and somewhat richer in casein than cow’s milk, as the following table will show:
MILK ANALYSIS.
Ewe Cow
NUE T 25 CF ok Ae, AON ie eee a Ran Sas oe 80.82 87.27 WAGE LIME We eee ys) peters a Roe Se oe ete 4.97 3.02 ANTE OD baa bh ie ee ey ey Rake Pe Oe Be oa ye 1.55 0.53 IDE Ace 2che oe aeZ hy eee tah Coe EONS ar ef 6.86 3.64 SHOS EN A Ce CAS oma atu Oe ne piciadic oltels ac 4.91 4.88 NS SER Be ON tie ee ae Prva NE Bi Dh 0.89 0.71 100.00 100.00
The specific gravity of ewe’s milk is about 1.0341. No water should be added to cow’s milk to feed an orphan lamb, but rather the richest whole milk that can be obtained. If the ewes have been fed oil cake the milk is increased greatly in fats, often causing scours in the lambs.
When the lambs are about two weeks old, on a bright, sunny day, the males should be castrated. Select a clean, dry place for this work, and with disinfected hands and knife, hold the lamb, and cut off the lower third of the scrotum. Pull the tes- ticle and entire cord out. In older lambs the cord may be scraped off. If everything is kept clean no further attention is required. Keep the lambs by themselves for several hours as they will lie
| HYGIENE. (3 down and get trampled if put in with the rest of the sheep. Castrating in the evening has proven very successful with some breeders, as it gives the lambs a chance to remain quiet over night.
At the same time the males are castrated, all the lambs may be docked, branded, tattooed and marked. The easiest and most bloodless method of docking is to heat a pair of pincers red hot and use it to sever the tails; over a dozen lambs ean be docked with one heating.
When the lambs are about four or five months old, or along in August, they are weaned. By this time they have learned to pick up almost enough feed’ to satisfy their wants, and merely taking them entirely away from the ewes, a day or two, will render them weaned.
At weaning ‘time it is a good plan to separate the ram lambs from the others, although this is not: done sometimes until they are six months of age.
A healthy lamb will become plump and make a steady growth. A stunted lamb seldom ‘‘catches up.’’? It is remarkable how fast range lambs fat- ten in the fall while trailed back on stubble or field peas. Many a carload has topped the market from just this kind of feed.
CARE OF THE BUCK.
If the animal has been kept in good condition and given sufficient exercise, he requires but little attention. A ration of bran and oats fed a month or so before the mating season is conducive to vigor. Sugar beets and mangels should never be
74 SHEEP DISEASES.
fed bucks or wethers, for, as stated elsewhere, urinary calculi are apt to be formed, which, owing to the small caliber of the urethra—one-sixteenth of an inch—leads to death.
On the western range about one buck to thirty- five ewes is the usual number.
After the mating season the male should be given sufficient food to keep him in fair condition, but not fat. Exercise is the most essential thing in sheep hygiene. They are naturally roving ani- mals, and the main cause of impotent bucks is traceable to lack of exercise which leads to vicious habits and excessive fat.
SECTION IV.
MEDICINES AND THEIR ADMINISTRATION.
GENERAL CONSIDERATION.
Comparatively few medicines® are used inter- nally in the treatment of sheep diseases. Due to the tortuous digestive system, drugs are very slowly absorbed and usually the animal is dead before action is obtained.
As most ailments that require medicinal treat- ment are emergency cases, such as poisons, para- sites and injuries, large and heroic doses must be given, and repeated often.
It is well to remember the common remedies found in every household or sheep camp, such as salt, pepper, ginger, soda, turpentine and the like, for often one does not have access to a complete medicine chest. To be able to use what is at hand intelligently is better than to know the pharmacopeia by heart and overlook the simple remedies. Long treatises have been written on drugs, but the more experience one has in the treatment of sheep, the fewer drugs he wiil use. To not overdo the treatment requires as much judgment as to render adequate aid.
As many sheep are herded during the summer
8Quitman’s “Synopsis of Veterinary Medicine’ was the text consulted.
(0
76 SHEEP DISEASES.
season far up in the mountains away from the haunts of civilization, and where veterinary at- tendance is not available except in extraordinary cases, veterinarians can serve their clients best under these conditions by outfitting a small medi- cine case of simple remedies and giving the herder explicit directions how to use them and also the conditions that may arise that will justify him in sending fifty, seventy-five or maybe even two hun- dred or three hundred miles for the veterinarian’s services. Part of the instruction given below can be adapted by the veterinarian to the use of the shep- herd and given to him with such remedies as he deems necessary to be taken along in the camp when the herd is driven away for the summer.
Administering Medicines.
The restraint of sheep has been dealt with in the section on Hygiene. .
Setting the sheep on its rump to drench it is inadvisable. Standing it in a corner is the best method to pursue, for then the danger of pouring a portion of the drench into the lungs will be ob- viated.
A two-ounce dose syringe is the handiest article with which to give medicine. Dilute the drugs well with water, raw oil, milk, sirup, or gruel, and introduce the nozzle between the lips in the inter- dental space. Do not hold the tongue, but keep the mouth closed, and the animal will swallow slowly. Proper restraint is half the battle.
To drench with a bottle requires patience and
MEDICINES AND THEIR ADMINISTRATION. 77
skill; unnumbered sheep have been given mechan- ical pneumonia by this method. Small sheep or lambs may be straddled, while large ones should be backed into a corner where they cannot run away. The left hand should be placed on the lower jaw, with the thumb in the interdental space. Place the neck of the bottle on the tongue or near it, and pour in, very slowly, about half the con- tents of the bottle. Rest a minute or two between Pornnks.’?
When a bottle is not available, a spoon may be used. Pouch out the lower lip and pour the med- icine into the cavity so formed.
Mixing the medicines in thick sirup and smear- ing on the tongue or teeth in the form of an elect- uary is a convenient method.
Hypodermic medication may be performed in any part of the skin where the latter is denuded of wool. .
Enemas are valuable in many cases. Adding a tablespoonful of glycerin to a pint of warm, soapy water adds to the efficiency of the injection.
Dips should be kept warm, and the animals treated only on bright sunny days. For foot trou- bles, the solution may be placed in a trough or shallow vat, several inches deep, and the band driven through it.
Dosage.
The relative dose of medicine given to a sheep is about one-fourth to one-sixth as much as given to a horse, and about four times the dose indi- eated for a human. The dose, however, varies
78 SHEEP DISEASES. ®
ereatly with the circumstances, drugs being often indicated in very large quantities; e. g., antidotes for poisoning, well diluted with water or oil.
It is well to remember that a teaspoon holds one dram, or one-fourth of a tablespoonful.
A tablespoon is nearly equivalent to one-half. ounce.
A common tumbler contains about eight ounces, or one-half pint. |
A common tea-cup will hold about eight ounces ; although most cups carried in sheep camps hold nearly a pint, as they are more for service than for style.
Depending on the age of the lamb, from one- third to one-half the size of the dose given sheep ean be administered.
A Table of Frequently Used Drugs.
No complete table of drugs used in sheep prac- tice can be given, because there are no two local- ities with exactly the same disorders. The veter- inarian will soon become familiar with the ail- ments in his immediate vicinity and use the drugs indicated.
The following table is an outline of the drugs generally used, and the safe, but active dosage appended:
Drug Dose for sheep INCACTAC MMUCIIAZO mes war.Vehasiels's Micttarehewetcne Caer ara q. Ss. UNreiechay DRO hO bi elee ee re Ar NSN cies eT eirecicio acca di AGonitiz viNGbUTayes & ance ee ce ele eels eters m. Xx UAIVELO nwo ltrs See eRe oe Mey Sarit ute Piura noe ee te RRERANS q. Ss. AMINA US Ul aS Senos sees ous cities, cher ovd eke tad ctene PTEEKOX ALTOPITACY SUI MAS wevecere eiciels tele) acl -iee ene) eleleiaieletas gr. 1/20
Bord
MEDICINES AND THEIR ADMINISTRATION. 79
\
Drug Dose for sheep Palsamiiim. PETUVIRNUM "25% osc. awd tesde ceo q. Ss. Bevadonnaec rad, WIEXt 6.05 Sec ceee bk ciclo wes m, xx SETUP SUOMI CLAS i s ccvelslincieicle Wem agra ateew s% PTX PSO CUS ME ACTON tia cur sie ateie are s)ae aie Bias Sian ee es gas) CS AMITOMO LACH SPUPUCUS | sisicicd a ccsce'e diols @icie tiesn ed evebere 5ss MO cen ES WET om MILER Ta yspetsecere vc rufedets a is)e mx dna eee tae ane 3Ss TONGA It ene Pett ee Rvp teers ot ctar nce a wt athe cabot e ooatone Sil (Cael OVO THEA TON Cope ee toca ic RON Reon NCEE ner eee RTE ae q. S. WReOsOtlmis BeCCHWOOO ss. ecw. e. elds ee loose m. ii CELESTE ES ES Pe ee q. s. LOSEES TESTIS LON area ee eel Se m.v ADO SCORE LOME.. x cneies ls See sisls Fe 600M Ri oieheealles cea a 3ii FUTONS MEL ORE Se teeta tcccie h otolna sere Sovintehe ee nah maar tees 3i TB TELSIETE GS hai lls USER ONCE RCEC RE REACTOR MEME Tet Paneer q. 8. BTCA TIE MOLEC UII seis a tsercl, sce 8 ys vs suse ebeiley Sis out © 3ss VOTTIUCLS LY T elerd hes, <e cecuayene zion Sisueteve le eieies sus eveters 3i AERP TA De wet OXi tar tn iy .cscichas stare else 2 Suave waar evosterS say's 58s (Gi OSTT DUTTA Se ito Oa OeR Een rac eases eee ae q. 8. SSOP cis ones recta ciate eraralets ater dratlscenenaae eee q.s. Hydrargarium chloridiun mite................ 388 Hiydrogenita GiOXIdi AQUA. ..5- 2.0 22s. se sss q. S. MO Mare LN CEU ciee 2 iat srocnte lacks gists Gd Ses oe one Bloehe q. Ss. METAR OLOUTINN sire ersieie sie esis aes sis o's eiaitevaiiusi ace taste 5viii MESNeSIT ESTP WASie.d see sre ora crekecee eee clas eye ah 5vi NAGEOSIN SDITIGUS CLUCLIS o.oo si. secant es 58s INTCIS EVO Nicer eX, tore-dls sh ones. saci cine Ste cueue/eae 2 m.x OW ACH OL CTs ces staucto nese coo leraeens etc eae the seereme acest q. Ss. COU, (EID UT ENS Gee Oe Anne eRe See ey Aaa ree 31 BhytOlaccae a Mexte, ffs cas wns ede coe were gees 31 Piperitae Menthae Oleum...................... m. xX IPGtAsSieDCEMAMP ANAS! Goa .0. cals eieierle se revelers s = ag: 6.¢ PSII AAC CLASH os. sia 5 cues nus. Deveytis Cet wing ee egal q. Ss. ETS SMOG ieee bees ong hn aleyene cust of eearnelese ost tetenens a .6.¢ IOLASSIPATSOMILISs Male acic seer echoes saree m. xx BEtROlLAGUMMe Re cieu. ns Rohven re Gaia one wma ote ama ¢ q.s. Roamni eeurshianae, HleXt.. <b es. cbs. tee sree 3i RCI NCHITA AL OMIALICAstoe.s)s selene rola ohana a sous © 3i IV GATI TM OLCUNM: raveccahors.sveieieione.e Susie ake, he nysiede ei etes Biv SANGO TAL TITINION sic) soto ehteceete neh olieo<. Hie are ooo al eodeun ee ore faves 3i SAD OMIN ILI Rosia snes ae aetowe eee Sie ale = Secs e ne o q. Ss.
SOduIMeCRIOTICL <s..6 kis-or eros ere» el a ein ty ayers q. Ss.
80 SHEEP DISEASES.
Drug Dose for sheep Sodium hyposulphite sv soceeeies se ee ere os 5ss Sodiuni* bicarbonasu sca. «2.5 auskiele ne en eens q. s. SpinitUs vie Salli Ciyys ...) eee rate eens het one 38s Sulphur “sulbliatum sie. sos ti eerie co eee = q. s. Nerepinthinace Ole cs sic terke aes eters weet, arate 38s TiNCLUITA ME CLEL GOIOTIC: Geto oictee sicrenaeneee ceenies q. s. ZANT CUSSULD BASS saves shose ee tacoes Sie ered sate eee alters q. Ss. VANZEEDELIS etl GLU one. ccveet rea Saneeoe cabanas 3i
Of the drugs mentioned above, perhaps a dozen are commonly used. Due to the delicate taste of the sheep none can be given on the feed. All must be given as a drench or an electuary.
Preventive medication, such as dipping or re- moving animals from parasite—or poison—in- fested ranges, is far more successful and satis- factory than constant drugging.
Emergency Medicine Case for the Range.
Before trailing the sheep to the summer range it is well to provide the herders with an emergency medicine chest, and instruct them how to use each drug. Hints can be given how to treat a saddle- horse or a valuable dog as well as sheep out of the case. Less fatalities among the men them- selves would occur if the sheep owners would secure a competent physician to give the herders a little talk on ‘‘first aid.’’
For the common emergencies among animals, the following list will be found useful:
One dozen two-inch gauze bandages.
Four one-quarter pound rolls absorbent cotton. One roll inch zinc oxide adhesive plaster.
Ten pounds sulphur.
Ten pounds Epsom salt.
One gallon raw linseed oil.
MEDICINES AND THEIR ADMINISTRATION. 81
One quart castor oil.
One quart glycerin.
One pint hydrogen peroxid.
One pint tincture iodin.
One pint spirit of camphor.
One pint sweet spirit nitre.
One pint tincture of iron.
One quart olive oil.
One gallon turpentine.
One gallon pine tar.
Two hundred, twenty-grain powders containing equal parts potassium permanganate and powdered alum.
Several two-ounce dose syringes.
Disinfectants.
As prevention of disease and parasites is of the utmost importance in sheep industry, a knowledge of disinfectants and their germicidal powers is necessary.
On the western range, very little disinfecting is necessary except in infected corrals, shearing or lambing sheds, or feeding lots.
Official disinfectants as designated by the Bureau of Animal Industry mention the following:
1. A five per cent solution carbolic acid. Due to its present high price this is very little used.
2. <A three per cent solution of liquor cresolis compound. This is a coal tar product. Many other well known coal tar dips such as Kreso, Sanax, Lysol, Chloro-naphtholeum and the like, which are merely trade names of the different 1aan- ufacturers, are good and efficient.
3. A 1 to 1,000 solution mereurie chlorid. On account of its dangerous properties to animals from licking it, this is not much used for sheep.
4. Chlorid of lime, one pound to one and one- half gallons of water.
5. Formalin, one quart to five gallons of water.
82 SHEEP DISEASES.
Tor disinfecting a shed or corral, perhaps as good as any disinfectant is lime and sulphur dip. Put a half bushel of unslaked lime in a fifty- gallon barrel, and add enough water to make a smooth paste. Add about twenty gallons of water, stirring constantly, and: then add the coal tar dip, about three gallons will be sufficient, and fill the barrel up with water. Allow to stand over night, and by not agitating the solution, one can use a spray pump with little annoyance from clogging.
The most common western method is to dilute the sediment from the lime and sulphur dips, and throw it around over the corral or pens.
For detailed formulae of the various dips, see Section on Parasites, page 161.
Blue vitriol and common lime are the solutions most used in foot rot on the range.
The Value of Postmortem Examinations.
Perhaps in no species of animal is an autopsy more valuable than in sheep. To ascertain with reasonable certainty the exact trouble is more than half the battle, and preventive measures can be taken to eradicate the malady, if at all practicable.
Sheep that have been dead more than twenty- four hours are not good subjects for postmortem examination. The putrefactive organisms and gas have caused such changes that one cannot tell anything about the original ailment.
Examine the head for grub; the trachea for lung worms; the fourth stomach for stomach worms; the liver for liver flukes; the skin for seab mites or ticks, and every organ for pathological lesions.
MEDICINES AND THEIR ADMINISTRATION. 83
Poisons usually but not always cause a violent inflammation of the intestines.
Sometimes several or more autopsies are neces- sary to arrive at a correct diagnosis, and even then it is often the safer method to make a guarded one.
SECTION V.
ACUTE INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
Anthrax.
Splenic fever; wool sorter’s disease; splenic apoplexy; malignant pustule; anthracemia; my- cosis mtestinalis.
Cause: The Bacillus anthracis, a square-end rod-shaped germ; stains by Gram’s method. Re- mains virulent for years.
Symptoms: In sheep. the symptoms are very acute. Loss of appetite; rise in temperature; edematous swellings ap- pear on flanks, and the skin may be covered with an erysipelas-like eruption. Dark, bloody, frothy mucus exudes from the nostrils, mouth and anus. Young ani- mals are more suscep-
é ; BACILLUS ANTHRACIS. tible to the disease than yesh sheep Blood Stained
older ones, but the mor- with Diluted Fuchsin Solu-
tality—even in adults— "°
is very great.
The diagnosis is determined by the postmortem findings; the ‘‘blackberry spleen’’ differentiating it from blackleg. )
The usual channel of infection is through the
(From Hutyra and Marek.)
Texts consulted: Hutyra and Marek’s Pathology and Therapeutics of the Diseases of Domestic Animals. Friedberger and Froéhner’s Veterinary Pathology. Moore’s Pathology and Ditferential Diagnosis of the Infectious Diseases of Animals. 84
ACUTE INFECTIOUS DISEASES. 85 digestive system; the germs entering the blood and lymph streams from this source. Death ensues in from several hours to two days. The imme- diate cause of death is suffocation. The history of the disease in a given attack or locality is help- ful in making a diagnosis, since where previous outbreaks have occurred, one will be constantly on the lookout. However, in any serious epizootic among sheep, a clinical diagnosis confirmed by a bacteriological examination is the only safe one.
Treatment: First, accurate diagnosis; second, rigid quarantine; third, slaughter of diseased ani- mals and burning the careasses; fourth, immuni- zation and a change of range. The very best thing one can do in ease of the appearance of this disease is to notify the nearest Federal or state live stock sanitary official by wire. Veterinarians must disabuse themselves of the belief that it is a reflection upon their professional ability and skill to call upon state or Federal officials in outbreaks of disease that are suspected of being highly con- tagious and susceptible of control only by con- certed public action. It demonstrates a better ability to take this precaution a hundred times where later developments reveal it unnecessary than to fail to take it one time and thus permit the unnecessary infection of wide areas and as a consequence great loss perhaps for years to come.
2. Malignant Edema.
Edema malignum; septicemia gangraenosa.
Cause: The anaerobic ‘‘ Bacillus edematis ma- ligni.’’
86 SHEEP DISEASES.
This is a wound infection disease often fol- lowing castration. The germ greatly resembles the causative factor of anthrax, except that it has rounded ends. Like tetanus, it grows only in oxygen free cultures.
Symptoms: In general the clinical picture is much the same as that of blackleg. Usually the sheep is found dead, and others may show vague symptoms indi- eating that something is not exactly ‘‘right.’’ The temperature is very high at the onset of the disease and a diarrhea is usually present. Crep-
BACILLUS OF BLACKLEG. itating swellings similar
to those seen in blacklee can be felt on the body; the respirations are la- bored; the pulse is wiry; and the visible mucous membranes cyanotic.
Due to the extreme difficulty in making a clin- ical diagnosis, a bacteriological examination should be made.
Treatment: This is a rare disease among sheep, and is very seldom seen on the range. It is usually found around the barn-yard and in low, damp places. No successful treatment has so far been found.
Prevention consists in moving the sheep to an- other range, preferably to a higher one. It is a quarantinable disease and should be reported to state officials immediately.
ACUTE INFECTIOUS DISEASES. 87
3. Blackleg.
Black quarter; quarter ill; symptomatic an- thrax; gangrenous emphysema.
Cause: The Bacterium Chauveaui, a rather thick, straight germ, with rounded ends. It is a very difficult organism to eradicate, as the spores may live for years.
Symptoms: Only the greatest of care will enable one to differentiate this disease from certain forms of poisoning in sheep.
On the range the course of the malady is very rapid. When first seen, the animal has diffieuity in walking; its abdomen is distended from bloat- ing; a frothy discharge is seen oozing from the mouth, and the temperature is very high. The herder immediately diagnoses the trouble as pois- oning, and many more die before expert assistance is sent for. When local symptoms are pronounced, such as ecrepitating swellings on the hindquarters, the diagnosis is comparatively easy to make.
Treatment: Purely preventive. This is done by Immunization and removal to another range. Blackleg is rather rare among sheep, but one out- break that came to the author’s notice caused the death of over four hundred sheep before expert assistance was even called. Every known anti- dote for poisoning had been used to no avail.
4, Bradsot. Braxy; gastromycosis ovis.
This is a disease much resembling blackleg. It is very destructive to sheep in Norway, Iceland,
88 SHEEP DISEASES.
Denmark, Germany and Scotland. It is seen in the lowlands along the coast, and when sheep are brought down from the mountain pastures and driven into infected ground, the loss is very great. It is not found in this country.
5. Hemorrhagic Septicemia.
Catarrhal fever of sheep; septicemia hemor- rhagica ovum.
Cause: The Bacillus ovisepticus, a short, non- motile non-spore-forming germ, which will not stain by Gram’s method, but stains with the anilin dyes.
Symptoms: The animal is dull; listless; the respirations are labored, and there is great thirst. The temperature is high, and there are present some muscular tremors. The latter symptom makes the disease very difficult to diagnose from some forms of poisoning. The high temperature simulates blackleg, and a very careful examination must be made to arrive at a conclusive opinion. A bacteriological examination should be made to confirm the diagnosis.
Fortunately, in this country hemorrhagic sep- ticemia is a rare disease in sheep, but it is common in Europe and Argentine.
Treatment: Nothing practical has been found but prevention by removal to another range. Im- munization has been tried, and the results have been fairly satisfactory.
6. Rinderpest.
While this is commonly a disease of cattle and
ACUTE INFECTIOUS DISEASES. 89 not found in this country, it has caused immense losses in other parts of the world. Southern Kurope, Asia, the Philippines and Africa have been devastated time after time with this deadly plague. In some instances large losses of sheep and goats have occurred.
This disease became such a widespread epizootic that the first veterinary colleges were established to combat this malady alone.
Cause: Unknown.
Symptoms: Experienced veterinarians declare it greatly resembles hemorrhagic septicemia.
Treatment: As yet, no successful treatment has been devised. Quarantine and slaughter are the two methods used to combat it. Immunization with varying results have been tried.
7. Sheep Pox.
Variola ovina; pox.
Cause: Unknown. The purulent matter found in the cutaneous pustules seems to convey the virus.
Symptoms: The prodromal symptoms are a loss of appetite; high temperature, and, later on the bare or hairy parts of the skin, small papules appear. These are covered with scabs, and in- tense itching follows. The disease is not a fatal one, but the irritation causes a great loss of weight in affected animals. It is not a common disease in this country.
Treatment: As one attack confers immunity, light outbreaks are weleomed in the countries
90 SHEEP DISEASES.
where the disease is enzootic. Immunization has been tried, but with very little suecess. Hygienic care sems to be the best line of treatment. Dif- ferentiating the disease from common scab is the first problem.
8. Foot-and-Mouth Disease.
Aphthae epizooticae. | Probably no disease appearing among cloven- footed animals in this country has been so thor- oughly discussed in the past several years as this one, consequently a mere summary is given here.
Cause: Unknown. The clear serum-like con- tents of the vesicles and the blood carry the con- tagium.
Symptoms: As this is an acute febrile disease, the first symptom noted is a high temperature usually accompanied by a shght lameness. The foot becomes swollen, feverish, and small vesicles which later become pustules are found in the in- terdigital space. Upon squeezing this, thick pus comes out in a spiral, worm-like shape, hence the colloquial term, ‘‘hoof-worm.’’ Great care must be used to differentiate it from foot rot. Complh- cations, such as lack of appetite, abortion in preg- nant ewes, and vesicles on other parts of the body, as in the mouth and sometimes on the teats, may help one to exclude any form of rot. In the latter disease the hoof becomes gangrenous, and to one who has seen both, the difference between these two disorders is very noticeable. The his- tory of an attack is perhaps more important in arriving at a diagnosis than are the lesions. The
ACUTE INFECTIOUS DISEASES. 91
fact that all kinds of cloven hoofed animals on the premises are affected; the low percentage of the susceptible animals that succumb; the lame- ness in the hogs; the ‘‘smacking’’ in cattle; the immunity of horses and mules; the mortality of the sucklings, ete., must be taken into considera- tion in differentiating this disease. Avoid a pub- he announcement of the presence of this disease until the diagnosis is positive; but take no chances of permitting the spread of the disease through a failure to notify the proper authorities in every suspected case. The instructions issued by the Bureau of Animal Industry at Washington on this matter are as follows: ‘‘In all cases of foot-and- mouth disease, even where there are only slight grounds for suspicion of a new outbreak, the mat- ter should be reported immediately by wire to the Chief of the Bureau; a detailed written report should be forwarded as soon as possible. This report should include a description of the lesions and their location, the number of susceptible ani- mals of each species on the farm, the number of animals of each species affected, the temperature record, and the history, including the evidence, if any, of contagion.’’ Heed them.
Treatment: This is a subject open to discussion. It has been proved that quarantine and slaughter, except perhaps in very high priced stock, is the only safe and sane method to combat the disease where there is a probability of its eradication. The course of the disease is from ten days to two weeks; it is but slightly fatal, except in some out- breaks where it assumes a malignant form and in
92 SHEEP DISEASES.
young animals, but its effect on weight and milk or wool causes a great economic loss.
It is a quarantinable disease, and as above stated one should waste no time in notifying the proper authorities of suspected cases. The failure to do this in the 1914 outbreak resulted in the expendi- ture of five million dollars by the Federal and vari- ous state governments in combatting this disease and a loss to the livestock industry from quaran- tines and interference with the marketing of live- stock, probably four times as great. Twenty-five millions for neglect of this simple precaution!
9. Tetanus. Lockjaw; trismus.
Cause: The Bacillus tetani, an anaerobic or- ganism. It is a slender, spore-forming germ and has been called the ‘‘ pin bacillus’’ and the ‘‘ tennis racket bacillus.’’
Symptoms: Being a wound-infection disease, it usually appears among lambs after castration, docking, ear marking, or in rare cases, from um- bilical infection. There have been cases where ewes have been infected after labor.
In young lambs, about a day or so after infection, they become dull, lose their appetite, and as the disease progresses, assume a stiff ‘‘saw-buck”’ attitude. The muscles in the neck become rigid, which causes an inability to swallow, and subse- quent bloating is noticeable. Sometimes a profuse diarrhea occurs. Death occurs from suffocation.
This disease is quite apt to run a subacute course
, ACUTE INFECTIOUS DISEASES. 93 in lambs infected from castration or docking wounds. They may be unable to put the nose to the ground to drink from a pail or even to nurse for as much as two weeks and yet retain their ability to swallow milk given asa drench. During most of this time, they may be able to walk with- out much difficulty and even to run rather swiftly in a straight line, and yet when down be unable to rise without help. These cases when down le on the side with the legs extended stiffly, hori- zontally. In turning when running, they are al- most sure to fall. If they fall in the warm sun- shine and lie there for a time, a very high tem- perature up to 108 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit speedily ensues. Recovery is rare.
Once this affection appears in a flock it is apt to affect as high as twenty-five per cent of the lambs having access to the infected quarters after castration.
Treatment: After the characteristic symptoms appear among sheep, very little can be done. Since the infection oceurs only among flocks having access to a much used corral, the entire band should be moved to other quarters. Immuniza- tion is practical only in high priced animals.
10. Rabies. Hydrophobia; lyssa; mad-dog; canine rage. This disease has assumed importance in the West due to outbreaks among dogs, coyotes and other predatory animals on the range. Much loss has occurred among sheep from this disease, and the zone of infection is constantly increasing.
94 SHEEP DISEASES.
Cause: Unknown. The virus is conveyed by the saliva. Negri bodies found in the brain con- firm the clinical diagnosis. Remarkable success in diagnosing this disease from a blood examina- tion has been reported recently.
Symptoms: In sheep, the period of incubation is unknown; there are practically no prodromal symptoms. In ewes, stamping the feet and a de- sire to butt everything in sight is noticeable. In bucks, the sexual desire is greatly increased. This stage of disease persists for nearly a week, and the animal finally drops to the ground from ex- haustion and dies with paralysis.
The diagnosis can usually be made from the history of the case, together with the character- istic symptoms of the affected animals. Poison- ing is often confused with this ailment by the herders, and in every doubtful case a microscopi- cal examination of the brain should be made, as the autopsy reveals little or nothing.
Treatment: Infected animals should be de- stroyed and the carcasses burned. Extra precau- tions should be observed in watching the actions of the sheep dogs. The Pasteur treatment should immediately be administered to any person bitten by even a suspicious-acting dog. The expense of the Pasteur treatment is too great to be practical for ordinary sheep, although valuable ones may be given the Pasteur treatment. Dr. Zell has re- ported a successful inexpensive prophylactic treatment that he has used to some extent in an experimental way.
ACUTE INFECTIOUS DISEASES. 95
11. Tuberculosis.
Pearly disease; consumption; grapes; ‘‘white plague.’
While sheep are not very susceptible to this disease, government reports for last year show over half-a-million dollars’ worth of mutton con- demned for this disease alone.
Cause: The Bacterium tuberculosis, a very small organism found chiefly in the lymph system. Because of the very extensive literature on this subject only a brief summary is herewith given.
Symptoms: A tuberculous sheep exhibits very few symptoms; a lack of thrift being the most noticeable. The visible mucous membranes are pale, while the wool is harsh and dry. The clin- ical picture greatly resembles infection by stomach worms, and only an autopsy will determine the exact trouble. In suspected eases the intra-dermal tuberculin test may be resorted to.
Treatment: At present, hopeless. An entire change of quarters and breeding stock is advised.
12. Ovine Caseous Lymphadenitis. Pseudo-tuberculosis.
Cause: The Bacillus pseudotuberculosis ovis, a very delicate, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped germ. It stains with anilin dyes and by Gram’s method.
Symptoms: There are no marked symptoms, and the disease is not discovered until after death. Many cases are reported by government inspectors
96 SHEEP DISEASES.
at packing houses; the malady seems widespread over the West.
The lymphatic glands become caseous, and in individuals where great enlargement has taken place, emaciation is present.
Treatment: Nothing but prevention is known at the present time.
13. Actinomycosis. Lumpy jaw; big jaw; wooden tongue.
Cause: Actinomyces bovis, or ray fungus.
Symptoms: Inability to chew food is the first symptom noted, followed by a swelling on the jaw. The tongue may be affected, and the animal suc- cumb to starvation. It is a very rare disease in sheep, but cases are on record.
Treatment: None practical on the ranges, Slaughter under government inspection is perhaps the best method. Where but a single or at most but a few individuals are affected on a small farm the administration of potassium iodid may be re- sorted to. :
14. Glanders.
Sheep have never been known to become in- fected through natural sources. This disease was formerly confused with hemorrhagic septicemia.
15. Contagious Abortion.
Another disease seldom found in sheep. Usually the form of abortion occurring among ewes is due to toxie ingredients found in the food, or to ex- posure and bruises.
ACUTE INFECTIOUS DISEASES. ee
16. Piroplasmosis.
Carceag; ictero-hematuria; malarial catarrhal fever.
A disease not found in this country, but existing principally in the Balkan states.
Cause: Piroplasma ovis, resembling in shape the causative factor of Texas fever in cattle.
Symptoms: High temperature; loss of appetite, and bloody urine.
Treatment: Wholly preventive.
17. Foot Rot. Lip-and-leg ulceration.
Two forms of foot rot are recognized on the western range. One is non-contagious, and is due entirely to wet weather and standing in mud which softens the hoof and produces a condition prac- tically the same as scratches in horses.
The second type of foot rot is caused by the Bacillus necrophorus, which, when affecting the mouth at the same time, is called ‘‘lip-and-leg uleeration,’’ and in some stages might be mis- taken for foot-and-mouth disease by the inexpe- rienced.
Symptoms: The contagious form exhibits very marked symptoms. The affected sheep limps; swollen areas are found around the coronary band, with a separation of the hoof, and little gangren- ous spots having a very putrid odor oceur around the interdigital canal; sometimes the infection ex- tends to the eyes and nose and, in females, to the genital organs.
98 SHEEP DISEASES.
Treatment: Driving the band through a trough containing several inches of copper sulphate solu- tion—one pound to a gallon of water—usually results in improvement. The worst infected feet should be trimmed with a sharp knife before treat- ing. Pure Balsam of Peru is an excellent local application where there is much gangrene.
18. Septicemia.
Blood poisoning; pyema.
This is a term used when invading organisms of the pus or coli communis type enter the cir- culatory system, and cause such specific diseases as navel-ill in the lamb (page 133) or septic me- tritis (page 142) in the ewe, which see.
SECTION VI. DISEASES OF THE BLOOD.
1. Anemia.
Acute anemia may be caused by some form of traumatism, such as may result in a severed blood vessel; or it may be caused by epistaxis or phle- botomy.
Chronic anemia is usually the result of internal parasites, such as stomach worms; external para- sites, as the scab mites, or the ingestion of large quantities of marshy, watery food. Extensive feeding of beets, turnips or other foods deficient in proteids may cause this condition.
Anemia is primarily a symptom of some dis- order.
Symptoms: The manifestations of this ailment are very pronounced in sheep. The skin, instead of being of a pinkish hue, is a paper-like white. Later, the animal becomes dull, loses its appetite, becomes weak, is not able to stand up, and death from suffocation ends the clinical picture.
Treatment: This consists in removing the ex- citing cause, be it parasites, exposure, or lack of exercise and supplying good nourishing food. Some form of iron should be fed the affected animals ad lib.
100 SHEEP DISEASES.
2. Red Water. Sanguineous ascites.
This ailment is due to feeding frosty turnips or other watery roots that have been frozen.
Symptoms: In the morning, upon going out to feed the animals, several sheep will be found to have no appetite. The breathing will be labored, and considerable bloat is present. A swelling is often noticed under the lower jaw and the under side of the neck. Constipation is followed by a profuse diarrhea. The clinical picture greatly re- sembles poisoning.
Treatment: The chances for recovery depend on how long the disorder has been present. If the animal is anemic, young and delicate, the pros- pects for successful treatment are not good. A complete change of quarters, food and water is recommended. The following may be tried:
R ET SCMLORIG esa noee eet ere: Cicet ehchalaaen creak Rohe eee: 5i Olenmi nw GS. ain anv... & Ge eee ee echo, eee 5vili
M. Sig. Give tablespoonful once daily”
3. Pining.
This disease is not found in this country. It oeceurs in England, where many plants are found that have a tendency to constipate. The onset of this disease is very insidious; it runs a course of from a week to a month and ends fatally.
Symptoms: The wool becomes harsh; the eyes dull; the mucous membranes pale, and towards
DISEASES OF THE BLOOD. 101
the end, the sheep hes down a great deal. Finally, it becomes too weak to get up, and dies from inani- tion.
Treatment: The only treatment known to be of value is a change of range, to prevent an ex- tension of the disease. It is possible also that animals in incipient stages of the disease may be saved by this means.
SECTION VII. DISEASES OF METABOLISM. 1. Obesity.
This is a rather rare disease among sheep; al- ways secondary to some other trouble. Cases of non-pathological obesity will be eagerly purchased by the butcher.
2. Rachitis.
Rickets.
This disease is due to a deficiency of lime salts, occurring almost exclusively among lambs.
Symptoms: The animal becomes delicate and does not thrive. The legs become crooked and pliable, and the ‘‘bow-legs’’ in front are very noticeable,
Treatment: Supply the necessary bone-build- ing mineral salts. The following is excellent for lambs:
Sym lactophosphate’ Js...2c.c6s5. sce ecseeeee 5vili Codbliver Olen ete ies Ga ae Bon EA Sele OS 3xvi
M. Sig. One ounce daily with dose syringe.
If the patient is a suckling, the ewe can be given lime-containing foods and the calcium phosphate mixed with molasses and given as an electuary.
3. Wool Eating.
This is more of a habit among sheep than a dis- ease. Usually when a band of sheep are kept in
102
DISEASES OF METABOLISM. 103
close quarters, one or two may become warm and itchy and bite their wool. This leads to more biting and others imitate it. A few animals may die from ingesting too much wool, which form balls in their intestines, causing an obstruction. Others seem not to be affected in any way what- ever.
Treatment: This consists in removing the wool- eaters from the rest of the flock, and giving each one a hypodermic injection of one-tenth grain apomorphin once daily for three or four days.
4. Diabetes.
This is a very rare affection of sheep; the cause is not known. It has been classed variously as a disease of the kidneys, liver and of the blood.
Diabetes msipidus is a condition whereby large quantities of urine, with no excess of sugar, are voided.
Diabetes mellitus indicates that large quantities of sugar are being passed.
Treatment: Slaughter under government super- vision, with a change of diet for the apparently healthy members of the flock.
SECTION VIII.
DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS.
1. Hematuria.
Red corpuscles in the urine, causing the latter to assume a reddish color, is a condition often fol- lowing the ingestion of frozen or poisonous forage, severe injuries to the abdomen, and renal ealeuli.
Treatment: Is purely symptomatic. Clean food, with hygienic care, usually prevents the trouble from extending to other members of the band.
2. Uremia.
Uremia is a condition in which the solid con- stituents of the urine are retained in the blood circulation. |
The exciting cause may be a retention of the urine in the bladder, caused by urinary ealeul, or a paralysis of the latter, due to some form of poisoning. |
Symptoms: It is very difficult to differentiate from poisoning, or abdominal injuries, until one can detect the urinous respiration. After a period of intense pain, stupor and paralysis ensue and the animal dies in a comatose condition.
Treatment: There is no successful treatment, and immediate slaughter should be advised.
104
DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS. 105.
3. Nephritis.
Inflammation of the kidneys; renal inflamma- tion.
This is a secondary condition, following the in- vasion of parasites; infectious diseases; injuries; exposure to cold and rain, and poisonings.
The symptoms are mainly associated with the primary disorder, and as urinary analyses are im- practical in routine work with sheep, very little ean be done.
The treatment is symptomatic and not very suc- cessful.
4. Rare and Unimportant Diseases of the Urinary Organs.
Occasionally diseases of the urinary tract other than those mentioned in the foregoing are found in sheep. Usually they are not recognized until after death. Among these may be mentioned cys- tic kidneys, renal ealeuli, cystitis, and tape worm eysts—the Echinococcus polymorphous.
SECTION IX.
DISEASES OF THE CIRCULATORY ORGANS.
1. Pericarditis.
Due to the fact that the sheep is such a dainty eater we find no traumatic pericarditis such as
“STUNTS” WITH THE LARIAT. A sheep camp is often located 50 to 200 or even 300 miles from the home ranch and the camp tender’s life is a monotonous one.
oceurs in the bovine. Other forms are almost un- known.
2. Dropsy of the Pericardium.
When this occurs it is usually a secondary affec- tion due to poisonings, parasites in the liver, or chronic inflammation of the kidneys.
106
DISEASES OF THE CIRCULATORY ORGANS. 107
3. Hypertrophy of the Heart.
This is a secondary ailment, usually resulting from the effects of parasites in the blood stream.
4. Valvular Diseases.
This is co-incident with, and caused by the same pathological conditions as hypertrophy. of the heart.
COUNTING SIx THOUSAND.
Sheep practice in the range country does not take the veterinarian over paved streets or even surveyed roads.
These diseases of the heart in sheep are rarely, if ever, diagnosed during life. The chief object in mentioning them is to enable the practitioner to guard against invasions of similar nature in the apparently healthy members of the flock.
SECTION X.
DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS.
1. Epistaxis.
Hemorrhage from the nose; nasal hemorrhage; bleeding from the nose.
This is merely a secondary condition, following injuries to the head and nose, parasites, and acute | infectious diseases.
Treatment: When the blood shows no sign of coagulation tampons of absorbent cotton, satu- rated with tincture of iron, tannic acid, alum, tur- pentine or adrenalin chlorid, charcoal or even earth, may be applied.
2. Nasal Catarrh. Snuffles.
This ailment ordinarily results from exposure to the cold or rain; dipping or shearing too early, or from an invasion of parasites. The symptoms are obvious.
Treatment: Mainly consists in removing the exciting cause. Pine tar may be smeared over the nostrils, and the animal given clean, dry quarters. The following given for several days may abort an attack of pneumonia as a complication:
108
DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS. 109
R WTEOSOEIIE CCCI. oder seit chook ovals elieiig) sie scshejeere ete 3ii SSPUS MRC HOMAG I, 6's arcreucale via crcieleta cuss e.eece ae 3i yen Clee Sane Oe area. cre wins sheiileiguise Sure sabe 3viii
M. Sig. Give one tablespoonful three times a day.
3. Non-Parasitic Bronchitis.
Frequently a sequela of nasal catarrh.
Cause, symptoms and treatment practically the same as for nasal catarrh.
Verminous bronchitis, caused by lung worms, is considered in the section on parasites.
4. Japp Disease.
This is a disease not found in this country, but common in parts of Germany. It is characterized by an intense bronchitis. No cause nor cure has yet been discovered.
5. Pneumonia.
Inflammation of the lungs; lung fever; pneu- monitis; and congestion of the lungs.
Three types are recognized in sheep:
a. Parasitic—due to lung worms.
b. Traumatic—caused by drenching.
e. Common congestion of the lungs, caused by exposure; chills; wet weather, and as sequela fol- lowing nasal eatarrh or bronchitis.
Symptoms: These are characteristic, but very difficult to differentiate from acute poisoning, at the onset. Cough; labored respiration; loss of ap- petite; congestion of the visible mucous mem- branes, followed by weakness, are present, and often followed by death. In large bands, as many
110 SHEEP DISEASES.
as fifteen hundred sheep have succumbed within a few days, during a season of wet or cold weather.
Treatment: In no disease are hygienic measures more important, and when these cannot be given, attempts at medical treatment are useless. Cam- phor and creosote, such as has been suggested for nasal eatarrh, or spartein sulphate, given in five- grain doses, hypodermatically, may be given.
6. Pleurisy. -Inflammation of the pleura; pleuritis.
This affection is a common sequela of pneu- monia.
Symptoms: The manifestations are quite char- acteristic. The animal grunts as it breathes, and the flanks are more used than the chest. There is a loss of appetite and suspension of rumination. On percussion, dull sounds are heard on the lower edge of the chest.
Treatment: When this disease has become established, therapeutic measures are more or less useless. In valuable animals, fifteen grain doses of potassium iodid may be given three times a day. The prognosis is grave.
SECTION XI.
DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM.
Disorders of the digestive system probably cause more losses than from all other sources combined. Errors in feeding, parasites, poisons, and preda- tory animals all take their toll of life in large numbers, but all fall far behind those ailments originating in the alimentation in the extent of loss occasioned the sheep industry.
1. Stomatitis. See Section on Diseases of the Lamb (page 137) ; also Foot Rot (page 97), and Foot-and-Mouth Disease (page 90).
2. Choke. Obstruction of the esophagus.
This a rare condition found in sheep, but when it does occasionally occur from the lodgment of a sharp pointed piece of root in the esophagus, great excitement reigns among the sheep herders. They seem to think an animal breathes through its gul- let, and a few moments’ delay will cause suffoca-
tion, and death.
Symptoms: The manifestations of this ailment are very pronounced. Labored breathing; sudden loss of appetite and rumination; bloating; normal temperature, and attempts to swallow, all differ- entiate the clinical picture from acute poisoning for which it may be mistaken at the onset.
1i1
12 SHEEP DISEASES.
Treatment: If the obstruction can be felt in the neck, massage may be tried. An equine catheter may be used as a probang, and the obstruction dislodged by its steady pressure. A quarter grain pilocarpin administered hypodermiecally often gives relief within an hour or so.
The great danger is from the bloating. The use of the trocar should not be neglected if at all indicated, for collapse in sheep occurs when least expected. Due to the heaviness of the fleece we often do not detect intense tympany in sheep until it is too late to save the animal.
In ease the obstruction proves stubborn and ‘“‘watehful waiting’’ avails nothing, immediate slaughter may be advised.
3. Bloat.
Hoven; blasting; meteorism.
This condition is a common one in the West; large numbers of sheep are lost annually from acute bloat. Any kind of forage may cause the trouble, especially after a rain. Wet alfalfa is particularly deadly.
In the fall, after having been on the summer range, the sheep are trailed leisurely back over the rich farming sections to the ‘‘home raneh.”’ Wheat or oats stubble is rented by the sheep man and the animals turned in. Hungry for grain, it is remarkable how much the animals can pick up in a few hours. If there is any alfalfa near and available, trouble may ensue, not only from bloat, but from founder. Quick action is required by the attending veterinarian, and the treatment
DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. 113
heroic. The small dose teaching of text-books must be cast to the winds, and the medicines given in quantities that would cause an inexperienced veterinarian to shudder.
Symptoms: One or more animals stand with a look of helpless pain; respirations are labored, and the abdomen distended in an ‘‘apple-shape.’’ Soon the animal staggers, tries to stand up, but drops to the ground and succumbs in a convulsion, the immediate cause of death being suffocation.
’
Treatment: Thousands of ‘‘sure cures’’ for bloat have been recommended. If they are avail- able, it is suggested that turpentine, oil of eucalyp- tus, aromatic spirits of ammonia, formalin, fresh milk and coal oil be used. As this is a ‘‘first-aid emergency,’’ one must think and act quickly, and be able to use what therapeutic agents are at hand.
We will suppose a hundred head of sheep have had access to a ‘‘big feed,’’ and the animals are not only bloated but foundered. Here we have a complicated condition—a double calamity—and our measures must be directed, first, to lessen the formation of gas, and next, to alleviate the intense congestion of blood in various parts.
Two buckets of medicine are hastily mixed up, each containing two gallons or two hundred and fifty-six ounces, which will treat one hundred and twenty-eight head, giving each animal a two-ounce dose syringe full,
In prescription ‘‘A’’ we figure on giving one drachm each of turpentine, oil of eucalyptus, aro- matic spirits of ammonia in enough raw linseed oil
114 SHEEP DISEASES.
to make two ounces. Consequently our preserip- tion would read: R
Spt. Ammon. Aro. Ol. eucalypti.
OL SWerebinther aac rsh hawk ee rere eee 3xvi OL ain ie Ghee ade +. cere ee ee ets ee Cong. ii M. f. sol.
Sig. One two-ounce syringe full at once. Repeat in fifteen minutes in subacute cases.
For the laminitis, the following can be given as soon as the bloat has subsided to such an extent that the animal seems to be somewhat improved.
R Kali permangan. Ui buaavsrcMcshd yo) MEMS Elen a eetelhy seo ne cle cco Ge 3viii NCUA INO See sal. weer areyorata ers oteretcka eh hove ene Cong. ii M. f. sol.
Sig. One two-ounce dose syringe full an hour after first medicine has been given.
By the use of three or four syringes and group- ing the help in pairs—one to hold the animal, and the other to administer the medicine, a hundred head can be gone over in a few minutes. The main thing to impress on the ones who administer the medicine is to give the half-suffocated animal plenty of time to swallow the drench.
In case the before mentioned drugs are not avail- able, with less suecess one may resort to ground ginger, milk, black pepper, or even whiskey, which is usually available in a sheep camp, although grudgingly supphed for this purpose.
4. Impaction of the Rumen.
This is a chronic bloat or a distension of the rumen caused by fermenting food of a solid nature.
DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. 115
Symptoms: Dullness; loss of appetite and ru- mination; doughy feeling in the flank, the rumen seeming to be of the consistency of a mass of dough.
Treatment: Give one-quarter pound Epsom salt in a quart or so of lukewarm water, to which can be added several drams of aromatic spirits of ammonia or fluid extract ginger. The triple sul- phoecarbolates are also useful in this condition where there is much gas.
5. Grass Staggers. Fardel bound; drying up; staggers.
Impaction of the third stomach (the omasum or manyplies) is a very fatal condition and treat- ment has proven to be of little value. Upon autopsy, the spaces between the leaves of this stomach will be found packed full of dried ma- terial, and the mucous membranes nearly black.
Treatment: Large doses of salts, together with piulocarpin, may do some good and are worth try- ing, but the prognosis should be grave. When delirium is present, perhaps slaughter is the most humane thing that one can do.
6. Constipation. Impaction; clog; twist, wool balls.
In adult sheep this often occurs from dry pas- ture and insufficiency of succulent food and water. Timothy hay will also cause this condition, even with plenty of salt and water. In lambs, wool balls is a frequent cause.
116 SHEEP DISEASES.
Symptoms: Loss of appetite; *‘humped up” appearance; attempts to defecate; colicky pains; and hard masses of feces in the rectum.
Treatment: For a sheep of ordinary size, that is not too ‘‘far gone’’, one may attempt treatment. Four ounces Epsom salt dissolved in a quart of water, to which is added one-half ounce of fluid extract of dioscorea to prevent griping, may be given several times daily for several days. An enema, containing half an ounce of glycerin, is always useful. Laxative food, such as whole oats and bran, equal parts, should be given when the animal regains its appetite. Do not give too much treatment, or the animal may ‘‘die getting well.’’:
In suckling lambs, give the ewe a tablespoonful of sodium hyposulphite per day. The lamb may be given one or two ounces of castor oil, together with an enema.
ie “AGO: Stretches; belly-ache.
In sheep this condition usually arises from eat- ing spoiled forage, frozen roots or mild poisons.
Symptoms: The animal stretches out so far that it appears ‘‘sway-backed,’’ hence the term, ‘‘stretches.’’ It lies down and then gets up again, and appears to be in great pain.
Treatment: In sheep, one-half ounce each of fluid extract diosecorea and sweet spirit of nitre given in a little water has been found to be useful. Tn eases of much fermentation, thirty grains of the sulphocarbolates, with a drachm of fluid ex-
DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. 117
tract ginger, may be given. Turpentine, oil of peppermint, or any of the carminatives or sto- machics may be given.
Lambs may be given one-half the above dosage. The ewe if suckling her young may be fed laxative food, and a tablespoonful of sodium hyposulphite per day.
8. Diarrhea.
The Skit or The Skite.
In sheep three forms may be recognized:
Sporadic or non-infectious diarrhea of the new- born lamb.
Infectious diarrhea. Considered in the section in diseases of the lamb.
Common dysentery of sheep. This is caused by spoiled food; exposure; lack of exercise, or the symptom of some acute poisoning or infectious disease.
Treatment: Successful treatment is largely symptomatic. Immediate removal of the exciting cause is necessary. Twenty grains of subnitrate of bismuth given in a little condensed milk is good. Triple sulphocarbolates, salicylic acid, salol, castor oil, linseed oil, milk of bismuth all have their place, and many more drugs have been usefully em- ployed in this disorder. Hygienic care will do much to alleviate the trouble.
9. Enteritis. Inflammation of the bowels.
Four types of enteritis in sheep are recognized: Simple, or non-toxic enteritis. This type is
118 SHEEP DISEASES.
eaused by chills; eating irritating food; foreign bodies or parasites in the intestinal tract. It is also a sequela of constipation or diarrhea.
Croupous enteritis. This occurs from feeding too much chaffy food, such as ‘‘straw-stack and scenery’’ in the spring, following a hard winter. Dram doses of sodium bicarbonate several times daily, with nourishing foods, seem to do as much good as anything yet tried.
Mycotic enteritis. This is the most common type among sheep. It is due to the ingestion of mouldy or fermenting foods. Thousands of sheep are lost yearly from this disease alone. The trou- ble is especially fatal among pregnant ewes, caus- ing abortion, and later, death from metritis. Often the most painstaking and careful examination is necessary to arrive at a correct diagnosis.
The symptoms are sudden and severe. There is a complete loss of appetite; dullness; colicky pains; constipation, followed by a copious diarrhea, in which are long strings of simy mucus. Paralysis completes the clinical picture, and death occurs in a stupor-like condition. The exact kind of poison or toxie ingredient in the food largely controls the symptoms, and sometimes they are very violent in character. The history of the case, and an autopsy on animals already dead, help one to arrive at a conclusive diagnosis.
The treatment in the main is unsatisfactory, for the ailment has usually progressed too far for me- dicinal aid to accomplish much. Stimulants, anti- ferments, and intestinal antiseptics, together with rectal injections, complete the treatment. Only in
DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. 119
ease of large losses or fear of some contagious dis- ease is expert assistance ever called. - Toxic enteritis. See section on Poisons.
10. Piles.
This condition is very rare in sheep. Complete withdrawal of food for several days, with appli- cations of belladonna ointment to the affected parts, is all that is required.
SECTION XIL DISEASES OF THE LIVER.
1. Icterus.
Jaundice; yellows.
This disease is frequently seen in packing houses. It is very rarely noticed until after slaughter, except in advanced cases. It is com- monly caused by the liver-fluke; for a complete consideration of this subject see the section on Parasitic Diseases of Sheep. Lead poisoning has also been known to cause this disorder.
Treatment: If of parasitic origin, treatment is, of course, out of the question. Laxative food, com- bined with two-ounce doses sodium phosphate, may relieve simple cases,
2. Hepatitis. Inflammation of the liver.
When seen, it is usually the result of feeding on marshy land when the forage is too rich in proteid content.
The only practical treatment consists in change of feed and plenty of exercise.
3. Lupinosis.
See Section on Poisons.
120
SECTION XIII.
DISEASES OF THE PERITONEUM.
1. Ascites,
Dropsy; abdominal dropsy; hydrops ascites.
This is a comparatively common ailment among sheep on the western range, and is not a disease in itself, but the visible symptom of some chronic affection of a vital organ of the body, such as the heart, the kidneys, the lungs, the mesenteric glands or the portal vein.
It is the term applied to the collection of serous fluid found in the peritoneum not due to inflam- mation.
Under the general head of ascites may be men- tioned hydremia, which is an increase of the fluid parts of the blood with a corresponding lessening of the solid constituents. This frequently is seen in parasitic invasions, or in chronic lead or zinc poisoning, and is known among sheepmen of cer- tain localities as ‘‘dry rot.’’
Symptoms: These are self-evident, but the fol- lowing facts should be kept in mind:
a. Gradual enlargement, especially a bulging out posterior to the last pair of ribs. In shorn sheep this is very noticeable.
b. Palpation of the lower part of the abdomen produces the typical dull sounds, indicating the presence of fluid, while the upper part is tense, light and gives a drum-like sound,
121
122 SHEEP DISEASES.
e. Raising and lowering the animal gives forth a ‘‘swishing’’ sound, as the fluids roll back and forward.
d. Holding the animal up by the hind legs accelerates breathing as the fluids roll forward and press on the diaphragm. Also, tipping the sheep to one side causes a distension on that side.
e. Normal temperature.
f. Rumination becomes lessened; the appetite is greatly diminished, and later, the animal be- comes dull, and mopes around. The visible mucous membranes become pale; the body emaciated, and the general verdict around the sheep camp is that the animal has the ‘‘rot.”’ .
The important thing to remember is to differen- tiate this practically incurable, non-contagious dis- ease from:
a. Pregnancy. No disturbance of the health.
b. Peritonitis. In this condition there is pain, fever, with all its attendant disturbances of the general health.
e. Obesity. This occurs usually in old, closely confined animals. Range sheep are seldom trou- bled with this malady.
d. Paralysis of the bladder, or even rupture of that organ, due to urethral caleuli of bucks and wethers. In this trouble there are found colicky pains, high temperature, odor of urine on the breath, followed by collapse and death. In this condition, at the first symptoms, great care must be taken to differentiate the troubles.
e. Other rare but possible ailments, such as pyometra, abdominal cysts, hydrometra, abnor-
DISEASES OF THE PERITONEUM. 123
— ho
mally large tumors, cystic kidneys, degenerated kidneys, or mummified fetuses in ewes. In some eases large quantities of impacted feces have been known to cause the distension of the whole abdo- men.
These have been gone into in detail to prevent the embarrassment consequent upon a superficial examination and a too hasty diagnosis.
Treatment: In cases of long standing, slaughter is advised. If some pure-bred animal of high value contracts this disease during the show circuit, one may alleviate the trouble by giving daily twenty drops fluid extract pilocarpin, or one-half dram each of resublimed iodin and potassium iodid dis- solved in a couple ounces of water.
2. Peritonitis.
Only seen as a secondary condition following bruises, wound infections, enteritis or puerperal infection. The treatment should be symptomatic; the results are usually very unsatisfactory.
SECTION XIV.
DISEASES OF THE BRAIN AND CORD.
Sheep are subject to many disorders of the brain and cord, but most of these are of parasitic or toxic origin, and very little can be done to alleviate the actual condition. We can, however, by careful autopsies, find the existing cause, and take pre- ventive measures to preclude further extension of the trouble.
1. Encephalitis.
Inflammation of the brain.
This is caused by the invasion of the ‘‘gid’’ parasites; fractures of the skull; exposure, and poisons.
There is no known treatment that is satisfactory.
2. Apoplexy.
Under this heading may be grouped sun stroke, heat stroke, epilepsy, fits and convulsions.
It is usually of parasitic origin, except in very warm weather and in animals that are abnormally fat.
Exeept for the removal of the exciting causes, no treatment is practical.
124
DISEASES OF THE BRAIN AND CORD. 125
3. Paralysis.
Frequently a sequela of acute infectious dis- eases, poisons, intestinal parasites, or cysts in the brain. In lambs it is associated with eclampsia of the ewe, both being caused by poor food, ex- posure or the infection that causes abortion.
When of non-parasitic origin, twenty-grain doses of potassium iodid given in an ounce of water several times daily will do as much good as anything.
4. Gid.
See section on Parasites.
SECTION XV.
DISEASES OF THE ORGANS OF LOCOMOTION.
1. Rheumatism.
Cause: Usually damp quarters; exposure; chills, or watery food.
This is a very rare trouble in sheep but some- times appears as an enzootic due to the causes enumerated above.
Symptoms: Sometimes in the first stage, a very high temperature is recorded, with labored respi- ration and stiffness of the gait. This causes the trouble to be very difficult to correctly diagnose on account of the similarity of symptoms found in pneumonia, poisons, and acute infectious dis- eases.
Treatment: Removal of the exciting causes, to- gether with hygienic care. Twenty-grain doses of potassium iodid or ten-grain doses sodium salicyl- ate several times daily may prove beneficial.
126
SECTION XVI.
NON-PARASITIC DISEASES OF THE SKIN.
Only after the most careful examination should a diagnosis of non-parasitic disease of the skin be made, and then it is the best policy to keep a close watch on the affected animals and to isolate them from the apparently healthy ones.
1. Non-Parasitic Itch.
This condition is so rare in sheep as to merely merit the mention that it may and does occur, the exciting causes being rich food, lack of exercise or crowding.
The treatment is removal of the exciting cause.
2. Alopecia.
Falling out of the wool; baldness.
This is frequently seen on the range, and to the inexperienced, looks like scab. Ewes that have lost their lambs and have had severe attacks of mammitis or ‘‘blue bag’”’ are the common victims. Sometimes lack of food and exposure are the con- tributing factors.
No treatment has been found successful, except to let it alone, and in ease of old ewes, prepare them for market.
128 SHEEP DISEASES.
3. Eczema.
This condition may arise from insect stings, eockle-burrs, rain storms followed by rain rot, or tog strong dips.
Five classes of eczema are recognized, although in practical work, everything not scab is com- monly ealled eezema.
Chronic squamous eczema is a disease of para- sitie origin usually, such as liver fluke or lung worms. It may also be due to lack of proper care.
Greasy heels, resulting from muddy or damp ranges or pens.
Fat scab, due to dampness, often called ‘‘rain-: TOU
Solar eczema, due to irritations from the rays of the sun immediately after shearing.
Intertrigo or erythema of the claws and inter- digital space due to friction by sand or the lke getting into the parts,
Treatment: Removal of the exciting causes, and the feeding of light, nourishing foods.
4. Rash.
‘‘Buekwheat rash,’’ as it is called, oeecurs in warm weather in sections of the country where this grain is extensively raised.
5. Acne.
‘
Known as ‘‘summer seab.’’ Closely associated
with eezema.
NON-PARASITIC DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 129
6. Ring-worm.
This affection is very rare in sheep. The disease usually makes its appearance on the neck and back, forming a hard crust over the part in- fected.
Scrubbing the hard scabs until they are soft- ened, and applying tincture of iodin to the raw surface usually results in a speedy recovery.
SECTION XVII.
DISEASES OF OBSCURE ORIGIN.
1. ‘‘Nibbling’’ Disease.
This disease, also known as ‘‘trotting disease,’’ is a very rare affection of sheep in this country, if it oceurs here at all, but is common in Germany. The cause has never been fully determined. It was not known in Germany until the fine-wool breeds were introduced into that country. It is most frequent in young rams.
Symptoms: The first noticeable symptom in a ram is excessive timidity; later, they begin to tremble, and have a very staggery gait. In the latter stages of the disease the animal nibbles itself on the back and loins, and in several weeks to a month, the victim dies of exhaustion. |
Treatment: The most important thing is correct diagnosis. Immediate slaughter is advised, and new blood used in mating. As ‘‘gid’’ produces some similar symptoms, a careful examination must be made to arrive at a correct conclusion.
2. Louping-ill. Mad-staggers or trembles. Another obscure disease not found in this coun- try. Inflammation of the spinal cord from some un- known cause is thought to be the exciting cause. The trembling, twitching, grinding of teeth and
150
DISEASES OF OBSCURE ORIGIN. 131
general paralysis follow in rapid succession, lead- ing to death.
The treatment is merely preventive, such as re- moval to other ranges; the introduction of new blood in the form of unrelated sires, and nourish- ing diet.
3. Big Head.
A peculiar condition found in parts of the West, especially in the arid desert plains. The cause, eure or prevention is absolutely unknown at the present time.
It oceurs in the spring when the sheep are being driven from their winter camps to the forest ranges.
The first symptom is a refusal to eat, and the animal becomes restless as if in great pain. The head begins to swell, and the ears become purplish in color. The clinical picture much resembles pur- pura hemorrhagica in the horse. Death usually takes place in from several hours to a day or two, although some animals recover.
If the ears be searified, a serous fluid, of a shghtly reddish color, oozes forth; the animal seems to prefer to stand in water.
The rough and ready treatment of the sheep man is to throw the affected animal into a puddle of water or a snow-drift, if the latter is available. A certain number get well, but whether this heroic treatment has anything to do with the re- covery is unknown.
4, Pustular Eruption of Lambs.
See section on Diseases of the Lamb (page 137).
SECTION XVIII. DISEASES OF THE LAMB.
1. Congenital Defects.
Imperforate anus, unless quickly discovered, is incurable. If it be diagnosed early, many cases are amenable to surgery.
Hernia or rupture is rare and difficult'to treat. Usually, on the range, the lamb is so stunted that it is knocked in the head. . “Skin drying’’ is caused by the ewe not being able to lick the new-born lamb. Later, its mother will not own it, and, if not attended to promptly, it dies from hunger and cold.
Umbilical hemorrhage or bleeding from the navel sometimes becomes serious. Tincture of iron chlorid applied with a cotton tampon will usually stop the flow of blood. A stimulant should be given, such as a little brandy or aromatic spirits of ammonia.
Suffocation is due to a twist of the umbilical eord during birth, and the lamb is born dead.
2. Reviving ‘‘Lifeless’’ Lambs.
When an apparently lfeless lamb is born, it may be revived in many cases by removing all mucus from the nostrils and mouth; breathing into the nostrils, and working on the chest as in reviving a drowning person. <A very successful
132
DISEASES OF THE LAMB. 133
method, as practised by some breeders, is to im- merse the lamb in.a bucket of water that is about blood warm, pouring in a little hot water, to in- crease the heat. Dry thoroughly, and wrap in a blanket. Later, when it is able to swallow, ad- minister a stimulant.
3. Retention of the Meconium.
When the new-born lamb does not pass feces promptly, it begins to show signs of colicky pains, fever, and soon succumbs to inflammation of the bowels.
The treatment usually successful, if not delayed too long, is an enema of olive oil. A teaspoonful of castor 01] may also be given on the tongue.
4. Navel-ill.
Jomt-ul; blood poisoning; pyo-septicenua of sucklings; omphalophlebitis.
The Bacillus bipolaris septicus, and the Bacillus coli communis, seem responsible for the presence of this disease. They gain entrance to the um- bilicus at birth or when the cord is ruptured. In some cases, it is thought the organisms have entered the circulatory system before birth. It is not such a common disease in lambs as in the foal, but outbreaks occur from time to time.
Symptoms: The disease is very easily recog- nized, for the symptoms are very pronounced and characteristic. The lamb becomes ‘‘dumpish”’ and dull. It has no appetite, and the temperature per rectum will be found to be very high, often
1354 SHEEP DISEASES.
107 degrees Fahrenheit. The stump of the cord assumes a purplish color, and Wharton’s jelly be- comes tinged with pus. Sometimes, the joints be- come enlarged. Later, a copious diarrhea sets in, . followed by an intense cachexia and death.
Treatment: Where a number of lambs are af- fected, the logical thing to do, of course, is to remove the whole band to another place, and, if the weather be suitable, to allow the ewes to lamb in the open.
The pus may be squeezed out of the umbilicus of the affected lamb and hydrogen peroxid in- jected, to be followed by tincture of iodin, tur- pentine, chinosol, pix-cresol, lysol, or any of the’ coal tar preparations. Carbolic acid is not as good as other less coagulating antisepties. Oil of eucalyptus is excellent.
Internally, the lamb may be given twenty grains of the triple sulphocarbolates mixed in a raw egg, three times a day. A tablespoonful castor oil is also beneficial to correct the weakening diarrhea. Stimulants, antiferments, intestinal antiseptics and tonics, such as echinacea, all have their use.
The chances of successful treatment in lambs that show the typical symptoms are not very good, and a grave prognosis should be given. In the treatment of valuable animals, bacterins may be used.
5. Non-Contagious Diarrhea.
This is usually due to some disturbance of the
mother’s health, or to the decomposition of food in the stomach of the new-born. Chills, cold,
DISEASES OF THE LAMB. 135
dampness and milk that is too rich are also com- mon predisposing factors. If not checked, it runs a rapid, fatal course, therefore prompt treatment is essential.
Treatment: The exciting cause should be de- termined, if possible, and removed. Administer to the ewe a tablespoonful sodium hyposulphite twice daily. Milk out the udder thoroughly. Feed her nourishing food, such as bran and oats.
The lamb may be given a tablespoonful of castor oil, to which is added a raw egg and twenty grains of triple sulphocarbolates. Salicylic acid, five grains, in condensed milk, is highly recom- mended. The following prescriptions have given good results, when preceded by an intestinal anti- septic and castor oil:
BR ETE, “PSV OTE 2) BS Sy Geant Aer Ae ex ROE a IR TP A oa ae aA 31 Creosoten, DEECHIWOOd) Baca oes oer ene ree es pee mv DTOSCONC Ane: BOX Whe Spc. sere ord Sova eters wale Se atone he Sil LEE OG TTT | a EN Ree ots aN ele ee ae NM RUN oi, ara ee Ziv M. Sig. Give in two doses, one hour apart.
R ANTS “CENT OLOWO) Ey Op ICE Meee ace we RIAU fentae oun Come Ei Sate epee bre Ne es Sli GP SOSO LC we Re hob oot Oe ee Oh A Be Eye mv DESC AIM DINOS ahytes coon weiter, Keine re oes RW eee 3ii ee CE OED SEIN Cs Soma ty tyts . Meeeele caseeed Soseccen ae te ee ii
M. Sig. Give in two doses two hours apart.
6. White Scours.
Infectious diarrhea; dysenteria neonatorium.
This disease is caused by the Bacillus col com- munis, a small, thick, rod-shaped, motile, non- spore-forming organism, not staining by Gram’s method, but with the aqueous anilin dyes. Other
136 SHEEP DISEASES.
germs are thought to cause or assist in the infee- tion.
Symptoms: Newborn lambs, a day or two old, seem to be the usual victims. The lamb becomes dull; loses its appetite, and the feces passed at the first are a bright yellow, later, a foamy, greyish- white. The wool is matted, and streaks of mucus are found on it. In a short time, the lamb be- comes very weak; the eyes grow glassy, and the victim drops to the floor and dies in a stupor.
The temperature is about normal, and, as death approaches, drops to subnormal.
Treatment: This is not a common disease of the range, but is usually found in low, marshy pas-- tures, or sheds which contain the infection. The logical treatment is to isolate all the apparently healthy lambs, and give the sick ones intestinal antiseptics—a drop of formalin, in a little milk, or sulphoearbolates. The immediate slaughter of those hopelessly affected is advised. Immuniza- tion with bacterins may be tried where the stock is valuable. Prevention is the best method to pur- sue and the most satisfactory to all concerned.
7. Colic.
““Stretches’’; belly-ache.
Considered under the section on Diseases of the Digestive System, page 116.
8. Constipation. Costiveness.
For further treatment see page 115.
DISEASES OF THE LAMB. 13/
9. Pustular Eruption of Lambs.
This is a rare but fatal disease of lambs.
Symptoms: These resemble those of foot-and- mouth disease very closely and experience is re- quired to differentiate. It seems to be contracted from a form of gangrenous mammitis in the ewe, and is very infectious.
Treatment: Mainly quarantine and segregation of the infected. The ulcers on the lips of the lambs and the udders of the ewes may be painted with silver nitrate.
10. Tetanus.
This is very prevalent on the western range, fol- lowing castration, docking and ear marking. It has been considered on page 92 in the section on Acute Infectious Diseases.
11. Stomatitis.
The sporadic form is known as ‘‘sore mouth’’ or p
thrush among sheep men. The contagious form, known as ‘‘necrotic stomatitis. ’’
Symptoms: This condition is so difficult to dis- tinguish from foot-and-mouth disease, that no one should take any chances; if the history will justify the supposition that it may be the latter, notify the nearest representative of the Federal Bureau of Animal Industry by wire.
The simple cases are treated with mild anti- septics, such as boric acid, or weak tincture of iodin.
SECTION XIX. DISEASES OF THE EWE.
In the western sheep raising sections it is re- markable how small the loss is among breeding ewes. This is largely due to constant culling out the ewes that prove to be poor milkers, or that have difficult parturition; those subject to mam- mary troubles, and those that lose their lambs. It is a ‘‘survival of the fittest’’ with breeders aid- ing nature in the selection. Coupled with this is the active life that the ewes lead during preg- naney.
The small bands of sheep, kept under artificial conditions, are the commonest victims of this class of disorders. Lack of exercise, with rich, con- . centrated foods, play an important part in predis- posing to this as to other diseases. These factors, combined with exposure and spoiled forage, are by far the greatest hindrances to suecess with preg- nant ewes. The man who cannot, or will not, recognize these should retire from the sheep busi- ness, or, better still, never embark in it.
1. Disorders of Gestation.
Eliminating spoiled forage or bruises that cause abortion, very little trouble is met with in the
pregnant ewe. 138
DISEASES OF THE EWE. hoo
2. Abortion.
Three types are recognized, the first one being the most common:
Sporadic or accidental, due to some injury or the ingestion of mouldy food. Upon a careful ex- amination of the food for evidences of mould, ergot, pitch or other toxic ingredients, the cause will usually be found. The treatment is removal of the exciting cause. Large doses of intestinal antiseptics or viburnum prunifolium are indicated in those threatened with abortion, together with clean, laxative food and absolute quiet.
Enzootic abortion, due to some infectious dis- ease, such as blackleg, seab, pneumonia or rabies.
Contagious abortion. This is so rare among sheep as to merit but little attention. When this does occur, quarantine measures constitute the only successful means of prevention known. The symptoms are similar to those of contagious abortion in the bovine.
3. Dystocia. Difficult lambing; difficult parturition.
Usually seen in young ewes lambing for the first time, and is due in the majority of cases to a pair of lambs entering the pelvic channel at the same time. They become tangled up in such a way that the most painstaking skill 1s required to ‘‘un- ravel’’ them.
First, restrain the ewe in such a manner that she will be powerless to strain. This may be accomplished by two assistants elevating the ani-
140 SHEEP DISEASES.
mal by holding the hands under the flanks. Have the animal face a corner so she cannot creep away on her front feet.
With the fingers cleansed and disinfected, form them into a cone. For a lubricant as well as a deodorant, one part of oil of eucalyptus in sixteen parts of raw linseed oil is very good. If the lambs are dead, injecting a lysol solution into the vaginal cavity will mask the odor. Repel the lambs, and lubricate the vaginal canal thor- oughly. Now rotate one lamb until as near a nor- mal presentation as possible can be obtained. A small piece of twine or rope can be attached to the feet, and with traction exerted slowly and earefully, the lamb may be pulled out.
When the lambs are taken away, the uterus may be flushed with a good antiseptic solution, and the ewe let down. If she is very weak, a stim- ulant should be given, and a warm blanket thrown over her. Many a valuable ewe can thus be saved. Unfortunately the veterinarian’s fee for services in eases like this is ordinarily more than the ani- mal is worth. This low value of the ewe is the greatest hindrance to the handling of parturient cases in sheep. Under certain circumstances it might be well for veterinarians to make some spe- cial arrangements, as to charges for this work, with the owners of bands where a large number of ewes are to lamb at about the same time.
4. Decomposition of the Fetus.
In many cases a veterinarian is called upon to pass judgment as to whether or not a ewe is preg-
DISEASES OF THE EWE. 141
nant, and, if so, if the fetus is alive or dead. In some instances, this is a very puzzling question.
In situations where the soil is highly impreg- nated with limestone or other mineral salts, one should always guard against the mistake of look- ing for a vaginal or fetid discharge in case of a dead fetus. Mummifications are often present under such conditions, with not a single external symptom visible.
When a ewe has a fetus die within her, and barely pulls through the ordeal with her life, it is a good plan to advise fattening for the market. Adhesions often prevent future normal parturi- tion.
In cases of putrid fetuses in the uterus, flushing out with strong antiseptics and deodorants, and asmall capsule containing twenty grains of potas- sium permanganate and several drams of boric acid may be introduced into the uterus with ad- vantage.
The udder should be attended to, for a violent mamumitis, commonly known as ‘‘blue bag,’’ may take place. Milk out the udder and apply bella- donna ointment.
5. Displacement of the Uterus.
The common term for this ailment is ‘‘down- fall of the lamb-bed,’’ which includes all the ail- ments of the womb from the layman’s standpoint.
Three serious conditions may affect the uterus:
(a) Hernia or rupture of the prepubian tendon.
(b) Torsion or twist of the uterus when preg- nant. Fairly common in the ewe.
142 SHEEP DISEASES.
(c) Deviation of the uterus or complete ever- sion.
Very little can be done to alleviate these condi- tions. As a rule, they are too far advanced to be treated when expert assistance is called.
6. Eclampsia.
Milk disease; milk sickness.
Under this heading is considered parturient paresis, corresponding to the condition of the same name in the cow—the well known ‘‘milk fever.’’
Symptoms: After a normal parturition, and suckling the lamb, the latter dies or is taken away. Within a day or two the first symptoms appear. There is loss of appetite and rumination. The ewe ceases to mourn the loss of her young, and the eyes grow glassy. Coma takes place, and the characteristic symptoms of milk fever in the cow are present.
Treatment: This must be given promptly, and no medicine must be administered by the mouth. One dram of chloral hydrate well dissolved in lukewarm water may be given as a rectal injec- tion, or one-eighth to one-fourth grain morphin given hypodermieally. Atropin, in one-tenth grain doses, may be tried. Inflating the udder, if at all possible, should be tried.
7. Metritis. Inflammation of the womb or uterus.
When this condition occurs, uterine injections of antisepties, stimulants and blood tonies should
DISEASES OF THE EWE. 145
be given. There is very little satisfaction in treat- ing this condition, since, due to previous neglect, the case is usually hopeless at the time the vet- erinarian first sees it.
8. .Mammitis.
Inflammation of the udder; blue bag; caked bag; mastitis.
A rather common ailment in the spring among a band of ewes.
The common treatment is to slash the udder open with a knife, and, if the poor ewe lives through this, to fatten her for the market. By humane methods and a little missionary work, much suffering among ewes may be averted by the veterinarian.
Dissolve a half-pound Epsom salt in a quart of hot water, add an ounce fluid extract phytolacea to this solution; place the animal on her back, and with flannel or cotton, dipped in the solution, apply to the udder. In a few minutes the change will be remarkable. Bathing the udder with the warm solution seems to relieve the intense inflammation. If the lamb is alive, allow it to suckle, as the bunt- ing seems to massage the udder and aid in its restoration to normal. <A tablespoonful of the phytolacea may be administered twice daily for several days with benefit. If the lamb is dead and the ewe is to be dried up, belladonna ointment or eamphor and lard should be applied.
9. Abnormalities of the Milk.
This is not a common condition among ewes. It is not so important as with the dairy cow. Still,
144 SHEEP DISEASES.
one is often asked about these questions, and the following is given for information:
Agalactia or absence of milk. This is a symp- tom, and one of the first symptoms of disease in a milking ewe. A form of infectious agalactia has been observed among ewes and goats. It is of unknown origin.
Watery milk. This is due to an absence of fats and casein; the milk is of a bluish color. By changing the food and administering tonics, the condition may be improved.
Fatty milk. This is found among ewes that have been fed on rich, concentrated foods, such as oil cake, and in ewes suffering from lack of: exercise. Diarrhea ensues among the lambs. The treatment is less food, more exercise and an abun- dant supply of water.
Curdling milk. A symptom of indigestion, mammitis, poisoning, overheating, and of ad- vanced pregnancy. To alleviate this condition, a tablespoonful of sodium hyposulphite may be given once daily.
Fermenting milk. Cause and treatment same as above.
Putrescent milk. Caused by an invasion of bac- teria in the udder. Treatment is the same as for eurdling milk, or fattening for slaughter.
Slimy, stringy and soapy milk, Caused by fungi and bacilli. Rather rare. Treatment similar to that for curdling milk.
Blue milk, due to the Bacillus eyanogenus.
Red milk, caused by the Bacillus prodigiosus.
Yellow milk, caused by the Bacillus synxanthum.
DISEASES OF THE EWE. 145
Foreign matter, such as dirt; abnormal taste, arising from certain foods, as carrots; drugs, as turpentine and asafetida; germs, such as are found in gangrenous mammitis, and blood, may all exist in milk.
10. Sterility.
A long scientific treatise on sterility in the ewe would prove not only impractical but tiresome. The common and best method is to fatten all ewes that prove to be non-breeders. Due to the small vaginal canal of ewes, manual examinations are difficult to make, and even when made often noth- ing abnormal can be noted in non-breeders.
SECTION XX.
DISEASES OF RAMS AND WETHERS.
1. Gravel.
Urinary ealeuli cause serious disturbances in rams and wethers, due to the very small caliber of the male urethra, which is only one-sixteenth of an inch in diameter. It has been noticed that the extensive feeding of sugar beets and mangels will cause gravel, and many animals have been lost from this disorder.
Symptoms: The manifestations of this ailment are very pronounced, though rather hard to dif- ferentiate at the onset. There is sudden loss of appetite; colicky symptoms, with an urinous odor on the breath. Unless slaughtered, the animal soon dies. |
Treatment: Prevention is cliefly to be sought. Mixing a little sodium bicarbonate with the food several times a week is beneficial. Withhold sugar beets or mangels from male sheep.
2. Hernia.
Rupture in sheep usually is not diagnosed until after death. It is a rather rare but fatal condition. Only in valuable animals is an operation advis- able.
146
DISEASES OF RAMS AND WETHERS. 147
3. Bloody Urine.
This condition is merely a symptom of some pri- mary ailment, such as arise from injuries, gravel, poisons, roots or mouldy silage.
Treatment: Symptomatic treatment is about all that can be given. It must be aimed at the causative factor. Whole flaxseed jelly in teaspoon- ful doses given in bran and oats is soothing to the urinary organs.
4. Impotence.
Sterility in the ram usually means fattening for market, as it is not profitable to experiment with a sterile ram. Sometimes finding this out is rather expensive, and it is a good plan to ‘‘try’’ several ewes in heat early in the season before turning the ram into the flock.
It is commonly due to lack of exercise. Range bucks for this reason suffer but little from this condition. Medicinal treatment, if attempted in a valuable animal, must be subordinated to exer- cise to achieve any results. Damiana or yohimbin in small, repeated doses, together with nourishing, but not too concentrated food, may be beneficial.
SECTION XXL SURGICAL DISEASES.
Surgery in the sheep has been of the ‘‘rough
and ready’’ sort, to which the patient was as likely to suecumb as to the original disease or ail- ment. Another thing, the value of the animal, except in the case of pure-bred animals, has never been enough to justify expert assistance.
The sheep, like the ox, is very resistant to pyo- genic infection, and if in good condition soon re- eovers from surgical interference when this is done in a skillful manner.
1. Diseased Teeth.
Often supernumerary teeth are found that inter- fere with rumination and cause the adjacent teeth to decay. Extraction is indicated, and can be performed with a small pair of ‘‘wolf tooth’’ forceps.
2. Concussion of the Brain.
This is comparatively rare, taking into consid- eration the chief method of defense is butting. On the western range, many cases are seen among lambs in the mountainous district, caused by rocks rolling down the mountainside and hitting them on the head.
Symptoms: More or less vague, unless one knows the history of the case. The animal seems
148
SURGICAL DISEASES. 149
in a stupor, while the respirations are small and rapid. Later, the animal becomes weak, assumes a staggery gait, and paleness of the visible mucous membranes is noticeable.
Treatment: Medical interference in these cases is contraindicated, for a drench will enter the lungs. Dashing cold water on the head, and allow- ing the animal perfect quiet is about as good as any treatment known.
3. Abscesses.
Abscesses are rare in sheep, but sometimes may follow shearing. Curetting and irrigating several times with a mild astringent antiseptic, such as one dram potassium permanganate and two drams powdered alum to four ounces of water, is a bene- ficial treatment.
4, Injuries.
These consist mostly of bruises caused by ship- ping or crowding, or by predatory animals.
Often the animal is injured far more seriously than external indications show, and with the best treatment dies from some internal disturbance.
Dressing the injury with tincture of iodin and applying a dry dressing, together with a stimu- lant, is about all that can be done.
5. Suturing.
Very rarely performed in sheep, although in lac- erated wounds such as animal bites, it may be satisfactorily done. With the muscles and skin brought into apposition and held there healing will take place much earlier than otherwise.
150 SHEEP DISEASES.
6. Rumenotomy. Removal of the contents of the rumen or paunch.
This is rarely performed although it has saved the lives of many bloated sheep.
Textbooks give elaborate directions for perform- ing this operation, but in actual practice if one were to follow them out, the majority of sheep would be dead before the contents of the paunech were removed.
If there is time, an area the size of a man’s hand on the left flank should be clipped, and tincture of iodin applied. An incision, running parallel with the last rib, and several inches long is then. made. The contents are removed as rapidly as possible, the walls of the paunch sutured, and the skin brought into apposition with several inter- rupted sutures. Tar is smeared over the wound, and in several days the skin sutures removed.
Sheepmen not infrequently perform this oper- ation with a pen knife and a piece of string for suturing material, and even under these conditions the operation often proves successful.
7. Puncture of the Bladder.
Frequently bucks and wethers are troubled by urinary ecaleuli, which sooner or later close up the urethra and prevent the passage of urine. Surgi- eal textbooks give elaborate procedures in these cases, but after one has tried it several times on sheep he will desist. So many animals ‘‘die get- ting well’’ that it does not give the operator any eredit.
SURGICAL DISEASES. 15]
8. Fractures and Dislocations.
It is remarkable how few broken limbs or even dislocated joints occur among sheep. Grazing on precipitous cliffs that defy any human being to -climb, jumping across narrow ravines, or even running headlong down a steep bluff, few acci- dents occur, and these are usually among lambs.
The treatment of fractures in lambs is simple. First, dust boric acid or taleum powder over the affected part. Apply an inch layer of cotton, over which lay half a dozen wire or wooden splints after adjusting the ends of the bones. Bind with gauze bandage, not too tight, allowing for future swelling. The lamb can be carried along in the camp-tender’s wagon, for several days, and it is amazing how soon it recovers the use of the limb,
Dislocations, sprains, bruises and twisted joints are rather difficult to treat, rest being the most important factor. Applying saturated solutions of magnesium sulphate, and later, a solution com- posed of two drams fluid extract belladonna and one dram lead acetate in half pint of water, will often prove beneficial. Sometimes iodin compound ointment is as good as anything. Blistering med- icaments are not indicated.
9. Amputation of the Claws.
This is often necessary in foot rot, and consists in cutting away the diseased part with a sharp knife. Tincture of iron, creolin, balsam of Peru or any good antiseptic can be smeared over the part. The balsam of Peru gives splendid results, but is rather expensive for sheep.
152 SHEEP DISEASES.
10. Panaritium. Canker of the foot.
Sometimes brought on by bruises and the con- sequent infection by the bacillus necrosis. Other times by excessive damp weather and ranging in low, marshy pastures.
The treatment is largely hygienic; removal from the damp or infected quarters, and driving through a trough containing several inches of blue vitriol solution—one pound to five gallons of water, or even stronger. In very severe cases, one dram of formalin to two ounces of glycerin, or a paste composed of equal parts of flour and chlorid of zine, may be applied with much benefit.
SECTION XXII. PARASITIC DISEASES.
Experienced men will corroborate the state- ment that more sheep are lost from invasions of parasites than from all other causes com- bined, with the possible exception of digestive disorders. Before the days when scab was under control, parasites were, even more than at pres- ent, the scourge of the sheep business.
Sheep seem to have very little power to re- sist these pests, and when once infected, not only succumb but spread infection among others. In many instances, the vitality is so lessened by parasitic invasion, that although death does not result, little gain is made in weight or wool be- eause of the devitalizing effect of the parasitic infestation. The animal is in a fit condition to be earried away by trivial diseases, that in perfect health would be resisted with little trouble.
It is of the greatest importance in this class of diseases to quickly discover the inciting cause. This is most vital; treatment of the infected in- dividual or individuals being secondary. Stock- men do not care for finely spun theories or for prolonged scientific explanation of the probable eause of an epizootic among their flocks; they do not appreciate the beauties of science, and care little for the life-history of the pest. What they most earnestly desire and are willing to pay
153
154 SHEEP DISEASES.
for, is final results. The time to explain how to prevent a recurrence of the trouble is after the epizootic has been brought under control or eradicated.
In the sheep raising section on the western range only five parasites are common; two ex- ternal, the common seab mite and the sheep tick; three internal, the stomach worm, the liver-fluke and the ‘‘gid’’ or ‘‘turnsick.’’
A. EXTERNAL PARASITES. 1. Sheep Scab.
Common scab; mange; itch; scurf; St. An- thony’s fire; wildfire; erysipelas; dry scab; dry rot, and ringworm.
Sheep seab is caused by the Psoroptes communis ovis; order Acarina; class Arachnida.
The seab mite is a nearly round, rather light colored parasite, the female measuring about » one-fortieth of an inch in length, and the male nearly one-fiftieth. By placing the mites on a sheet of black carbon paper and holding this in the sunlight, they can be seen easily.
After mating, the female deposits about a «lozen eges at the base of the wool fibers. These eges hatch in three or four days; in a week the young will have matured, and in three or four days more they will have mated and the female laid her eggs. Gerlach estimates that the en- tire life cycle of the psoroptes mite is completed within fifteen days. Using these figures as a basis for calculation, it has been estimated that
PARASITIC DISEASES. 155
the progeny of a single pair of mites may at- tain to the astounding number 150,000,000 in about four months!
Symptoms: ‘T’o the experienced, the symptoms of scab are very plain. When a sheep becomes
/
Sukrep-scaBp Mire (Psoroptes ovis). Male. Dorsal view greatly enlarged. (After Salmon and Stiles, 189s.)
infested with one or more mites, small inflamed zones occur where the mite pierces the skin to obtain food. This is followed by itching and the formation of papules, and, as the mites multiply in numbers, the area of inflammation rapidly
156 SHEEP DISEASES.
increases. Serum oozes from the papules, and it is in this stage that the disease is first noticed. When bedded down, the infected animal will get
SHEEP-SCAB MITE (Psoroptes ovis). Female. Dorsal view, greatly enlarged. (After Salmon and Stiles, 1898.)
up and bite or rub its body against another or some tree or post.
The wool begins to get ‘‘taggy,’’ and soon com- mences to fall out. Crusts form on the skin from the dried exudate. It is under the crusts that the mites live.
PARASITIC DISEASES. 10/
Depending on the severity of the infection, the disease progresses until the animal never seems to be at rest. It becomes thin; the wool falls out in patches usually along the flanks and back; larger and larger areas of the skin become in- flamed and covered with crusts; others become in- fected, and soon the whole band is one rubbing, biting, seratching mass of distracted sheep.
Differential diagnosis: Practically the only way to become familiar with the disease is to see a genuine ease. After this, the rest is com- paratively easy.
Wool that has fallen out due to ‘‘blue bag’’ in ewes, or to exposures, leaves a soft, normal skin. There is nothing but a ‘‘bald spot’’ with no pim- ples, vesicles, papules or inflammatory zones.
Eezema of the various types merely shows a reddening of the skin without the thickening that accompanies ‘‘seab.’’
In sheep work it is always safe to think of scab first, in suspicious cases, and to act accordingly. This will protect the veterimarian and the owner, even if it does put the latter to a little ineon- venience.
Treatment: As is well known, dipping and quarantine have nearly eradicated this disease from our country. The subject of quarantines has been taken up in the section on Federal and State regulations.
Dipping with ‘‘lime-and-sulphur’’ has been the mainstay on the western range, the official dip being prepared as follows:
158 SHEEP DISEASES.
Unislakedh Himes so takarcpstetaite thee are have cnet 8 pounds KiowersoL sulphur .de eck career 24 pounds Waters le: 25 as taliene Gps orreke nba eae pecan eee 100 gallons
The lime should be placed in a water-tight box or large bucket, and sufficient water added to make a thin paste. Sift. the sulphur in slowly, mixing lime, until the lime and sulphur is about the consistency of mortar. <A kettle with 30 gal-
First stage of scab on shoulder, showing natural position of
wool disturbed by biting and scratching. U.S. Dept. Agr. Bul. 71.
lons of water now receives this paste, and it is boiled for two hours. Water should be added to keep the total quantity up to thirty gallons. It should be stirred well with a mortar hoe, while boiling, to keep the paste from caking on the bottom of the kettle. After boiling for two hours, this ‘‘concentrate’’ should be placed in a barrel
PARASITIC DISEASES. 159
to settle, with a bunghole four or five inches from the bottom. If the sediment be mixed up in the dip it will injure the wool, or may harm the eyes of the sheep.
When ready to dip, draw off this clear liquid from the settling barrel into the dipping vat, and add 70 gallons of water, warmed so that the
Lregenp—Characteristic scab lesion in early stages of disease. U.S. Dept. Agr. Bul. 713.
whole mixture is about 100 to 103 degrees Fahb- renheit, or in warm climates, several degrees higher.
The size of the dipping vat should depend upon the number of sheep to be dipped and as minute directions for the whole operation are given in government regulations, this phase of the subject need not be taken up in detail here.
In dipping sheep each one is ducked ‘‘head under’’ onee, and kept in the solution for at least two minutes.
160 SHEEP DISEASES.
In cases where the scabs are extensive, ‘‘hand- dressing’’ should be done to soften the crusts. There are a thousand and one methods of making up the dip and procedures in dipping. In actual practice one soon learns to make the best of facilities at hand, and forget the specific in-
LEGEND—Scabby buck with entire hindquarters and flank af- fected. The discolored area is due to dip stain from hand dressing.
U.S. Dept. Agr. Bul. 713.
structions laid down by some person who has pos- sibly never been within a thousand miles of a real sheep camp. The man who is ingenious along these lines, and who ean ‘‘get along’’ with the sheep men, is one of the most valuable assets that the Federal or state governments can pos- sess. Unfortunately, merit has been little recog-
PARASITIC DISEASES. 161
nized by either, and officials who have done noth- ing but antagonize the rank and file of sheep men are kept in localities year after year where their usefulness is greatly impaired if not actually lost. This is one reason why so much enmity exists upon the subject of ‘‘scab.’’
When ticks are present with the scab mites, the tobacco or nicotin dips are probably pref- erable, for they exterminate ticks better than lime-and-sulphur. These are made up in several different formulae, two of which are given:
EO DAC CO Wwe aie tace iste ioe onst greta a otelev aie ahel odsiernatets 30 pounds RPMI Hatter peesy cua ec’ dncraferaisoe Wises als ste snatarch ere oS 7 pounds ConcenibraledalyGar.. «as ote ohare odie e aes 3 pounds IY UST ee ca Coho BOI aon ae RC a BE 100 gallons
Steep the tobacco in warm water for about a day, pour off the solution, and add the sulphur, lye and water sufficient to make up 100 gallons. Stir while using, taking the same precautions to keep the dip warm as with the common lime- and-sulphur dip.
The nicotin dip is made up as lace
INGUIN aie ceiceinies oe Four-tenths of a pound RO WMerseOt. SUlpl irs saw es lccie late cloister ae 16 pounds WV eTare mies kane Seam cu daicmeteesl store. eseeseeae tars 96 gallons
Mix the nicotin and sulphur together in a quan- tity of warm water, and add to the rest of the water in the dipping vat. Keep a close watch on the evaporation, as it may become too strong.
The nicotin solution found on the market con- tains a statement on the package of the amount of absolute nicotin, and the correct amount to make up the above can easily be figured out from this basis.
162 SHEEP DISEASES.
In making up dips one should take into con- sideration the severity of the infection; the state of weather; the kind of sheep; the hardness of erusts, and the facilities for dipping and _ heat- ing the water. This requires judgment and ex- perience.
The sediment from the dipping vats is usually diluted and thrown around the corrals or pens as a disinfectant.
Many other dips are used with good success. Coal tars, arsenicals, car- bolic acid, potassium sul- phid and patent dips are all on the market. Since the war, the prices of certain chemicals
have so risen that the Sena. Wikia Donal. eld lime-and-sulphimeiia view, enlarged. _ gained somewhat in (From Curtice, 1590.) popularity.
To eradicate scab from a band of sheep, every member of the flock should be dipped two or three times; kept under close supervision, and at the least symptoms of its recurrence, re- dipped.
The vitality of the mite egg or the mite itself is exceedingly great, although the exact length of life is unknown. However, it is not considered good policy to drive sheep into a corral or pen that has been infested within a year.
PARASITIC DISEASES. 163
2. Head Scab.
Sarcoptes scabet ovis.
This is the smallest of the three varieties of scab mites. It usually burrows under the skin around the nostrils first, causing small light pim- ples. The sheep scratches its nose as though in- fected with the ‘‘grub.’’
This is not a common disease, and ‘‘hand dressing’’ with any good dip will usually clear up the trouble.
3. Foot Scab. Symbiotes scaber ovis.
These are rather large mites, and cause irritation on the feet and legs. The symptoms are biting Suzzr Louse and stamping, with crust - like
(Trichodectes formations.
sphaer o- : .
Genhalus).. This malady is a rare one, and
eae is treated by applying a lather of
(AtterG. Neumann, goap-suds or olive oil to loosen the
crusts, and then scrubbing with a ten per cent. solution of creolin.
In all forms of seab, of course, the pens or corrals must be disinfected, if the work be done
during the winter season.
4. Sheep Ticks. Melophagus ovimus. This is a six-legged, brownish-colored, mot- tled parasite, resembling a wingless fly. It spends its entire life on the sheep, the female laying
164 SHEEP DISEASES.
about fifteen eggs, which hatch in about three weeks, the exact period depending somewhat on weather conditions. |
While not so destructive as the scab mite, the tick causes a great deal of damage by blood suck- ing, in lambs, often stunting the growth.
It is not an essentially infectious parasite, as it prefers to stay close to its old home.
Swingle of Wyoming found a sheep can be kept free of ticks by keeping a_ three-foot partition between it and infected animals.
Coal tar or tobacco dips are recommended to eradicate this pest, and two dippings, two Surep Foor Louse (Haemato- ‘ays apart, will usually
pinus pedalis). Adult fe elear up the trouble.
male and egg, enlarged. :
(From Osborn, 1896.) It is the common pro- cedure in the western states to dip the animals after shearing; this is not only beneficial to the fleece but rids the animal of ticks, lice and fleas, as well.
In the west the ticks are very numerous on the sheep in the spring, but after shearing they leave the older sheep and are found principally on the lambs. Later, when the whole band are driven up in the mountains for summer range, practically no ticks are found at all in the band. During the winter they become numerous again, and do an incalculable amount of damage by suck- ing the blood and causing a constant irritation.
PARASITIC DISEASES. 165
5. Lice.
Trichocephalus spherocephalus; common sheep louse.
This is a very small white and reddish brown parasite, measuring about one-twentieth of an inch in length. The eggs are laid at the base of the wool fibers.
Only a very careful examination reveals the true cause of the irritation, as the symptoms are much like seab. In the heat of the day, the lice will be found to be sticking to the outer end of the wool fiber.
If many animals are infected dipping with any coal tar dip is advisable. If only a few, an oint- ment composed of equal parts lard and sulphur, rubbed into the affected parts, will soon eradicate the lice.
6. Maggots.
Embryo of the Musca vomitorium or common blow-fly. .
This is one of the most serious pests with which the sheep man has to contend. When a sheep is accidentally cut during shearing, or re- ceives some other injury breaking the skin, the blow-fly attacks the helpless animal. Sometimes the wool becomes overlaid with fetid discharges such as urine, feces, or pus, and here the fly lays her eggs. Soon a festering mass of maggots are present, and which in a large band are often not discovered until the animal is nearly dead.
The treatment consists in getting the maggots out of the sore, and painting the edges with tine-
166 SHEEP DISEASES.
ture of iodin. As turpentine is a common house- hold remedy, this may be used. A little ether mixed with sweet oil has a tendency to bring out all maggots that are deeply buried. Solutions of creolin are useful, or even coal oil (kerosene) may be used.
The best thing is prevention. In case of in- juries, smear pine tar over the part, or equal parts lard and sulphur. All taggy wool should be clipped.
7. Fleas.
Pulex irritans [human]; Pulex serraticeps [dog|; Pulex avium: [bird].
These rarely attack sheep. It is sufficient to merely draw attention to their existence. In cer- tain localities, however, they are very prevalent.
Dusting the animal well with Persian insect powder and disinfecting the pen or corral with ereolin or lime will eradicate these pests.
8. Flies.
Under this heading come gnats, sandflies, mos- quitoes and other winged parasites. Flies of peculiar economic value to the sheep industry, such as the Musca vomitorium (adult of the mag- got) and the Estrus ovis (adult of the grub in the head), have been considered at length under their respective headings.
B. INTERNAL PARASITES.
Fortunately, due to the high altitude of the common sheep ranges in the west, very few in-
PARASITIC DISEASES. 167
ternal parasites attack sheep. Only in isolated localities are these found, and then usually in low sections of the country, or in places long de- voted to sheep husbandry.
| 1.- Gid.
Sturdy; turnsick.
This ailment is due to the larva or hydatid phase of the tapeworm, the Tae- nia coenurus.
The eggs of this tapeworm are distributed around the pens or corrals by carnivorous animals, & chiefly dogs. Other animals, e such as the coyote, wolf or fox, may also be the host of this tape- worm.
After the eggs are ingested by the sheep, it is supposed that they hatch and the embryos Estrus Ovis. gain entrance to the circulatory } oe ane system by piercing the walls of : the stomach, although our knowledge of their life history is incomplete. Those that reach the brain or spinal cord develop into large cysts, and cause this fatal malady among sheep.
Symptoms: The manifestations of gid are general in character, and at first one may suspect rabies, or some form of poison, but the coma that soon follows, and an autopsy, will re- veal the true cause. The animal becomes dull, with loss of appetite. Later, it begins to stagger around in more or less of a circle, hence the old
168 SHEEP DISEASES.
name, ‘‘turnsick.’’ Finally, it falls down and dies in a convulsion.
The fact that there is no sneezing or nasal eatarrh in gid differentiates it from grub in the head.
Treatment: This is unsuccessful, prevention being the only logical method to pursue. Treat the sheep dogs with a vermifuge, such as the following:
UL Vamp aneGa, MITGis os Retin pieis rove tcial cietenek be eaten gr. XxX IVE le gehen te Gees crite mi tants ate. pk re me cena 3i AE UTP CIMCUINE yathcvavoicactoval cose euen che la akctoh aw aie estan Reinke m.x M. f. cap.
Starve the dog all day, allowing plenty of» water. In the evening, give the above, and the next morning administer four tablespoonfuls eastor oil. Do not allow the dog to run over the sheep pasture. This is the average dose for a forty pound dog. Stray dogs are best treated with lead administered with a well aimed gun.
Where sheep are known to be infected, all heads of dead animals should be burned and not fed to the dogs or left for coyotes.
2. Grub in the Head. Grub; gleet; nasal catarrh.
Cause: The sheep bot-fly, Estrus ovis, de- posits living larvae in the nostrils of sheep. These crawl up into the nasal cavities, causing a violent catarrh, and, in severe invasions, death. Loss of weight and lack of thrift always occur. In some localities, they are a very serious menace.
PARASITIC DISEASES. 169
Symptoms: These are very pronounced. The infected animal runs around snuffing as though it had something in its nose. The rest of the band keep their noses close to the ground and show signs of fear. Later, the infected sheep lies down, sneezes, rolls its head in every con- ceivable shape and exhibits the greatest of ex- citement. The eyes grow watery while the nasal membranes are inflamed.
To differentiate from gid is comparatively easy. There is no violent staggering around in a circle, and no disturbance of the functions of the nervous system, the nasal catarrh being the most prominent symptom.
Treatment: After infection, this is practically hopeless. Some good results have been reported by mixing snuff in olive oil and pouring it in - the nose, while holding the victim on its back. Wire snares formed of small loops have also been tried.
Prevention is the only logical procedure. Keep the nose well smeared with tar. In a large band, this is done by boring large holes in a plank, smearing the edges with tar, and filling up with salt.
3. Lung Worms. Hoose; husk; snots; verminous bronchitis.
The Strongylus filaria, a small, reddish-brown round worm, less than an inch long, and about as thick as a thread, is the parasite responsible for this disastrous disease.
The life history of this worm is not exactly
170 SHEEP DISEASES.
known. According to some investigators, the worms deposit their ova in the air passages of the infected animal, and the embryos are expelled either through the sneezing of the animal, or through the feces. They can live in several in- termediate hosts, such as the angleworm, and when a sheep or a lamb eats or drinks in the in- fected locality, the parasite reaches the air pas- sages. Here again they pass through another life eyele, which is repeated with startling rapidity.
Symptoms: The evidences of this ailment are most pronounced in lambs, and depend upon the number of parasites present. First, there is a pronounced anemia, commonly known as ‘‘paper- skin.’’ A broncho-pneumonia is next seen, accom- panied by a short, hacking cough. The nose is rubbed on a log, and the victim breathes with diffi- eulty. Toward the last, a diarrhea sets in, and the animal staggers around, until it falls to the ground, never again to rise.
Treatment: This is useless when the lungs are infested, or the disease in the last stage. If the worms are in the trachea, one dram of gaso- lin may be injected intratracheally.
Prevention is far more satisfactory than treatment of affected animals. Separate the healthy from the sick, and keep on high ground. Infested pastures should not be grazed for a year or two. The disease is seen at its worst in the fall, following a wet summer.
PARASITIC DISEASES. LEE
4, Stomach Worms. This is one of the most serious ailments that affect sheep, especially is it serious in the young. Another member of the Strongyles, the Stron- eylus contortus, a brownish colored thread worm, is the cause of this ailment.
The life history of this parasite has not been worked out definitely. It is the common sup- position that the ova are voided by in the feces of the infected animals; other sheep pick them up on the grass or in the water, and thus spread the infection.
This parasite prefers a cool, damp _ habitat, and experienced observers have pointed out the fact that the infection is usually acquired around shade trees where the lambs play during the heat of the day. On desert ranges, in sandy or vol- canie ash soil, very little trouble is experienced.
Symptoms: The experienced eye will easily detect the symptoms of this disease. Along in July or August, the infected animal begins to hang back from the rest of the band. ‘‘Off color,’’ says the herder. Emaciation becomes notice- able, and the walk is hesitating, like a sick person getting out of bed and taking a first few steps. The wool becomes harsh and rough, and the lamb becomes very weak. Later, the victim staggers about, keeping from tumbling on the ground by the greatest of efforts. A swelling comes on the lower jaw, just between the angles of the inferior maxillae, while the visible mucous membranes are pale, and the skin like parchment. Depend-
172 SHEEP DISEASES.
ing on the severity of the invasion, death may take place in from two weeks to two months.
A postmortem examination reveals the pres- ence of clumps of reddish-brown worms, about half an inch long, and size of a hair, living in a brown liquid, in the lower part of the fourth stomach or abomasum.
Treatment: In a small band of sheep, treat- ment can be instituted with a fair degree of suc- cess if started in time. Segregate all suspected cases and keep them in a corral. Drive the ap- parently healthy ones to another pasture, pref- erably a high and dry one. Keep all food away from the ones to be treated for a whole day, al- lowing plenty of water. That evening give to an ordinary lamb one-half ounce each of gasolin and raw linseed oil, to which may be added four ounces of fresh cow’s milk. Repeat this dosage for three evenings, allowing food several hours after giving each dose of medicine. Very weak lambs may be fed more often, and a little stim- ulant given. Ten days later, give another course of this same treatment.
Prevention of stomach worms is more to be de- sired than any treatment however successful. It is best accomplished by frequent change of pasture. In case this is impossible, it is a good plan to go out of the sheep business, for stomach worms and profit do not go hand in hand. Fight- ing this disease is not only an expensive battle, but an uphill task as well.
PARASITIC DISEASES. 1735
5. Liver Rot.
Distomatosis.
This is a disease of deadly importance in low- lying countries but is not common to the sheep raising sections of the west. The sheep is naturally an in- habitant of high altitudes; this factor is in its favor, since to a large extent it keeps it away from noxious parasites to which it is so susceptible.
DistoMA HEPATICUM.
2 a. Intestines. Feeders who prepare the aerate can ey eo best mutton for market, and c. Ventral sucker. é ~ ™ | b heh d. Uterus. who buy western lambs tha era ee ‘*Pathology.’’)
have never lost a feed and that have spent their lives at an altitude of from three to ten thousand feet above sea level, will sustain me in making this statement.
Liver rot is due to the Distoma hepaticum or Fasciola hepaticum; commonly called the liver- fluke.
The life history of the fluke is an interesting one, and may be briefly given as follows: The feces of infected animals contain the embryos which mature in about six weeks under favorable conditions. They then bore their way into the bodies of fresh-water snails, and after passing through certain cycles, emerge as cysts. When these are taken in by sheep in either food or water, they undergo a further development and migrate into the bile duct and on into the liver.
174 SHEEP DISEASES.
Just how long a period is spent in the liver is as yet undetermined; nor does the sheep owner eare. What he wants to know is how to keep the flukes out of his animals entirely.
Treatment is hopeless. Prevention is the only rational course to pursue. Do not attempt to graze sheep in infected lands. Disinfecting water troughs, if those are used, is a good precaution- ary measure.
6. Tapeworms.
Monieza [Taenia] expansa is the largest of all tapeworms. It is the cause of the so-called ‘‘tape- worm plague’’ in lambs. This is a very rapid - growing cestode, accounts being on record of a month old lamb containing a thirty-six foot tape- worm in its intestinal tract.
Momeza |Taenia| alba is a rather short, trans- parent tapeworm.
Several other varieties of tapeworms are some- times found in sheep, but as they are never dis- covered until after slaughter, little attention need be given them from a practical standpoint.
Symptoms: The symptoms of tapeworm in- festation are a gradual anemia and lack of thrift on good range. Many eases do not show any symptoms whatever.
Treatment: This, as with the foregoing, is largely a matter of prevention. If the ailment can be diagnosed from previous histories of in- fection in the same band, the following should be given: Starve the lamb all day, allowing suf-
PARASITIC DISEASES. 175
ficient water. At night, given a_ teaspoonful turpentine in several ounces raw linseed oil; oleo- resin of male fern may be substituted for the turpentine.
7. Esophagostoma Columbianum.
This minute parasite is the cause of the com- mon ‘‘nodular disease’’ so often seen in packing houses, where large numbers of sheep are slaugh- tered. The nodules vary in size; the older and larger ones being calcareous, while the smaller ones contain the parasite embedded in a mucu- purulent matter.
The symptoms are so obscure that the presence of the parasite is not discovered until after slaughter.
Treatment is hopeless. Prevention is the pro- cedure for which to strive, and this is not thor- oughly understood. The high dry ranges of the extreme West seem infested, and each year more western lambs are affected.
8. Sarcosporidiosis.
Sarcocystis tenella; Miescher’s tubules.
A class of minute parasites infecting the mus- cular tissues of animals, also known as ‘‘Mies- cher’s tubules.’’ It is becoming a very common parasite.
Animals grazed in swampy pastures or near a pond seem to be more commonly affected. Later
176 SHEEP DISEASES.
investigations seem to show that other animals may be the distributing agent, the sheep being the definitive host.
No antemortem Symptoms are recog- ‘nized, and no treatment nor means of prevention is at present known. Re- moval to a high, dry range, and watering from running streams might prevent the para- site from gaining a hold in the band.
SAcs OF MIESCHER FROM While the meat of a MUSCLES. carcass of mutton af- (After Ziegler.) - .
fected with this para-
site is edible, the numerous hemorrhagic spots ren-
der it rather unsalable. The diaphragm, perito-
neum and other abdominal muscles are the parts commonly affected.
9. Rare Parasites.
Several other rare parasites infest the diges- tive tract and circulatory systems of sheep, but they are interesting merely from a_ scientific point of view, and have no practical significance, to the practitioner.
Original water color from collection in Smithsonian Institution by Walpole AHOENS.CO. BALTIMORE
DEATH CAMAS (Zygadenus venenosus)
“Permission Will C. Barnes ‘Western Grazing Grounds and Forest Ranges’”
SECTION XXIII. POISONS.
Closely approaching in extent the losses among sheep due to parasites are the losses from poison- ing. The poisons destructive to sheep naturally fall into three classes, as follows:
A. Mineral Poisons. B. Vegetable Poisons. C. Animal Poisons.
On the Western ranges whole bands of sheep, numbering several thousand each, have been wiped out in a week, sometimes even in a single day, from eating poisonous plants or drinking water impregnated with some unsuspected toxic matter.
It is a well known fact that certain localities abundantly supplied with springs are uniformly deadly to sheep. Sometimes only one certain pas- ture or part of a gulch is affected in this way.
In the mountain ranges a great variety of ore formations occur, such as lead, zine, copper, sil- ver and gold, salts of which sheep may ingest with their food or drink. Sometimes the poisoning as- sumes a chronic form, due to the fumes from smelters being deposited on the grass that is eaten by the animals. The diagnosis in these cases is extremely difficult. In sections of the country poisons, such as strychnin, phosphorus and ar-
177
178 SHEEP DISEASES.
senic, are used to eradicate predatory animals or squirrels, and not infrequently are distributed where sheep have access to them or are washed to such locations by surface drainage.
In treating cases of poisoning, one should re- member the three cardinal principles of toxicology which consist in administering:
First: Chemical antidotes; substances that change the composition of the poison into some- thing inert.
Second: Mechanical antidotes; substances that surround the poison and protect the absorbing tis- sues.
Third: Physiological antidotes; substances that antagonize the action of the poison by neutralizing its effects on the animal.
Keeping these facts in mind, one can often use ingenuity in selecting substances with which to treat poisoned animals, where the proper anti- dote is not to be had, a condition that is often the case since sheep are usually found in the most inaccessible parts of the country.
A. MINERAL POISONS. 1. Acute Lead Poisoning.
Acute lead poisoning is rather rare in sheep, but it sometimes occurs in early spring.
Symptoms: Colic, with bloating; suppression of the urine; slow, wiry pulse, with labored breath- ing; gradual weakness, followed by convulsions and death within a few hours.
POISONS. 79
Treatment: Dilute sulphuric acid (a 10 per cent solution of the official dilute acid), commonly ealled ‘‘oil of vitriol,’’ in one dram doses, given in a pint of water, forms insoluble lead sulphate.
Epsom or Glauber’s salts in one ounce doses dissolved in a pint of water, or a teaspoonful of sulphur mixed with molasses and smeared on the tongue may be given. A dram of potassium per- manganate dissolved in a pint of cold water is always good treatment, and may be administered when the exact cause of the poisoning is not known.
Small doses of morphin, atropin, or glonoin may be given hypodermieally, or chloral hydrate may be given per rectum.
Treatment in acute cases of lead poisoning is not very successful, as the animals are usually too badly affected to even drench.
Postmortem appearances: Only slight changes are noticeable; this is especially true of the apo- plectic form where the animals are found dying in convulsions.
2. Chronic Lead Poisoning.
This is sometimes seen where lead mines are found, or in the vicinity of smelters where the fumes are blown on the grass.
Symptoms: Gradual emaciation, colic, bluish eolor around the gums followed by death from general weakness.
One must be guided largely by the history of the case, and this is comparatively easy when one is familiar with the country. Old or working
180 SHEEP DISEASES.
lead mines or smelters may give one a clue as to the cause of the trouble.
Treatment: One-half dram doses of potassium iodid dissolved in a pint of water will hasten the removal of the poison by transforming the lead into lead iodid. Gum acacia in water or raw eggs help to protect the mucous membranes.
Postmortem appearances: -Paleness of the in- testinal mucosa; ulcers and lead-gray discolora- tions throughout the alimentary canal.
In a large band of sheep the only practical pro- cedure is a complete change of food and water.
3. Acute Arsenical Poisoning. Acute arsenical poisoning is very rare in sheep.
Symptoms: Great salivation, eroded tongue, paralysis, stupor, and death in a few hours.
Treatment: Do not give oil. Hydrated iron or even the common iron sulphate in large doses, one- half ounce to a pint of water, may be given. Raw eggs, lime water, sweetened water, sulphur and potassium sulphate are also used. Treatment of acute arsenical poisoning is seldom successful.
Postmortem appearances: Great redness and. swelling of the mucous membranes of the alimen- tary canal.
4. Chronic Arsenical Poisoning.
Chronic arsenical poisoning is sometimes seen after using dips containing arsenic,
POISONS. 181
Symptoms: Chronic diarrhea, gradual emaci- ation, and sometimes a short, hacking cough is present.
Treatment: Change of food and water. Iron sulphate in small doses—twenty grains per day— may be given.
Postmortem appearances: Paleness of mem- branes with a general hydremia. Sometimes the postmortem findings are very obscure.
5. Phosphorus Poisoning.
This is sometimes seen in sections where this poison is used to kill noxious animals, such as squirrels. It usually occurs in the acute form.
Symptoms: Phosphorus poisoning greatly re- sembles arsenic poisoning in that there is great salivation, a staggery gait, and death from con- vulsions.
Treatment: One dram copper sulphate (blue vitriol) dissolved in a pint of water; same dosage of potassium permanganate; one tablespoonful turpentine given in mucilaginous solutions neu- tralizes the poison, changing it into phosphoric acid. Peroxid of hydrogen, lime water, charcoal, and raw eggs are also very useful.
Postmortem appearances: Very similar to ar- senical poisoning. In subacute cases no lesions may be observable.
6. Copper Poisoning.
Symptoms: Colic; diarrhea; weakness; slow, wiry pulse.
182 SHEEP DISEASES.
Treatment: Iron in large quantities; raw eggs; mucilaginous drenches; milk and sulphur.
Postmortem appearances: Inflammation of the intestinal tract is usually present. In chronic light attacks calcareous deposits occur in the kidneys,
7. Zinc Poisoning.
This usually occurs in the chronic form.
Symptoms: Colic; diarrhea; weakness, and gen- eral paralysis.
Treatment: Tannic acid in dram doses; sul- phur; raw eggs; sugar in water; gums; potassium permanganate.
Postmortem appearances: Paleness and ulcers of the intestinal tract.
8. Mercurial Poisoning.
This is comparatively rare in sheep, although occasionally a sheep herder grows careless and leaves blue ointment lying around so that a lamb or two becomes poisoned.
Symptoms: Salivation; bloody diarrhea; ec- zema; paralysis, and death from general weak- ness,
Treatment: Sulphur; iron sulphate; raw eggs.
Postmortem appearances: Signs of inflamma- tion in the bowels, with the liver enlarged, are two symptoms that may help one to arrive at a definite diagnosis.
POISONS. 183
9. Alkali Poisons.
This includes ammonia, soda, potassa, and salts of these metals. Potassium nitrate, sodium chlo- rid and sodium sulphate poisoning, being more common than the others, are discussed under separate heads.
Symptoms: Colicky pains; sloughing of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat; bloody diarrhea, followed by collapse and death.
Treatment: Large quantities of vinegar; raw eges; demulcents.
Postmortem appearances: Inflammation of the mouth and throat; edema of the larynx.
10. Carbolic Acid Poisoning.
As this is purely an accidental poison, the his- tory of the case will guide one to a correct diag- nosis. The odor of the poison, together with the coagulation of the tissues, are very plain symp- toms.
Treatment: Alcohol; Epsom salt; Glauber’s salt; raw eges.
11. Mineral Acid Poisoning. The treatment consists of soapsuds, lime water, baking soda, and an ounce of spirit of camphor may be given as a stimulant.
12. Saltpeter Poisoning.
Treatment consists in giving emollients, such as raw eggs, or mucilaginous gruels. Stimulants, such as spirit of camphor or aromatic spirits of ammonia or whiskey, are indicated, if available.
184 SHEEP DISEASES.
13. Common Salt Poisoning.
This occurs where sheep have been deprived of salt for a long time and then given it in too gen- erous quantities.
Symptoms: Chiefly a violent gastro-enteritis, with a watery diarrhea and frequent urination. Death oceurs in a few hours.
Treatment: Drench with large quantities of water; raw linseed oil; raw eggs, and give spirit of camphor as a stimulant.
14. Epsom Salt and Glauber’s Salt Poisoning. Symptoms: Intense thirst; weakness; watery diarrhea; death in a day or two.
Treatment: Give large quantities of water; raw linseed oil; raw eggs; spirit of camphor, aromatic spirits of ammonia or whiskey as a stimulant.
15. Sheep-Dip Poisoning.
After dipping, some of the animals may show symptoms of trembling, staggery gait, paralysis and death. This may not only have been caused by swallowing some of the solution, but inhaling it into the lungs. The sheepmen are very philo- sophical about this, and when one or more die they merely shrug their shoulders and take it as a matter of course.
Very little can be done in the way of treatment, for death ensues soon after the appearance of the first symptoms. Alcohol, whiskey, spirit of cam- phor, Epsom salt solution all may be given. The poisonous action comes from the ecresol content
e.
SSS €
es g Original water color by N, Brenizer
A HOEN&CO, BALTIMORE
WOOLLY OR PURPLE LOCO, (Astragalus mollissimus)
“Permission Will C. Barnes ‘Western Grazing Grounds and Forest Ranges'"'
POISONS. 185
of the dip, the action of which is similar to that of carbolie acid.
16. Lime Poisoning.
Cases have been known where a bunch of lambs have been confined to a rather close room and lime sprinkled on them to make them sneeze to get rid of the lung worms or grub in the head. Quite frequently the cure has been more disas- trous than the original ailment.
The antidote for lime poisoning is vegetable acids, of which vinegar is a common example.
17. Petroleum Poisoning.
This is so rare that one should merely remem- ber to give large quantities of stimulants. It is not absorbed to any great extent, but acts as a mechanical irritant to the tissues.
18. Rare Mineral Poisonings.
Every now and then some rarely used mineral poison or a combination of such poisonings is the cause of the death of one or more sheep, usually lambs. The best thing one can do in case several are still living when called is to admin- ister demulcents and stimulants.
B. VEGETABLE POISONS.
Every experienced person is familiar with the losses incurred among sheep from eating poison- ous plants. Sometimes only a few are poisoned and die, while in other cases whole bands of sev-
186 SHEEP DISEASES.
eral thousand have been pune out in from a few hours to a few days.
It is a well known fact that most a: the losses occur in the early spring when the sheep are hun- ery for green stuff, or after shipment when the animals are so nearly starved they will eat greed- ily any plant they chance to come upon.
The two most efficient methods of prevention, there- fore, are: First, keep off the range before the grass is abundant, and, sec- ond, keep the ani- mals supplied with sufficient food.
In the early ihe spring certain pol- A Prive Tree Growrnc 1x Soup sonous plants, such
Rocx—Favorite ranges for sheep are composed of mountainous as death camas, be-
scenes like this. A sheep will gin to grow before thrive where other animals would starve. the grass. The oreen, succulent shoots are eagerly nibbled and soon trouble en- sues. If the animal’s rumen is full, and it eats but a few shoots of this plant, usually no symp- toms of poisoning follow. That is due to a lack
of absorption or the very slow absorption of such
POISONS. 187
minute quantities as to cause nothing more than a slight discomfort.
Old stockmen regard plant poisoning as prevent- able diseases. Their young herders often grow impatient to be off for the range, but the older heads look wise and say nothing, and remain in winter quarters. When first starting out in the spring, the ‘‘old man’’ will ride ahead and eare- fully peer over the grazing ground on the lookout for ‘‘pizen.’’
As Glover of Colorado has well said, ‘‘ Through- out the vegetable kingdom, from bacteria to the mighty oak, we find species of plants poisonous under certain conditions, but few of them poison- ous under all conditions.’’? This is further illus- trated by the following statements:
1. Some plants are poisonous only at certain stages of growth; for example, the lupine is poison- ous at the time of going to seed; larkspur loses its toxic properties at flowering time; death camas is very deadly in the early spring, but later dries up.
2. Unusual conditions and ecological factors may affect the quantity of poison in plants. The wilted leaves of the wild cherry or choke cherry are poisonous.
3. Poison is found in different parts of the plant, such as in the roots of wild parsnips, the seeds of lupine, the leaves of the wild or choke cherry, and the entire plant of death camas and aconite. :
4. Variations occur owing to season and
188 SHEEP DISEASES.
the climate. These depend also on cultivation and location.
5. Some animals are more susceptible to poison than others. Three sheep of the same age, size and degree of health may eat a few leaves of death camas. One may become violently sick and die in a couple of hours; the second may show signs of slight discomfort and soon recover, and the third one may exhibit no ill effects whatever.
Loss from plants may be due to two causes:
1. The actual toxic material contained in the plant itself, such as in the death camas, or
2. The mechanical irritation arising from the sharp points or awns of the plant, such as foxtail — or bearded barley.
Lambs succumb in either case more quickly than adult sheep, due to the absorbing powers of the abomasum, or fourth stomach, and the greater danger from inflammation of the bowels.
Emergency Treatment.
Every sheep man should be advised to have in his medicine chest one hundred or more powders consisting of ten grains each of potassium per- manganate and aluminum sulphate. Several long neck pint bottles should be included, and when any sheep gets poisoned, fill the bottle with water and pour the powder into it. Shake well, and give very slowly. Do not set the animal up on its rump to drench it; to do so is to insure traumatic pneu- monia, and death. This dose should be repeated in twenty minutes.
POISONS. 189
Tannic acid in sixty-grain powders should also be carried along, as this is an antidote for many vegetable poisons.
Laudanum, in teaspoonful doses, may be given to quiet the animal and relieve spasms, but treat- ment at the best is a poor substitute for preven- tion.
Such measures as slashing the ears and cutting off the tail to bleed the animal, of course, can do no good and are even harmful. There are times when these procedures are useful, but not often in poisonings. Pouring melted lard and other con- coctions into the animals usually does more harm than good. This has a tendency to dilute the poi- son and render it easier of absorption.
Morphin, glonoin, H-M-C and atropin all may be given hypodermically by the veterinarian.
But in all cases of plant poisoning, remember to have on hand the potassium permanganate and aluminum sulphate, the tannic acid, and opium in some form as a hypnotic. Stimulants are often valuable, but when the victim is so far gone as to be unable to swallow, little hope can be entertained for its recovery.
In all cases of vegetable poisoning, the usual treatment given by sheepmen is to administer a large quantity of stimulant, such as several ounces of aleohol or whiskey. Ina short time, the animal becomes sleepy, lies still for several hours or more, apparently dead, and then, if recovery takes place, gets up, shakes itself, and trots off, rather weakly, to be sure, but otherwise as if nothing had hap- pened. In many cases, where the exact cause of
190 SHEEP DISEASES.
the poisoning is not known, this treatment may be given with as good results as any.
1. Death Camas.
Botanical name—Zygadenus venenosus.
Common names—Wild onion; lobelia; poison camas; and porson sego to distinguish it from the blue or edible camas.
The leaves are lance-shaped, with a simple stem, and bulb-like root, greatly resembling a tough onion. The flowers are greenish-yellow in color. Its toxic principle is an unknown alkaloid.
It is found in all kinds of locations, such as valleys, mountain sides and timber lands. Its habitat seems to be South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, and parts of Utah, Oregon, Wyoming and California.
One must see this plant growing in its native haunts to get a vivid mind-picture of it.
This has caused the loss of thousands of sheep. Instances have been known where over two thou- sand have died in one day from the effects of this poison!
Symptoms: These greatly resemble strychnin- poisoning in general. The animal becomes very restless from the severe pain. Trembling and frothing at the mouth are next seen. Death usually takes place in one to three hours, and from one-half to two-thirds of those exhibiting symp- toms die.
Treatment: Give a drench of ten grains each of potassium permanganate and aluminum sul-
POISONS. AO:
phate dissolved in a pint of cold water, or water with the chill taken off it. This dose should be mixed up just before using, as it soon loses its strength.
2. Loco.
Botanical name—Astragalus mollissimus |pur- ple loco|; and Aragallus lamberti [white loco]. Common names—Rattle weed; loco.
It may be said that when the loco grows in large patches it resembles a field of alfalfa. It is a stem- less herb, with numerous leaves, the whole plant being about a foot high.
Its habitat is in the Rocky Mountain region, ex- tending from Montana south to the Mexican line.
Horses are its commonest victims, but occa- sionally a bunch of sheep become ‘‘locoed’’ to the profane disgust of the owner.
Symptoms: Are characteristic and are not seen from eating any other weed. The animal steps high and seems to lose control of its legs. It de- velops an insatiate desire for the weed. Other animals imitate the victim out of curiosity and also become victims of the weed.
Treatment: This is largely preventive. When an animal is seen eating loco with apparent relish, remove it from the band at once. If worth saving it may be given teaspoonful doses of Fowler’s solution of arsenic once daily.
Do not turn the animals out on pasture when they are very hungry or in the early spring.
192 SHEEP DISEASES.
3. Larkspur. Botancal name—Delphinum.
This does not cause so much loss among sheep as among cattle. There are many varieties, all more or less poisonous. The tall larkspur grows to a height of nearly four feet, with very smooth leaves and blue flowers. Purple larkspur grows nearly a foot high, bearing very beautiful purple flowers.
Its habitat is in the western range country, but it is not thickly distributed.
Symptoms: The animal walks with a stiff, trembling gait. Frothing at the mouth is noticed, and the victim makes a start for the nearest water- ing place, but often dies before reaching it. The fact that many animals have been found dead around a water hole has set up the mistaken cry that the water was poisoned.
Treatment: Largely preventive. When the animal is found poisoned, place its head higher than the body. Carefully give the potassium per- manganate and aluminum sulphate drench. One- twentieth of a grain of atropin may be given hypo- dermically. For lambs, reduce this dosage accord- ingly.
4. Lupine.
Botanical name—Lupinus. Common names—Wild pea; wild bean; blue bean.
There are several dozen varieties of lupine, all are legumes or members of the pea family, the
Original water color by N. Brenizer
PURPLE LARKSPUR (Delphinium bi-color)
“Permission Will C.-Barnes ‘Western Grazing Grounds and Forest Ranges’
POISONS. 193
group to which the clovers and alfalfa belong. None seem to be poisonous until reaching ma- turity.
The most common lupines are rather tall, with branching forms. The leaves are green above and silver-grey beneath. The flowers vary from blue to white. Its habitat is pretty well distributed over the United States, but it assumes a more poi- sonous form out in the western range sections.
Symptoms: The sheep becomes excited; walks in a circle, and butts its head against any inter- vening obstruction. Paralysis then comes on, and death ends the struggle within a few hours to several days. The general symptoms resemble strychnin poisoning greatly.
Treatment: The potassium permanganate and aluminum sulphate drench may be given. In cases of convulsions, laudanum in teaspoonful doses, or chloral hydrate in two-dram doses, or one-quarter grain morphin hypodermically, may be adminis- tered. Acids have been tried also.
This is not a very common ailment among sheep, except in small localities. In Germany it often assumes the gravity of an enzootic under the name of ‘‘lupinosis.”’
5. Aconite. Botanical name—Aconitum. Common names—Monkshood; wolfsbane.
This plant greatly resembles larkspur in that it has a blue flower, but this is ‘‘hood shaped.’’ Much confusion exists between this plant and lark-
194 SHEEP DISEASES.
spur, and the chances are that owing to its pungent taste aconite does very little actual damage. Sev- eral species of aconite occur in the United States, the commonest being the Aconitum Columbianum; it grows in very high altitudes, up to ten thousand feet, and occasionally a band of sheep, very hun- ery for green stuff, may eat enough to cause serl- ous results.
Symptoms: Muscular weakness, with labored breathing, and a very weak, wiry pulse. Bloating, frothing at the mouth, and, as death draws near, the eye is greatly dilated.
Treatment: One dram (sixty grains) tannic acid dissolved in an ounce of glycerin and a pint of water is the chemical antidote; atropin given hypodermically in one-tenth grain dosage is the physiological antidote.
6. Water Hemlock.
Botanical name—Cicuta occidentalis.
Common names—Coubane; sometimes called wild parsnip, but differing greatly from the real wild parsnip.
It grows from three to six feet high. Its stem is hollow, green and smooth. The roots are bunched together, and are spindle-shaped, with cross partitions in them. The real wild parsnip has only one thick, fleshy root, which is an easy way to tell the two apart.
The flowers are a dull greenish-white. The plant grows along banks of rivers and marshes, and is pretty well distributed over the West.
POISONS. 195
It is one of the most deadly of poisonous plants, the toxic matter being found in the root, stem and leaves.
Symptoms: Great abdominal pain, which grows more intense in a few minutes, is the first symptom noticed. Sweating, frothing at the mouth, con- vulsions, and within half an hour to several hours death takes place in terrible agony.
Treatment: Relief in the great majority of cases is absolutely hopeless. Raw linseed oil, lard, raw eggs, or any agent to soothe the irritated mu- cous membranes may be given. The potassium permanganate and aluminum sulphate drench may also be administered. Stimulants, such as spirit of camphor, whiskey, ether, aromatic spirit of ammonia or brandy, are indicated.
7. Choke Cherry.
Botanical name—Prunus demissa. Common name—Choke cherry; choke berry.
This is a shrub with glistening green leaves. not ordinarily harmful, except when famished sheep are driven through thickets of it. It is found usually in gulches. The poison contained in the leaves is hydrocyanic or prussic acid.
Symptoms: The first symptom noticed after passing through one of these cherry thickets is extreme giddiness; labored breathing, with spas- modic contractions of the bowels and bladder. Spasms continue until death ends the struggle. The attack is speedily fatal if the animals eat of these leaves when their stomachs are empty.
196 SHEEP DISEASES.
Treatment: Largely preventive; the wise sheep man does not allow his sheep access to the leaves while they are very hungry.
Throwing cold water on the head, with inhala- tions of ammonia, and the hypodermic injection of one-tenth or one-twentieth grain of atropin is about all that can be done. Even this must be done immediately, and therefore by the herder, to be of any avail.
8. Laurel.
Botanical name—Kalmia angustifolia; kalmva
latifolia.
Common names—Laurel; sheep laurel; lambkill, and in the southern states, wy. ;
It is a common plant in the eastern part of our country, growing in the woods with great profu- sion. It is a shrub with a pink flower. It is eaten only when the animals are famished for food or green forage.
Symptoms: Frothing at the mouth; labored breathing; loss of sight; paralysis; coma and death.
Treatment: The potassium permanganate and aluminum sulphate drench may be given at once, and one-twentieth of a grain of atropin hypoder- mically. Usually the animal is beyond recall when discovered,
9. Veratrum. Botanical name—V eratrum viride or speciosum. Common name—Hellebore, Indian poke root.
A stout, coarse plant growing about three feet tall. The leaves are broad, with greenish-white
POISONS. 197
flowers. It is found in moist land. Very little attention need be paid this plant, as sheep will not touch it; a lamb, though, may nibble at it out of mere curiosity and later regret it.
Symptoms: Frothing at the mouth; diarrhea; labored breathing; bloat; great abdominal pain, and death within a short time.
Treatment: One dram (sixty grains) of tannic acid dissolved in an ounce of glycerin and a pint of cold water may be given to form an insoluble precipitate, or raw linseed oil, lard, or raw eggs to soothe the mucous membrane.
10. Ergot.
Botanical name—Claviceps purpurea. Common name—Smut.
Hrgot is a black parasitic growth found on va- rious grasses, being very prevalent on both wild and tame rye. The dust-like, powdery pod is familiar to all.
Its greatest danger is to pregnant ewes, a very small quantity being capable of producing abor- tion. Sometimes it causes serious losses to a band of sheep by being thickly distributed through the hay.
Symptoms: The animal exhibits symptoms of painful swallowing, gulping as though it were choked. The pulse is slow, breathing shallow, and in gangrenous cases the ears become swollen and purple. Paralysis comes on gradually, death tak- ing place quietly, as though the animal were tired of life.
198 SHEEP DISEASES.
Treatment: Immediate change of food. One dram of tannic acid (sixty grains) dissolved in a pint of water, to which is added a teaspoonful sweet spirit of nitre. The latter will neutralize the action of the poison in the blood to some extent, while the tannic acid renders the ergot in the stomach inert. Cutting off the ears or tail is some- times indicated. Painting the necrosed areas with balsam of Peru will help these to heal, in case of recovery.
11. Deadly Nightshade.
Botancal name—Solanum nigrum. Common name—Deadly nightshade.
A smooth, wide-branching weed, growing one or two feet high, with clusters of white flowers. The berries, which ripen along in the late summer, are black, almost round, and very juicy. It is com- mon to all sections of the United States.
Symptoms: Giddiness; dilated pupils; great abdominal pain; convulsions, followed by paralysis and death.
Treatment: As this very rarely causes death in sheep, treatment is a secondary consideration. A teaspoonful of soda dissolved in a pint of water may be given, and stimulants, such as whiskey, sweet spirit of nitre or ether, are indicated.
12. Woody Aster. Botanical name—Xylorhiza Parryi [Gray].
This plant, found in Wyoming, and growing on gumbo-clay soil, has killed many sheep in the
POISONS. 199
past. It is infected with a fungus, and whether this contains the toxic ingredients or the plant itself is poisonous, has not yet been determined.
It is a medium-sized plant, blossoming about the first of May, and grows less poisonous with age, being entirely inactive when withered.
The poison is very fatal to sheep, from ninety to one hundred per cent of the affected animals dying in spite of all treatment.
Symptoms: From one to several hours after eating the plant, depending on the fullness of the first stomach, the animal begins to grow weak; labored breathing is noticed; then bloating, with frequent urinating. Later, a diarrhea sets in, the eyes become dilated, and the animal dies in from several hours to three or four days.
Treatment: No successful line of treatment has yet been worked out. Stimulants, such as one- half ounce aromatic spirits of ammonia in a cup of warm water; dram doses of oil of peppermint in a half-pint raw linseed oil; dram doses of lauda- num in oil, have all been tried with varying suc- cess.
The best line of treatment is prevention, and avoiding aster patches when the sheep are hun- ery, especially in the early spring.
13. Sneeze Weed.
Botanical name—Helenium montanum.
This belongs to the sunflower family, growing from one to three feet high. It has long, lance- shaped leaves, with bright yellow flowers.
200 SHEEP DISEASES.
It is a very bitter weed, and sheep will not touch it unless almost starved. Sometimes, however, a young animal will develop a taste for it.
‘Symptoms: Spasms; rapid pulse; labored breathing, and extreme sensitiveness of the skin. There is sneezing and coughing, and death ends the clinical picture,
Treatment: If observed before convulsions take place, a pint of melted lard may be given. Re- moval from infected pastures is the only logical procedure. The weed is very abundant on old, worn-out ranges, and is mute testimony to the folly of over-grazing.
14. Rubber Weed.
Botanical name—Hymenoxys floribunda. Also known as ‘“‘pingue’’, the Spanish name of the weed.
This is a small weed, bearing a yellow flower, and is found in the semi-arid ranges of southern Colorado and northern New Mexico. It does not contain any poisonous principle, so far as is known, but causes death by forming a rubber-like obstruction in the intestinal tract. |
Symptoms: The animal appears drowsy, and loses its appetite. It les down and refuses to get up. Death takes place in from one to several hours after the first symptoms are noted.
Treatment: As this is a very obscure disorder, treatment is still in the experimental stage. It has been found through practical experience that a
Water color by N. Brenizer
LUPINE (Lupinus)
“Permission Will C. Barnes ‘Western Grazing Grounds and Forest Ranges’
POISONS. 201
pint of warm brine given every hour will do as much or more good than anything yet tried. This may have a tendency to dissolve the mass.
15. Strychnin.
This is an accidental poisoning, the plant not erowing in this country. The trouble usually follows attempts to poison noxious animals, and the sheep may get enough to kill them.
Symptoms: The signs of strychnin poisoning are familiar. First is noticed a restlessness, la- bored breathing, rapid, wiry pulse, and the animal walks as though it were on stilts. The muscles twitch, the eyes become bloodshot, and there is frothing at the mouth. Convulsions set in and the animal dies with spasmodic twitching of the limbs.
Treatment: One dram (sixty grains) tannic acid dissolved in glycerin and water, an ounce of the former to a pint of the latter, followed by two drams chloral hydrate dissolved in a half-pint of water or given per rectum. Morphin in one- fourth grain doses may be given hypodermically. Raw eges are excellent, while raw linseed oil or melted lard seems to assist in keeping the poison from being absorbed.
16. Cotton Seed Meal.
Poison by this valuable food is usually seen where there is too heavy feeding of oil cake.
Symptoms: There is a bloody diarrhea and bloody urine; cramps; bloat, and great abdominal pain.
202 SHEEP DISEASES.
Treatment: Immediate change of food. Lambs may be given an ounce of castor oil and several raw eggs.
17. Tobacco.
Botanical name—Nicotiana.
Sometimes seen after the use of tobacco or nico- tine dips.
Symptoms: Great abdominal pain; frothing at the mouth; diarrhea; bloat; convulsions, followed by paralysis, and death within an hour or so after the first symptoms are noticed.
Treatment: One dram (sixty grains) tannic acid dissolved in a pint of water, to which has been added an ounce of glycerin. Black coffee may also be given.
18. Digitalis,
Digitalis poisoning very rarely occurs in sheep, as the digitalis plant, commonly known as fox- glove, is a cultivated drug plant.
The symptoms are variable and one must know the complete history of the case in order to make a definite diagnosis.
No cure or antidote is known, although the tan- nic acid drench may be given a trial.
19. Turpentine.
In the western range sections sometimes when the sheep are almost famished and food is scarce they will eat enough shoots of young evergreen trees to cause turpentine poisoning.
POISONS. 203
Symptoms: Acute gastro-enteritis; colic; con- stipation, the pellets voided being covered with a bloody, slimy mucus. The urine becomes bloody and general weakness follows. The course is a gradual one, sometimes lasting from several days to a couple of weeks.
Treatment: Removal from the offending pas- ture. Tannic acid in dram doses, together with whole flaxseed jelly to soothe the irritated urinary membranes. Small doses of lead acetate (from five to ten grains) may be given daily.
20. Rape Seed.
This causes inflammation of the bowels, bloody diarrhea, convulsions and death.
The treatment is wholly symptomatic, and when the malady has reached an advanced stage, treat- ment is hopeless.
21. Croton Oil.
When administered to cure constipation, some- times an overdose is given. Violent cramps with a watery dysentery follow. Raw eggs, contain- ing teaspoonful doses of landanum, may be given, but death is the usual sequel.
22. Hemlock. Botanical name—Conium maculatum.
Poisoning by this is very rare; the acrid taste of the hemlock keeps the sheep from eating it, even though they be almost starved. The usual victims are lambs and the end is death.
204 SHEEP DISEASES.
Symptoms: Are convulsions, followed by com- plete paralysis.
Treatment: While almost always fatal, one may administer one dram tannic acid dissolved in an ounce of glycerin and a pint of water. Spirit of camphor in tablespoonful doses can be given as a stimulant.
23. Flax.
Botanical name—Linum usitatissimum.
In sections where flax is extensively raised occa- sional cases of poisoning among sheep have been known.
Symptoms: Colic; diarrhea; convulsions and death.
Treatment: Give the tannic acid drench.
24. Horse Radish.
Botanical name—Cochlearia armoracia.
Sometimes in the early spring, sheep eat too much of this common garden plant, and a violent eolic and diarrhea takes place.
The treatment consists in giving one dram of tannic acid dissolved in a pint of water. Sev- eral raw eggs beaten up can be next given to soothe the irritated mucous membranes.
If the horse radish is old and strong the animal will not need to be blanketed to keep it warm, and if it should die the flesh will not need sea- soning.
25. 'Toadstools.
These are never eaten by sheep, but if a lamb
nibbles at one, the symptoms following are almost
POISONS. 205
maniacal in form. Not much can be done, but a teaspoonful tannic acid dissolved in a cup of water may be given with advantage in some cases.
26. Potato Tops.
The symptoms greatly resemble foot-and- mouth disease, and the tannic acid drench should be tried.
27. Poison Oak.
Botanical name—Rhus diversiloba. Common names—Poison wy; poison sumac.
There are a number of varieties in this group, and poisoning rarely occurs in sheep from any of them. In ease it does, drenches of raw linseed oil in pint doses seem to do more good than any- thing else yet tried. The course of the ailment is a lingering one, sometimes lasting over a week.
28. Kafir Corn and Sorghums.
Losses sometimes occur in sheep in the autumn from turning in fields from which kafir corn or sorghum have been harvested. The young stub- ble contains hydroeyanic (prussic) acid, or sub- stances that may be changed into this acid when ingested by herbivora. It is very deadly to cattle and sheep. Hogs seem to be immune.
The only beneficial treatment known is to give a drench of the potassium permanganate and aluminum sulphate, twenty-grain doses of each, dissolved in a pint of water. However, as death often occurs within a very few minutes after the first symptoms of poisoning are shown, treat-
206 SHEEP DISEASES.
ment is frequently impossible. As kafir and sor- ghum stubble is not uniformly poisonous it may be worth while to ‘‘try’’ it with only a few sheep otherwise it is unsafe to turn a band onto such ~ forage. The danger is greater in dry seasons than in normal seasons.
29. Bearded Grasses.
A number of grasses such as foxtail, bearded barley or wheat, cheat, needle-grass and sand- burrs all cause trouble to sheep by mechanical ir- ritation. A violent gastro-enteritis is often in- duced by eating them. Sometimes a bunch of the spikes or awns lodge in the mouth under the tongue and the animal starves to death from in- ability to eat.
When once affected, absolutely no treatment is known that is successful if the irritation occurs in the stomach or bowels. A careful post-mortem examination will reveal the cause, and an exten- sive repetition of the trouble can be avoided by changing pastures.
30. Ensilage.
Cases have been known where a large number of sheep have been killed by feeding on mouldy silage, or silage that apparently was in good con- dition, but contained the fungus, ‘‘Penteillium.’’
The symptoms are the same as from mouldy feed of any kind: A violent colic, constipation, followed by fetid diarrhea, convulsions and death.
Treatment is very unsuccessful, since, when the animals begin to exhibit typical symptoms, fatal
POISONS. 207 quantities of the toxic principles have already been absorbed.
Large doses of potassium permanganate, one
~ dram or sixty grains dissolved in a pint of water, may be given. The triple sulphocarbolates, in sixty grain doses, combined with a dram of tinc- ture of ginger and an equal quantity of dioscorea may also be tried.
If only camp remedies are at hand, give a tea- spoonful of powdered ginger, and one-fourth teaspoonful each of salt and pepper dissolved in a pint of lukewarm water. Teaspoonful doses of turpentine in raw linseed oil may be tried, but in cases where there is great inflammation of the mucous membranes of the stomachs and bowels, this seems to make matters worse. Raw eggs are always valuable in soothing this irritation.
31. Porcupine Grass. Botanical name—Stipa.
While over a hundred varieties of this grass are known to botanists, only one, ‘‘Sleepy Porcu- pine Grass,’’ is known to be poisonous to sheep.
This is commonly a native of the Southwest, abounding especially in southern Colorado, west- ern Texas, lower California, Arizona, and New Mexico. It grows at an elevation of from 5,000 to 9,000 feet; is a very hardy plant, about three to five feet tall, with peculiar long, flat leaf-blades, hence the name ‘‘porecupine grass.’’ The stalks and leaves are bright green, and the seeds very coarse.
208 SHEEP DISEASES.
Only when the animals are very hungry or the feed extremely scarce will sheep eat it.
The symptoms of poisoning are insidious, but not particularly fatal. The animal becomes droopy and appears sleepy. Finally, it hes down, and to the inexperienced, the band is minus an- other sheep. However, in a little while, depend- ing on the amount eaten, the victim awakes and trots off as though nothing had happened.
32. Uncommon Plant Poisonings.
Occasionally a plant will cause trouble in some locality that is not known generally. Also, one comes into contact with poison cases that have occurred in almost unheard of manners. Even in the west, on one forest range, a peculiar grass, such as ‘‘bear grass,’?’ may be found on one side of the mountains, causing much trouble; while on the other side it is unheard of. Many local poisons have not been touched upon for the reason that space forbids.
It requires often the utmost skill to unravel eases that at first defy diagnosis. Eliminating spoiled food, acute infectious diseases, parasites, nearly all range enzootics can be traced to some poison ingested in the food or water.
In every case where the diagnosis is shrouded in mystery, the sheep should be moved to other quarters and given different food and water. These two precautions will often work wonders. An investigation can then be made.
In some parts of the northwest, two plants
Original water color from collection in Smithsonian Institution by Walpole AHOEN&CO BALTIMORE
ACONITE (Aconitum Columbianum) MONK’S HOOD
“Permission Will C. Barnes ‘Western Grazing Grounds and Forest Ranges’ "’
POISONS. 209
found among the foothills of the summer ranges have been condemned by sheep men as poisonous. These are the scutellaria or skulleap, and a form of wild pea, with small white flowers. Poisoning from these usually occurs in the early spring, and perhaps they are only harmful when ingested in large quantities by a hungry animal.
In the eastern part of the United States, poke- root, corn cockle, horse nettle, jimson weed, horse chestnut and the castor bean have all caused oc- casional deaths among sheep. It is not common, however, and the animal is dead before discov- ered, as a rule. The treatment for these cases, if they are discovered in time, consists of large doses of tannic acid dissolved in water.
In the central states, especially in the river valleys, wild or blue pea has caused some fatal- ities. It may be said, with safety, that almost every vicinity, even neighborhood, where sheep are kept, has its peculiar poisonous plants.
In all cases, however, the treatment is nearly the same. Large doses of some form of alcohol, tannic acid, or potassium permanganate may be given.
C. ANIMAL POISONS.
Sheep are practically immune to this class of poison, as under this head are found snake bites, insect stings, caterpillars and grubs taken in the food, and cantharides or Spanish fly.
As the sheep is such a dainty eater it is not troubled by ingesting animal poisons, and the others have no deleterious effect on the sheep.
SECTION XXIV. PREDATORY ANIMALS.
While all live stock suffer from the depreda- tions of predatory animals, the sheep man is a heavier loser than the owner of other domesti- eated animals. In the eastern states the mongrel dog has nearly ruined the industry; in the west- ern states, where sheep are raised by the million,
Coyote Ki~tters—The Russian wolf hound is a favorite with coyote hunters.
a varied assortment of animal pests annoy the stockmen.
Notwithstanding the bounties given by both the state and live stock associations, it is not an exaggeration to say that over five million dollars’
210
PREDATORY ANIMALS. 211
worth of sheep are destroyed annually by preda- tory animals, in the west alone. Some years ago, when California offered a bounty of five dollars per coyote, over 70,000 were killed in one year, and to keep from being bankrupted, the state re- pealed the law. Last year, in less than nine months, nearly 15,000 coyotes were killed in Idaho and presented for bounty and the appropria- tion exhausted. Because these campaigns against predatory animals have been only sporadic they have allowed them to increase enormously during the past few years and become a serious menace to the live stock industry. If every state would offer a uniform bounty for the next ten years, these marauders would soon become practically exterminated.
The chief predatory animals are the coyote, lynx, wild cat, cougar and wolf. The bear is classed as a sheep killer but is grouped in bad company, and prairie dogs are a nuisance in destroying the grass on the range where they abound. The coyote does as much damage as all the others combined, the wolf does not care much for mutton but is especially annoying to cattle- men. It is a common estimate in the west that a coyote destroys $100 worth of property a year, and a wolf $1,000. The mountain lion or cougar is the particular enemy of deer, one cougar kill- ing, on the average, fifty of these beautiful, timid animals a year. Only one bear, perhaps, out of a hundred turns ‘‘meat eater’? and harms the stockman.
212 SHEEP DISEASES.
1. The Coyote.
‘““Th’ durndest, sneakin’est reptile thet lives’’ is the unanimous verdict of all western stock- men. This animal is a member of the dog family,
and has all the cunning attributes claimed for him by disgusted ‘‘buckaroos’’?’ who have ex- hausted their patience in trying to shoot, trap or poison him.
While civilization drives the rest of wild animal life still farther back into the mountains, the
PREDATORY ANIMALS. 213
-
coyote seems to appreciate the coming of the emi- grant. With the greatest of enjoyment he lives off of fat lamb or veal, and no eleric relishes chicken any better than he. In the most unlooked for places, sometimes not forty rods from the barn, the coyote rears a husky family of five to ten young, and manages to support them in
THE OL_p WoLr SHOT AND HELPLESS.
comfort and affluence despite the high cost of living, which because of him is made even higher for all meat consumers.
In the spring the coyote welcomes lambing time, and when the band of sheep are driven to the summer range he accompanies the outfit. Many a lamb in straying too far from its mother pro- vides a juicy dinner for the unseen but ever- present coyote. in the fall, he returns, invig-
214 SHEEP DISEASES.
orated after a summer vacation in the mountains, and dines with regularity on turkey, duck or chicken. Too cunning to be trapped; too wily to be shot, the best way to get rid of him is to run the brute down with hounds.
i
nb NOP
WoLF Pups IN FRONT OF DEN,
In the past few years, in the northwest, coyotes have been spreading rabies to an alarming ex- tent. Due to this, the Federal government is just starting an all-western campaign against this animal, the worst enemy of the stockman in gen- eral, and the sheep raiser in particular.
ov
' PREDATORY ANIMALS. 21
2. Wild Cat and Lynx.
A ‘‘bobeat’’ getting among a band of sheep seems to kill for the sole pleasure of killing. A hundred or more sheep will be found dead, un- touched, save for the gash in the throat.
They are very cowardly and shy, and for this reason do not perform a great deal of damage.
WiLp Cart.
Still, one bobeat with a taste for blood will make hfe a tragedy for any sheepman until it is destroyed. Bobeats are rather easily. treed with good dogs; then they may be knocked in the head amid great rejoicing.
In 1915 Idaho and Wyoming paid a bounty on over fifteen hundred wild cats and lynx.
216 SHEEP DISEASES.
Lynx Car CAUGHT IN TRAP—Sopris National Forest, Colorado.
3. Wolf and Cougar.
Fortunately for sheepmen these two animals do not seem to relish mutton as much as they do deer, cattle and horses.
The wolf is especially dangerous to the ecattle- man, and often kills for mere pastime. It is very diffeult to destroy, being almost as cunning as the coyote. They breed rapidly, and some see- tions of the west are so infested with them it is almost impossible to raise horses or cattle.
The cougar or mountain lion is a great coward, and shuns civilization. It does great damage to deer, and occasionally one develops a taste for
Original water color from collection in Smithsonian Institution by Walpole
A HOEN 8 CO
“Permission Will C. Barnes ‘Western Grazing Grounds and Forest Ranges'”’
PREDATORY ANIMALS. 217
young lamb. They usually stay close to some body of water where the deer come to drink, and kill one or two a week.
The best way to hunt cougar is with good hounds, for when treed they make little effort to get away, resembling a cat in this respect. They are very powerful; one who has looked into the sneering face of a cougar treed by several dogs will never forget the sight.
About one hundred wolves were killed in Idaho and Wyoming, and possibly a dozen cougars in 1925.
4. Bear.
A SHEEP-KILLING BEAR.
This harmless animal is the victim of a bad name, due to an occasional bear turning ‘‘meat eater’’ and destroying stock with frightful rapid-
218 SHEEP DISEASES.
ity. The average bear, however, attends strictly to his own business, and keeps away from the white man as though the latter were a bill col- lector.
Bears are often mischievous, and sometimes a sheepherder will return to his camp to find his light house-keeping outfit shightly mussed up and worse from wear after the visit of a prowling bear. The bacon and-sugar will be among the things missing, and much profanity will be in- dulged in by the outraged herders.
Bears are not predatory animals and should not be classed as such.
5. Prairie Dog.
This pest merely destroys the range. It has been estimated thirty-two of these busy little animals will eat as much grass as one sheep and as a single village contains thousands of these rodents, it can readily be seen how destructive they really are.
They are combatted with poisoned grain, and in the early spring, when the grass is scarce, this method kills them by the thousand.
SECTION XXV.
QUARANTINE AND TRANSPORT A- TION REGULATIONS.
There was a time not many years ago when all government and state regulations regarding live stock inspection was looked upon as ‘‘fool red tape.’’ In ‘‘them good old days’’ an un- scrupulous and bull-headed man could drive a band of scabby sheep wherever he desired so long as he kept out of reach of the bullets from angry cattle men or sheep men. State lines, forest preserves, scab eradication, quarantines and su- pervision of live stock were Greek to him. ‘‘ They ain’t no sech thing as germs,’’ he would laugh and drive on.
But a new era approached. Successful stock- men began to see what a quarantine would do in the control of contagious diseases, such as scab. The benefits accruing from laws designed to curb the migrations of lawless, careless men who eared little how much infection they scat- tered, were self-evident. This sentiment grew in favor, until the western sheep raising states have the most stringent regulations in the coun- try. These laws have been enacted by the sheep- men themselves and are models of clear, common- sense rules, designed to be of the greatest bene- fit to the greatest number.
219
220 SHEEP DISEASES.
It is true there has been friction. Sometimes an officious, undiplomatic ‘‘two-bit’’ government inspector was sent out from the extreme eastern part of our country. Not being familiar with the rough and ready methods of the west he be- came about as popular as smallpox. In other cases, ignorant and dishonest state officials, ap- pointed through political trickery and not because of merit, made enemies among the better class of sheep men. Oftentimes sheep raisers without any regard or reason for sensible laws caused trouble. These three factors have caused more or less turmoil, but it is fast dying down.
To keep sheep free from scab or other conta- gious diseases has proven to be the greatest boon to the industry. To be able to call in expert as- sistance to diagnose some mysterious malady or enzootic at the beginning of the trouble has been of inestimable benefit. To enforce these laws designed for the good of the greatest number has been the duty of the government and state.
Within the boundaries of its own borders, the laws of a state are supreme. When move- ments of live stock occur between the states, con- stituting ‘‘interstate commerce,’’ the Federal gov- ernment is the master. Therefore, by govern- ment regulations, a state that will not conform to reasonable rules cannot ship out of the state into another, and is, therefore, by indirection com- pelled to comply with Federal regulations, even in matters that are essentially intrastate.
Ten years ago over twelve million sheep were dipped under the government supervision per
QUARANTINE AND TRANSPORTATION. 221
year, while unnumbered thousands were dipped by state officials. The results of this campaign have been so good that but little scab now re- mains in this country.
1. Federal Regulations.
The Acts of February 2, 1903, and March 3, 1905, regulating the movement of sheep from one state to another, are largely responsible for eradicating the scab from our country.
To illustrate the stringency of these regula- tions the text in full is herewith given:
REGULATION 4. TO PREVENT THE SPREAD
OF SCABIES IN SHEEP. (Acts of Feb. 2, 1903, and Mar. 3, 1905.)
MOVEMENT OF SHEEP AFFECTED WITH SCABIES.
SEcTION 1.. Paragraph 1.—No sheep which are diseased with scabies shall be shipped, trailed, or otherwise removed, or allowed to drift, from one State or the District of Columbia into another State or the District of Columbia, except as hereinafter provided, and no sheep shall be shipped, trailed, or otherwise removed, or allowed to drift, from a State or a portion thereof quarantined for the disease of scabies in sheep into another State or the District of Columbia except as hereinafter provided.
Paragraph 2.—No sheep shall be trailed or driven or hauled in private conveyances from the quarantined area in any State to any point in the same State not included in the quarantined area and subsequently delivered to a transporta- tion company for shipment to any other State or the District of Columbia until the sheep shall have been inspected by an inspector of the Bureau of Animal Industry and found to be free from disease and from exposure thereto, and are accom- panied by a certificate from the said inspector.
Paragraph 3.—All of the sheep in a certain flock or ship- ment in which the disease is present shall be classed as dis- eased sheep, and none of them shall be removed or offered for interstate shipment until dipped as hereinafter provided. The practice of “picking” a flock—that is, removing any sheep which are visibly diseased and then offering any portion of the remaining sheep for either inspection or interstate ship- ment, or both—is directly and positively prohibited.
222 SHEEP DISEASES.
SHEEP EXPOSED IN TRANSIT.
SECTION 2. Healthy sheep in an area not quarantined for the disease of scabies in sheep which have not been exposed to the disease by coming in contact with diseased sheep or in- fectious premises may be shipped or trailed interstate without restriction by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture to prevent the spread of scabies in sheep; but if said sheep be unloaded en route or at destination and are placed in in- fectious premises they shall thereafter be treated as exposed sheep and shall not be forwarded to destination for purposes other than immediate slaughter until they shall have been dipped, under the supervision of an inspector of the Bureau of Animal Industry.
MOVEMENT OF SHEEP FOR IMMEDIATE SLAUGHTER AND FOR STOCKING AND FEEDING.
SecTIon 3. Paragraph 1.—Sheep that are diseased with scabies and that have been dipped once in a permitted dip under the supervision of an inspector of the Bureau of Animal Industry within 10 days of date of shipment may be shipped interstate for immediate slaughter to a recognized slaughter- ing center, and when so shipped the said sheep shall not be diverted en route and shall be slaughtered within two weeks after arrival at destination. If diseased sheep are to be shipped interstate for stocking or feeding purposes they shall be dipped twice as above indicated, 10 days apart, and shall be submitted to inspection before shipment.
Paragraph 2.—Sheep that are not diseased with scabies but which have been exposed to the contagion of the disease may be moved interstate for feeding or stocking purposes after one dipping, or they may be shipped interstate by rail or boat’ to a recognized slaughtering center for immediate slaughter without dipping.
TRANSPORTATION REQUIREMENTS FOR DISEASED AND EXPOSED SHEEP.
Section 4. When diseased sheep have been dipped once and are shipped interstate for slaughter in accordance with section 3, paragraph 1, or when exposed sheep are shipped interstate without dipping for immediate slaughter in accord- ance with section 3, paragraph 2, the transportation company shall affix to both sides of each car or boat a durable placard not less than 5% by 8 inches in size, on which shall be printed with permanent black ink in bold-face letters not less than 1144 inches in height the words “DIPPED SCABBY SHEEP” or “EXPOSED SHEEP FOR SLAUGHTER,” as the case may be. These placards shall also show the name of the place from which the shipment was made, the date of the shipment (which must correspond with the date of the waybills and other papers), the name of the transportation company, and the name of the place of destination. Each of the waybills, con- ductors’ manifests, memoranda, and bills of lading pertain-
QUARANTINE AND TRANSPORTATION. 223
ing to such shipments by cars or boats shall have the words “DIPPED SCABBY SHEEP” or “EXPOSED SHEEP FOR SLAUGHTER,” as the case may be, written or stamped upon its face. Whenever such shipments are transferred to another transportation company or into other cars or boats, cr are rebilled or reconsigned to a point other than the original destination the cars or boats into which said sheep are trans- ferred and the new waybills, conductors’ manifests, memo- randa, and bills of lading covering such shipments by cars or boats shall be marked as herein specified for cars or boats first carrying said sheep and for the billing, ete., covering the same. If for any reason the placards required by this regulation are removed from the car or boat or are destroyed or rendered illegible, they shall be immediately replaced by the transportation company or its agents, the intention being that legible placards shall be maintained on the cars or boats from the time of shipment until they arrive at destination, and the disposition of the cars or boats is indicated by an inspector of the Bureau of Animal Industry.
PERMITTED DIPS.
SEcTION 5. Paragraph 1.—The dip at present permitted by the department for the treatment under official supervision of sheep affected with or exposed to scabies is the lime-sul- phur dip made in the proportion of 8 pounds of unslaked lime (or 11 pounds of commercial hydrated lime—not air-slaked lime) and 24 pounds of flowers of sulphur to 100 gallons of water. The dipping bath should be used at a temperature of 100° to 105° F., and must at all times be maintained at a strength of not less than 1% per cent of “sulphid sulphur,” as indicated by the Bureau of Animal Industry field test for lime-sulphur baths.
Paragraph 2.—A proprietary brand of lime-sulphur solution may be used in official dipping only after specific permission therefor has been issued by the Bureau of Animal Industry. No dip other than the lime-sulphur dip will hereafter be given department permission for use in the official dipping of sheep for scabies unless it has been shown to the satisfaction of the Bureau of Animal Industry (1) that the strength of the bath prepared therefrom may be satisfactorily determined in the field by a practical portable testing outfit; (2) that, under actual field conditions, the dipping of sheep in a bath of def- inite strength will effectually eradicate scabies infection with- out injury to the animals dipped.
LOSSES FROM DIPPING.
Section 6. The dipping shall be done carefully and the sheep handled as humanely as possible. The department dis- claims responsibility for any loss or damage resulting from dipping, and those who wish to avoid any risks that may be incident to dipping at the stockyards, as well as to avoid liability to prosecution, should see that their sheep are free from disease before shipping them to market.
224 SHEEP DISEASES.
SHEEP DISEASED OR EXPOSED IN TRANSIT.
Secrion 7. Sheep shipped interstate under a certificate from an inspector of the Bureau of Animal Industry are not guaran- teed uninterrupted transit, for in the event of the discovery of scabies or of exposure thereto en route the sheep shall there- after be handled as diseased or exposed sheep, as hereinbefore provided, and the cars or other vehicles and the chutes, alleys, and pens which have been occupied by them shall be cleaned and disinfected, as hereinafter provided in section 9 of this regulation.
© SHIPMENTS FROM PUBLIC STOCKYARDS.
Section 8. Paragraph 1.—Public stockyards shall be con- sidered infectious and the sheep yarded therein as having been exposed to the disease, and no sheep shall be shipped interstate therefrom, except for immediate slaughter, without dipping. Where, however, a part of all of the stockyards is reserved and set apart for the reception of uninfected ship- ments of sheep and is kept free of disease, sheep may be shipped interstate from the uninfectious yards or portions thereof without dipping.
Paragraph 2.—If diseased sheep are introduced into the uninfectious yards or portions thereof, they shall be imme- diately removed therefrom and the chutes, alleys, and pens occupied by the said sheep shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. No sheep shall be shipped interstate from any stockyards where an inspector of the Bureau of Animal In- dustry is stationed without a certificate of inspection or of dipping issued by the said inspector.
DISINFECTION OF CARS, PREMISES, ETC.
SEcTION 9. Cars and other vehicles, yards, pens, sheds, chutes, etc., that have contained diseased sheep shall be cleaned and disinfected in the following manner: Remove all litter and manure and then saturate the interior surfaces. of the cars and woodwork, flooring, and ground of the chutes, alleys, and pens with a solution made with 6 ounces of 95 per cent pure carbolic acid to each gallon of water, or a solution con- taining 4 ounces of cresol compound U. S. P. to each gallon of water. When either disinfectant is used sufficient lime (not to exceed 114%4 pounds per gallon) should be added to show where it has been applied. Cars and premises are not re- quired to be cleaned and disinfected on account of their hav- ing contained “dipped scabby sheep” that have been dipped within 10 days or sheep that have been exposed to scabies.
AMENDMENT 6 TO B. A. I. ORDER 210.
Effective on and after February 1, 1916.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY.
Under authority conferred upon the Secretary of Agricul- ture by the provisions of the acts of Congress approved May
QUARANTINE AND TRANSPORTATION. 225
29, 1884 (23 Stat. 31), February 2, 1903 (32 Stat., 791), and March 3, 1905 (33 Stat., 1264), as amended by the act ap- proved March 4, 1913 (37 Stat., 828, 831), it is ordered that regulation 1, section 4; regulation 2, sections 4 and 8; regula- tion 3, section 12; regulation 4, section 9; regulation 5, sec- tions 2 and 3; and regulation 7, section 2, of B. A. I. Order 210, “Regulations Governing the Interstate Movement of Live Stock,” dated May 20, 1914, and effective July 1, 1914, as amended, be, and the same are hereby, further amended so as to permit the use of “saponified cresol solution’ as a sub- stitute for compound solution of cresol U. S. P. in the disin-
fection of cars, boats, other vehicles, and premises that have «
contained live stock affected with a contagious or communi- cable disease, for the disinfection of swine to prevent the spread of hog cholera and swine plague, and for preparing a dressing for sheep to prevent the spread of lip-and-leg ulceration (necrobacillosis); provided, however, that such saponified cresol solution shall conform to the following re- quirement:
1. The formula of the product shall employ not less than 28 per cent by weight of linseed oil. Hither caustic potash, caustic soda, or a mixture of caustic potash and caustic soda may be used to saponify the linseed oil. The cresol used must be at least 95 per cent pure, and enough of this com- mercial grade of cresol (cresylic acid) must be employed in compounding the disinfectant to bring the actual amount of cresol in the finished product up to 50 per cent.
2. The product shall’ remain a homogeneous liquid when cooled to 32° F. -It shall contain substantially no unsaponified linseed oil or excess alkali: It shall be readily soluble in cold distilled water; the solution shall be practically clear and shall contain no globules of undissolved oil or cresylic acid. :
3. Manufacturers wishing to offer saponified cresol solution as indicated above for use in official disinfection must first submit a sample of at least 8 ounces for examination, together with a statement of the formula employed and a guaranty that the product will be maintained of a quality uniform with the sample submitted.
4. To prevent confusion, each product must bear a dis- tinctive trade name or brand, together with the name of. the manufacturer or distributor.. There shall be no mention of the United States Department of Agriculture or the Bureau of Animal Industry on the labels, containers, or printed matter accompanying products permitted to be used in offi-
1A “Rule to prevent the spread of scabies in sheep”’ is in ef- fect through the entire year. This rule prescribes the quar- antined area in the respective States and should be considered in connection with these regulations. Copies of the rule may be obtained from the Chief of the Bureau of Animal Industry, Washington, D.C.
4.
226 SHEEP DISEASES.
cial disinfection. The permitted saponified cresol solution shall be used at a dilution of at least 4 ounces of the solution to 1 gallon of water.
It is further ordered that the regulations hereinbefore speci- fied be, and the same are, modified and amended to permit the use of substances for disinfecting infectious cars, boats, other vehicles, and premises, as follows:
Compound solution of cresol U. S. P., or a specifically per- mitted brand of “saponified cresol solution,” at a dilution of at least 4 fluid ounces to 1 gallon of water, or liquefied phenol U. S. P. (liquefied carbolic acid) at a dilution of at least 6 fluid ounces to 1 gallon of water, without the addition of lime to show where the solution has been applied. Chlorid of lime U. S. P. (strength, 30 per cent available chlorin). This chlorid of lime solution to be used at a dilution of 1 pound of chlorid of lime to 3 gallons of water.
Amendment 5 to B. A. I. Order 210, dated September 17, 1915, shall cease to be effective February 1, 1916, on and after which date this amendment, which for the purpose of identi- fication is designated as Amendment 6 to B. A. I. Order 210, shall be effective.
Done at Washington this 20th day of January, 1916.
Witness my hand and the seal of the Department of Agri- culture.
D. F. Houston, Secretary of Agriculture.
SECTION 5. Paragraph 1.—The dips at present permitted by the department for the treatment, under official supervision, of sheep affected with or exposed to scabies are as follows:
Lime-sulphur dip made in the proportion of 8 pounds of unslaked lime (or 11 pounds of commercial hydrated lime— not air-slaked lime) and 24 pounds of flowers of sulphur or sulphur flour to 100 gallons of water.
Nicotin dip containing not less than five one-hundredths of 1 per cent of nicotin, provided there is added thereto to prevent reinfection 2 per cent of flowers of sulphur or sulphur flour.
The dipping bath should be used at a temperature of 100° to 105° F., and must at all times be maintained at a strength of not less than 1% per cent of “sulphid sulphur” in the case of the lime-sulphur dip, and not less than five one-hundredths of 1 per cent of nicotin in the case of the nicotin dip as in- dicated by the field tests for such baths approved by the Bureau of Animal Industry.
This amendment, which for the purpose of identification is designated as Amendment 4 to B. A. I. Order 210, shall be effective on and after March 1, 1915.
Done at Washington this 20th day of February, 1915.
Witness my hand and the seal of the Department of Agri- culture. D. F. Houston, Secretary of Agriculture.
QUARANTINE AND TRANSPORTATION. 227
2. State Regulations.
State laws in regard to sheep are continually changing due to unforeseen contingencies. The most attention has been given state inspection in the Rocky Mountain region, which is the home of perhaps one-half the sheep in this country.
In brief, the laws of the several states may be summarized as follows:
1. Those states at present having no laws re- garding the admission of sheep into their boun- daries from other states are: Arkansas, Con- necticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mis- sourl, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Okla- homa, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia.
2. Those states requiring a ‘‘health certifi- cate,’’ at present, are: Alabama, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and West Virginia.
3. Those requirmg compliance to Federal reg- ulations, at present, are: Arizona, California, Colorado and Florida.
4. States accepting only their own officials’ inspection and dipping the sheep before entering their boundaries if from a state under Federal quarantine, at present, are: Idaho, Montana, Ne- vada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming.
Space forbids giving the state laws at length; and, furthermore, they are of interest to only a limited number.
228 SHEEP DISEASES.
LIST OF PUBLICATIONS CONSULTED.
Hutyra and Marek’s Pathology. Friedberger and Frohner’s Pathology. Moore’s Pathology.
Kinsley’s Pathology.
Sisson’s Anatomy.
Moller’s Surgery.
William’s Obstetrics.
Quitman’s Materia Medica.
Craig’s Sheep Farming.
Wing’s Sheep Farming in America. Kleinheinz’s Sheep Management. Stewart’s Shepherds’ Manual. Barnes’ Western Grazing Grounds.
BULLETINS.
No. 20, Div. of Botany, U. S. Dept. Agr. No. 20,, Div. Bureau Animal Industry. Farmers’ Bulletin 575
Farmers’ Bulletin 713.
No. 88, Wyo. Exp. Sta.
No. 99, Wyo. Exp. Sta.
No. 113, Colo. Exp. Sta.
No. 211, Colo. Exp. Sta.
No. 86, Ida. Exp. Sta.
PERIODICALS.
American Journal of Veterinary Medicine. American Sheep Breeder.
Breeder’s Gazette.
National Wool Grower.
The Country Gentleman.
INDEX
Aconite, poisoning by...... 193 PAGCOTMUGU YP senescence 193 Abdominal dropsy......... 121
Abnormalities of the milk. .143
Abortion, contagious ...96, 139 Abortion, enzootic ........ 139 Abortion, sporadic or
PI OMEA 7 SEN cperSru enlace 139 PUURVESRER RCo ire Oe gaukes 149 Accidental abortion ....... 139 BRCOLA MMT foo: <) a ecn = 28.9 ere 55 PNCH GMa fey Ne ase'ae feces Sy oes 128 Actinomyces bovis ........ 96 NCHINOMYCOSIS) en. a5. «is 96 Acute infectious diseases... 84 Administering medicines .. 76 PRE CHEAIS Sts sh cine eae 59 Alkali poisons ........... 183 PUIG yess, <2 Sch. «1 ral ae 127 Amputation of the claws...151 PAT AVON) 9 co 3ycilelatetsieoe sconces, 3 53 PALE INN AE tse as ch ahecisie sy a Sas aee 99 AMAL POISONS %4.).. 2: 2s... 209 Animals, predatory ....... 210 Ami nacemi ay... cies eels ein 84 PAara Mra eerctenc, cies) eee Oe Pe 84 Anthrax, symptomatic..... 87 Anus, imperforate ........ 132 A OPIORY: yt fckctch- eaceraetaumer te 124 Aphthae epizooticae ...... 90 Aragallus lamberti ....... 191 FAVE Oa Se diy ish citys oe NA ee 15
Arsenical poisoning, acute. . 180 Arsenical poisoning,
CHPONIG iG easels Sicks aves si eiene 180 Arterial system .......... 61 INS CIGES! Vee har teeth ar sete race cath 4 121 Ascites, sanguineous ...... 100 Astragalus mollissimus ...191 Peopbebial: 5 eis hs ae esscleaa sie 144 Bacillus anthracis ........ 84
Bacillus bipolaris septicus.133 Bacillus coli
GCOMMUNIS J. 54. +0. loo, eloo
Bacillus cyanogenus
Bacillus edematis maligni.. 85
Bacillus necrophorus .....
Bacillus necrosis
Bacillus ovisepticus ......
Bacillus prodigiosus
Bacillus pseudotuberculosis
OMIA co aon ate eas ccd s ata: Bacillus synxanthum ..... Baewlustetami oi5.%< ase PAGERS Yano ahaa) ersuchones oat
Bacterium Chauveaui
Bacterium tuberculosis ....
Bear
Bearded grasses .........
Belly-ache
ib O ora pM. tc see wears IBYo heads cic arte ouleicyantn PAPO A Wisner eeecsuetens. raters cua BileRaue tora co seagate Black-faced highland ..... Blackde gs misc cic sin wleyerehei avers Blacksquarters.s-c.cce es -crnct:
Bladder
Bladder, paralysis of the. . Bladder, puncture of the. . WIAStING Wa) hee aan Bleeding from the nose...
Bloat
Blood, diseases of the..... Blood poisoning ....... 98, Blood, quantity of........ Bloody urine ............
Blow-fly
Blwe: baer sh cnet hw then tae
Blue bean Blue milk Bot-fly Bowels, inflammation of
WMG MAis cad eters: terete hele Bowels, impaction of the... Bowles ep cacecsacass sete
Bradsot
Brain, coneussion of the... Brain, diseases of the....
229
SEAN
152
148
. 124
230 INDEX
BRAY, fiir fas ghee ewe eens 87 | Concussion of the brain....148 Breeds, classification of.... 24 }| Conium maculatum ....... 203 Breeds, history of the...... 15 | Congenital defects of lambs. 132 Breeds, lesser known...... 51 | Congestion of the lungs... .109 Bronchitis, non-parasitic ..109 | Constipation ............. 115 Bronchitis, verminous ..... 169 | Consumption ............. 95 Buck, care of the......... 73 | Contagious abortion ...96, 139 Buckwheat rash .......... 123). "Convulsions: a5. secsale ee cee 124 Bulletins consulted .......228 | Copper poisoning ......... 181 Cord, diseases of the....... 124 Caleuli; renal”. o2. 24.52 2. 105 Gorriedale-.4 2. 6 oe 51 Caleuli, urinary ...... 4,0 146) Cotswolds. ei: ge seem 48 Calendar, shepherd’s ...... 68 | Cotton seed meal, poisoning Cakediibaga shai sist ania 143 Ly, Bice ac a a ae ee 2 Camals).death << tae. ce sce 190 COU Sais ec. ie eit ea aa 216 Canine rage ............. Ue) | Cawhtiniet i - s05 oer cee 194 Canker of the foot......... ee CONGUE, Chaar! pe one ee 213 @arrpolicracid ir... sae eees- Sily.\y Gieamiin aie ote eee 53 Carbolie acid poisoning. Beeslites: Cross-bred sheep OO aU ME SAC ey 52 CanCea gerard ewer tssere ets 97 | Croton oil, poisoning by. ..203 Care: joenenall 2.05 merce oie our 64 | Croupous enteritis ........ 118 Care of the buck.......... ie} Curdling milk... C-ricarsine 144 Carevor the ewes es.cer 69 Cystic kidneys ....... 123, 105 Care of the lamb.......... Td [NOyshitig: 3: pe: Ge ieee 105 Carpal joints ............. 56 | Cysts, abdominal ......... 123 Caepusity a. sestartit: on ore 54 Carrying sheep ........... 67 | Deadly nightshade Caseous lymphadenitis..... 95 poisoning by ........... 198 Castration of lambs....... 72 | Death camas, poisoning by. 190 Catarrh, nasal ...:.).. 108, 168 Decomposition of the fetus. 140 Catarrhalofever. 2. 2.25. 88 Defects, congenital ....... 132 Catarrhal fever, malarial... 97 | Delphinum ............... 192 Catching sheep) 2133.05). - ses 66s) Dialbetesisicos 2: tee 103 Weems eke sete te ate pt cyan 284" Diaphrapml =.= 7.4.45 eae 56 Cheeks (2 aitioa ins she tecten a6); yDiarrhea’ 7.455 2c eee 117 Gheviot .. 32-20: 50-5 n5.5+ 09 [| Diarrhea, infectious). 40-8 135 Chilled lambs............. 71 | Diarrhea, non-contagious ..134 Chlorid of lime............ 81 | Digestive system ......... 56 Choke a5 Ger ueace ems ve 111 | Digestive system, diseases Choke cherry, poisoning by. 195 Of thes sage cavern tieueeneee 111 Cicuta occidentalis ....... 194 | Digitalis poisoning ....... 202 Circulatory organs, diseases DAG TtS e226 teas cpt hore afither era tte acre: LOG. be Dipping sa... ere cee 157 Circulatory system ........ 61 | Dipping, losses from.......223 Classification of breeds.... 24 | Dip, lime and sulphur..... 157 Claviceps purpurea ....... LOK feDip, MiColininery iene enr 161 Claws, amputation of the..151 | Dip, tobacco ............. 161 Claws; erythenia ‘of :the.:; 5-128) Dips oS at oes ie ClOogweL® Mien cacrsesteae ee oe 115 | Dips permitted by Cochlearia armoracia ...... 204 COVEINMENE > = soya | eo 223 GOlic rei crwe mien gerenely scorer ages 116 | Diseases and exposed sheep Colon Ae ace kes pegs) wel 58 transportation require- Common salt poisoning... .184 ments’ foro... acieeioee 222
Common ‘seab”......2...-. 154 Diseases, acute infectious.. 84
INDEX
Diseases of the blood...... 99 Diseases of the brain and CONUS Teenie ee ek Tarte: 124 Diseases of the circulatory ROAM Sopa rs erase he, sets 106 Diseases of the digestive SVS UOT asain = uote wets, ctl Aa lll Diseases of the ewe........ 138 Diseases of the heart VAULT A Techs Sar he ea ae ts Meurer c 107 Diseases of the lamb....... 132 Diseases of the liver ...... 120 Diseases of metabolism ...102
Diseases of obscure origin. . 130 Diseases of the organ of ROCOMOLLON = =... G)-). S20 see 126 Diseases of the peritoneum. 121 Diseases of rambs and
WEGHERS I teens esoccin oR 146 Diseases of the respiratory
OTUEER NEN Cnc Raney actos ee i 108 Diseases of the skin, non-
PUT ASUG Con rc dexs oy cca beret 127 Diseases of the urinary
ES AS ede ce ae ayiaves ores ws 104 Diseases, parasitic ........ 153 Diseases, surgical ......... 148 Diseased teeth ............ 148 Wusinfectants: for. as ess 81 Disinfection of cars,
premises, e6C:) 2... 3... boeies 224 Dislocations: 08... cde res: 151 Disorders of gestation..... 138
Displacement of the uterus.141
Distoma hepaticum ....... 173 Mrstomatosis sei. ee 173 WOES ES Tate ss ska oe 43 Dosage of medicines ....... 77 Drenchingy pba 76 Dropsy, abdominal ....... 121
Dropsy of the pericardium. 106 Drugs frequently used.
UEC) irc Ae BR aig eo 78 WAPI ALD oie es oho Sctchale Ss Oe 115 EVs LO bate tele ae 121,.154 Wy SGAD, sos aot hohe es 154 Dysenteria neonatorium ...135 DRG SENULEIYG: fit lo: j- uke oe old oe 117 PRGRCORID. 65x cg nceso cee hs 139 BAN ere secs ccs ots aie ern 61 Bathing) wool... tse ey. 102
Eehinococcus polymorphous. 105 HMelawmpsia. .. 22... yteles 125, 142
231
GAO cele ca hop Sera ral ares 128
Edema malignum ......... 85
Hibow: jointiet 205 oy sade tamed
Emergency medicine case... 80 Emergency treatment in
POISOMIN Ge. 2s cases eras 188
Emphysema, gangrenous ... 87
Bicep halitis:) ce. ase oe 124 Ensilage poisoning ........ 206 be RUGIS eno sata vireinds soe 117 Enteritis, croupous ....... 118 Enteritis, mycotic ......... 118 Enteritis, non-toxic ....... WT WmtenwhISs toxics scive rea 119 Enzootie abortion ......... 139 Byprdidyamisi cer. eee cies se aes 60 Bipillepsiyaer. sitte ec nee cee 124 Hipistasas wae ss 6.5 fret cack tree 108 Epsom salt poisoning ..... 184 Ergot, poisoning by....... 197 BEY SUPCIAS kth sere ae pee tle es 154 Erythema of the claws. ...128 Esophagostomuin
Columbianum .......... 175 Hsophacus, <u. peer 58 Esophagus, obstruction of
Na deters eee Senha AMER aA 111 BISGMUMIN sree ts eve hepensis uke ee 69 HStris: OVIS! 2%). eke + 166, 168 thm ord ey.) Seperate 53 Biwe care of thers 2 spac. 69 Ewe, diseases of the....... 138 Ewe, restraint of, during
PAULUUDUG ON rete 139 IX bCNSOLS) chanson arama 56 External parasites ........ 154 WV Go as ha aot onsite ce ne 61 RACER 2 costs! a ikea ahaa eee 53 Falling out of wool........ 127 Fallopian) tubes)... <.0 2. 60 Randel bound? ij. pe isco 115 Fasciola hepaticum........ 173 HatesCalagaciee, cavers 128 WapiyMailkh ete Goa. tes teeuneps 144 Federal regulations ....... 221 ReeU IN oocyte Asha + Sika 67 Female genital organs..... 60 EMU soar eee 55 Fermenting milk.......... 144 Fetus, decomposition of
Ue et seein cing. art Pee 140 Fetuses, mummified ....... 123 Bulbulateee: beacnt set cconfndot OO
232 Rin'e-wools thew - 42k sec 24 1 Ne ep eee roo ca DC Bi De 124 Rilaxe pOlsOnimoyaany este et 204 ARI GaSe Rie ee See a 166 Bes) ot ae tena oee es 2 166 Foot-and-mouth disease ... 90 Foot, canker of the........ 152 Rooteroteen sere eee 97 NOObMS CAD eee eee cease 163 Hormralliinye x eee oss eee 81 RFACHUEES imei oe ee ee 151 Hrontallsre, settee eee es 5333 Brom alimbieencers ok eee oe 54 Fur-bearing sheep ....... vO
Gangrenous emphysema .. 87
Gastromycosis ovis ....... 87 General icarese sa. 72 oe 64 Genital organs, female .... 60 Genital organs, male....... 60 Gestation tanct. cuneate: cee 69 Gestation, disorders of..... 138 GID See oie ete cae 124, 167 Glanders' sss <1. sree he ee 96 Glauber’s salt poisoning. . .184 Gleet 3 hic, heat eter 6 ease 168 Grapesion c,h ter cacti ay tenis 95 Grasses, bearded .......... 206 Grass staggers ........... 115 Gray lhe, sc Sere te ead evil hate 146 Greasy: heels). pons, 128 Grub injthe: head... :. .:-.,... 168 Hampshire, 2. seat eye eve 36 Handling) 3 nares 5 oa ee 66 Heads erubyingthes: -ss.s: 168 Head ‘scabs. e524 = ces 163 Heart, valvular diseases
Ols GHENT cach ce cgahss 107 EEG G yaionine rasta ome eee 61 ‘Heart, hypertrophy of the. 107 Heat stroke! Sites Sot wart. 124 Helenium montanum ...... 199 Hellebores 4.5 sitet cent oe 196 Hematurias sec ces 3 ae 104 Hematuria-ictero ......... 97 Hemlock poisoning ........ 203 Hemorrhage from the nose. 108 Hemorrhage, umbilical ....132 Hemorrhagic septicemia ... 88 Hepatitis W%c)..aee caem en dee 120 Hernia eee eetis 1325/1746
Highland, black-faced ..... 52
INDEX
Hip Olnts Seo seein ee oe 56 History of the breeds. ..... 15 Hock joint -2 ses ae Pyar OG LO OS@° 2%, sch) cts oe ree 169 “Horse radish poisoning... .204 IROVeN ahecthet see eee 112 Humerus) 2 tes ons oe 54 IBIS: ice Yew c oe Seeerseree ie 169 Eiydrometia® ie sper 123 Hydrephobia -...2...5..-- 93 Ey dnOps aiScibess se ae net 121 FLV OTCTIGi:-s ier. Sees eure 63 Hymenoxys floribunda ..... 200 ER OLGIAES RY Fie Oe an see 54 Hyoid muscles’ 2.4. 4.2.52 56 Hypertrophy of the heart. .107
Hypodermic medication ... 77
Ictero-hematuria ......... 97 Teterus> fiansccc-s eres sc eee 120 TSA SRE ees ee ee oe 55 Immediate slaughter, sheep
TOP Nace gtices ache enero 222 Impaction of the bowels... .115 Impaction of the rumen....114 Imperforate anus ......... 132 Impotence sei. se gee eens 147 Indians poke TO0t oes a 196 Infectious diarrhea ....... 135
’ Infectious diseases, acute.. 84
Inflammation of the bowels. 117 Inflammation of the :
KIGMeY Sie oe cating teks ene 105 Inflammation of the liver. . .120 Inflammation of the lungs. .109 Inflammation of the
PleW A cian he tee 110 Inflammation of the udder. .143 Inflammation of the womb
OF ULErUS ais aceon ae . 142 THj UTIs” yhaers ye toca acne 149 Internal parasites ........ 166 Interpantetals ie... 26 oe ae 53, Intertricow, 2/7 sra.. ieee 128 Intestines Seniesa ere 58 Ao aN Dhan lye, Ghee ety Sides sakes c 55 Itch, non-parasitic ........ 127 TVys SS ae acc, foe eee 196 Japp: disease-....2.....4.. 109 SAUNAICEN 33 Hei jets wane ee 120 JOM Wesson eee aes 133 SOMES sik Sh so ee ee
INDEX
Kafir corn, poisoning by.. .205
Kalmia angustifolia ....... 196 Kalmia latifolia ::.24.:..% 196 LSC HEE SERS COGS eae HR ama 51 IRGNE Cee laplens verte) tatbcohstes 51 HRIOM EY Sa eis sesttne tha nlek-oleie ahs 59 IKGUMEY SS VCYBLIC po wch ose: oo 105 Kidneys, inflammation of
WGA a ara cants cts ose mtcese 5 Barve 105 Lamb, care of the......... 71 Lamb, diseases of the...... 132 SDE UNI Dae ol atte ieee secs va aes ws 70 Lambing, difficult ......... 139 Bamba is arctey tae tae Sel 196 Lambs, castration of...... 72 emis chilled) .-8aee ke (al Lambs, pustular eruption
CO Ta 4 Arce eet ee ER Oe Re PRE 137 Lambs, reviving
SAUIRGLGSS ie <a saires setts, x (ly, dare Lambs, weaning of......... 73 Lacrimal bone ............ 54 ATIUTINUGIS) cscs) rs on lege prises 114 IDENT GTUIRG us ica tee rons ihc “e sacerhenkcteay nates 58 Larkspur, poisoning by....192 Laurel, poisoning by....... 196 Beading sheep) sic. 6a. es 66 Lead poisoning, acute...... 178
Lead poisoning, chronic. ...179
NTGICOCS TOT. sigcite es ates ore dues 44 ILTeet Seach ee eee ee te 165 ILiisr nadevan ise Po ero 5 aro os Glee 55 Ligamentum nuchae ...... 55 iLiren) OLSON hee ety eee O eee 54 Bunb,” pelvic = e350 2 cet 55 Lime and sulphur dip..... 157 Lime poisoning ........... 185 PAMIGOlnas see mtareselo ehh etaede 48 Linum usitatissimum ..... 204 Lip-and-leg ulceration .... 97 IES DSS Sy Brcteeeae Apa were eerie 56
Liquor cresolis compound... 81
J DIRK Rhea h Eines. Caen tie O 58 Liver, diseases of the...... 120 NOTVeT-MIey seiner aes 173
IDIKKGIe TIGL pice o boo Cmmia So oe 173 Loading sheep... ....:5.,+. 67 LUG AE TE ee ne cial Merete 190 ROCK a Wee icy atovant betes) oo oho a 92 Locomotory organs, diseases
i i Gee eens oaennerhr ys reas 126
Loco, poisoning by ........ 191
233 Long wools, the........... 44 PON pine iG. fee eat Ah 130 Lucilia macellaria ........ 165 Eaves \aWeer beter eset ee aie 96 NOU OMECVEN: Bee hF ein eo cece oe 109 Dune WOLMS! 9). oe vonhentye ages 169 LL Vb a2 fi cerry Se ers Vk rien e hr 59
Lungs, congestion of the. ..109 Lungs, inflammation of the. 109
Lupine, poisoning by...... 192 I UpPIMOSIS esa accu ecuieee wets 120 pS ee eee rete vara ts 192 Lymphadenitis, ovine
CASCOUS? iconts ecw. ho vue bios 95 Lymph. ‘syste 9.20 cate. 61 UDG 1: ON Bes seat pe nes fe tg ed Ane ES 215 RY SSB g Accor eede akc Lescceo om tkeraeNe 93 Mad=d0p Par. ccs cone cite = 93 Mad-staggers ............. 130 IMA COUS irri ee oie 165 Malar sibonew aciascinerets ties 54 Malarial catarrhal fever... 97 Male genital organs ....... 60 Malignant edema ......... 85 Malignant pustule ........ 84 Mammary glands ......... 60 IMNeTThiS) sole none oo oe bee ac 143 Miamtcipleneeyer tect ckroers: 54 Miao yr reesei en eases ey set 154 IMIASSOLER OS Wages estonia s Wisse cevets 56 IMA StIGIS ct septs tt staere eae ores 143 Mieixalll aisepegerstes otsncran trots aches 54
Meconium, retention of the. 133 Medicines and their
administration ......... i) Medicine case, emergency.. 80 Medicines, dosage of....... 77 Medium wools, the........ 31 Melophagus ovinus ....... 163 Mercurial poisoning ...... 182 Mercuric echlorid ......... 81 IMC TAT O set Sess evens ares 24
Metabolism, diseases of... .102 Metacarpo-phalangeal
OMNES cure hee ate, . aaelee ee 56 MEtaCATpUS syne. aor outer ao Meta SIS® “oni s.cscosnclecuae 55 Met eorism. sco sere er ae oe inl WSETGISS. sc oer eo retiree ake 142 Miescher’s tubules .. ..... 175 Milk, abnormalities of the.143 Milk, absence of........... 144 IMG copa aly SISissrela sa nore ecoe cbs 72
234 VET Kea DLUC Waar eens olden 144 Milk; curdling 5 er eee 144 Mille Vdisense Serene er 142 WEIS, tabi s. saps aetna 3 144 Milk, fermenting’ <2. 22... 144 Milk, foreign matter in... .145 Milk, putrescent ......... 144 WIT REG LPs SO eo otocmeeneee 144 Milk, slimy, stringy
ANG SOLPYy ewer ss electors Sa 144 IETS wai leriverercy.tte tecc-he cuss 144 Milks nvyellow wotni..: stressor 144 Mineral acid poisoning..... 183 Mineral poisons .......... 178
Monieza (Taenia) alba....174 Monieza (Taenia) expansa.174
Monkshood i stevere een 193 MOU OMe yrcinter shen ere acts 15 Muscular system ......... 56 Miursimonre seis craure tai ie 15 Mycosis intestinalis ...... 84 Mycotic enteritis ......... 118 Nadal-caharrlion (ose areas 108 INIPISEMIE XO Geloctnia cis coe 54 Niaisalll (CaWIbY:, creer \nseue et 58 Navelet lle seravsiaca ssn stanarsl st 133 Necrotic stomatitis ....... 137 INGDHIGIGIS 7 sehen h caress cae 105 Nervous system .......:.. 61 “Nibbling” disease ........ 130 INIGO DIAM sos sietarae esse si 202 INT GO GMC IPS ose tet sees 161 Nodular disease .......... 175 Non-contagious diarrhea . ..134 Non-parasitice bronchitis ...109 Non-parasitie diseases of
the skign Qin oe ke shit he 127 Non-parasitic itch ........ 127 Non-toxic enteritis ........ ley Nose, hemorrhage from the. 108 Wostrils sae iisveains selene © 58 GDESIEY. | oistettsis Shae ito ve the oe 102
Obseure origin, diseases of .130 Obstruction of the
ESO phaouSHi)-4) sous sane es 111 Occipital eee wee 53 Olfactory organs .......... 62 Omphalophlebitis ......... 133 OVATIES: Noes tents octane 60 Oxtord os cs tact vero crak 35
INDEX
Palate sun) s otc teeta heee 56 Palatine bone ........ 2... 54 Berm aritiitiy cro eee 152 Banniculiist shy see eee ee 56 Parasites, external ........ 154 Parasites, internal ........ 166 Pargiyigise inccit: beatae 125 Paralysis of the bladder . . .122 Parasitic diseases ......... 153 Parietalls: vi aks eee 53 Parturient paresis ........ 142 Parturition, difficult ...... 139 Pasteur treatment ........ 94 Rate asivatc.s) ok Sas OD Pearly disease ............ 95 Pelyiel limbece So oe ene 55 Penis: "3c Gi er es er ates 60 Perleardium ) sso). 2 ae 61 Pericardium, dropsy of the. 106 Penicarditis’s 3 Ai 2 we 106 Periodicals consulted ...... 228
Peritoneum, diseases of the. 121
Peritonitis.<... 1.0 oe 123 Persian of... ain ates Pertoleum poisoning ...... 185 Phalanges ie ai aeons 55 PRAT ye eso cenmrees 58 Phosphorus poisoning ..... 181 Pilesisses, stite cetaceans 119 Bingueltys 2.2. Ae aoe ae 200 PANT Opps ee 5 cach coo peer Ue ea 100 Piroplasmosis ............ 97 PLGULISY cones caste 110 Pleuritiss sta eee 109, 110 Pneumonia; 3/.305 25a 109 POISONS)s..2 ao). ee V7 Poisons:- alka... eee 183 Poisonsivysns: aa eee 205 Poisons, mineral ......... 178 Poison oak, poisoning by. . .205 Poison ‘seco. euyian noes ee 190 Poison, sumac ........... 205 Poisons, vegetable ........ 185 Poisoning, aconite ........ 193 Poisoning, acute arsenical. 180 Poisoning, acute lead...... 178 Poisoning, blood ....... 98, 133
Poisoning, carbolic acid...183 Poisoning, choke cherry. ..195 Poisoning, chronic
arsenical Poisoning, chronic lead. ...179 Poisoning, common salt... .184
Poisoning, copper ......-..
Poisoning, cotton seed meal
Poisoning, croton oil.....
Poisoning, deadly
nightshade Poisoning, death camas Poisoning, digitalis Poisoning, emergency
PREALUMIEIG MM ienetay sos) syeneos Poisoning, ensilage .......
INDEX
Poisoning, epsom salt..... 184 Poisoning, ergot ........- 197 Roisonine, flax... 2... 3. 204 Poisoning, Glauber’s salt. ..184 Poisoning, hemlock ...... 203 Poisoning, horse radish... .204 Poisoning, kafir corn..... 205 Poisoning, larkspur ..... 192 Poisoning, laurel ........ 196 Poisoning, lime.......-..- 185 Poisonime) lOCO ee oe 191 Poisoning, lupine ........ 192 Poisoning, mercurial ..... 182 Poisoning, mineral acid ...183 Poisoning, petroleum .....185 Poisoning, phosphorus 181 Poisoning, poison oak..... 205 Poisoning, porcupine grass .207 Poisoning, potato tops ....205 Poisoning, rape seed ..... 203 Poisonings, rare mineral...185 Poisoning, rubber weed... .200 Poisoning, saltpeter ...... 183 Poisoning, sheep dip...... 184 Poisoning, sneeze weed....199 Poisoning, sorghum ...... 205 Poisoning, strychnin ...... 201 Poisoning, toadstool ..... 204 Poisoning, tobacco ....... 202 Poisoning, turpentine..... 202 Poisoning, uncommon plant.208 Poisoning, veratrum ..... 196 Poisoning water hemlock. . .194 Poisoning woody aster.....198 IPGISONING, | ZING) ye) ne as 182 Poreupine grass poisoning. 207 Post mortem examinations. 82 Potato tops, poisoning by. .205 120b 2) dena Aapeovait Grd ce ist Oo. 89 (Prairie Ol. tis ater erts eben 218 Predatory animals ....... 210 iDiGagroilei= A oln olan ceo 0 0 54
235 PVOWUIGEI )poheties cave <iehste ce ielte 60 Prostabevnciiss)ac 2 suhilneus 60 Prunus demissa .......... 195 Pseudo-tuberculosis ....... 95 Psoroptes communis ovis... 154 IRteny Old ONE. ...r. drs « 54 Publications consulted ....228 lexan: vate itera anes 166 panlesc sieritanisi ess see sto 166 munlexasenratice psa. sere: 166 Puncture of the bladder. ...150
Pustular eruption of lambs. 137
Pustule, malignant ....... 84 Putrescent milk ....:....- 144 CRM cst he Saray 2 sae Ale Rah tae 98 vom einai eatery rice ae rten= 123 Pyo-septicemia of suck-
WEG: fic, haps east e see 133 Quarantine regulations ....219 Ouran terial seca ere enetauere 87 Ra DIES eqs aie Secrest rocco eke 93 RaChitisn rs cece sans 102 EVELCILUIB Raters pot noesie rn auees years 54 PRAM =N OES cist. esate ttete out meaane 128 Rampbouillet) se oe cienes, «1c 31 Rams, diseases of......... 146 Rape seed, poisoning by... .203 VAIS Wiggers tee ane paasee nie os erees 128 Rattle sweede <j. 5 20 am 191 Red samilkse eae are cahehe ose 144 (Redewateng ser cts ances 100 Regulations, quarantine
and transportation ..... 219 Regulations, state ......... 227 Removal of contents
Ole UM ene) ok rons 150 Renalealewlit er 2 ssn ite. 105 Renal inflammation ....... 105 Respiratory organs,
diseases of the ......... 108 Respiratory system ....... 58 Restraint of ewe during
Parturibion-% 2.2. onsk eae 139
Retention of the meconium. 133 Reviving “lifeless”
LENT nla Rae ee Milan rere tre: UR IB, UNCUT hISIU a eee ct cee 126 hse GtVerESIvOuday esa 205 TEST) Senaptnes SRA he 8 io SOT Pare 53 GK etisalat s omeee 102 RINGER PES 16 ste) ..0 «here ohekot area 88
MRAM GWOT soo tivte evaieheperenspens 129
236 i MOMMA Mb 50 GE kna.o AE ao ohn 51 Rubber weed, poisoning by .200 Rumen, impaction of the. .114 Rumenotomy ............. 150 UUPRUEE Seer eects 132, 146 Sacro-iliae joint .......... 56 St. Anthony’s fire ........ 154 Salivary glands .......... 58 Salt peter poisoning....... 183 Sanguineous ascites ....... 100 Sarcocystis tenella ....... 175 Sarcoptes scabei ovis...... 163 Sarcosporidiosis .......... 175 Seab, common ............ 154 Scab; 2100 eee te een se 163 Scab.shead) ps ccerrtet ni 163 Seabies affected sheep, movement of........... 221 SOO so boos tags oao8 eC 54 SCVOWUNN seer ereet a en 60 SCUIEEe Ai cece rene Seer cee 154 Sepiieenkia, . tor. 52s oe 98 Septicemia gangraenosa ... 85
Septicemia, hemorrhagic AOS. Septicemia hemorrhagic
Gh/Witn MA ig eo macoloee alo SG 88 Sheep-dip poisoning ....... 184 Sheep exposed in transit. ..222 [Lote] Cn <0 (aa eR ee a, 89
Sheep scab .........-.,.--- 154
Shepherd’s calendar ...... 68 Shipments from public
SO Se, Goousos so nub 224 Shipping sheep ........-.- 67 Shoulder) jointiye eos. <a ens 55 Shropshine jcc qaep ers dl SIRGUGHOVI Gs oho ciote ss ole bone 53 Slimane etre ontiioitucic: elektro os 61 Skinie drying... 41 es oe 132 Skin, non-parasitic
diseases of the ......... 127 Stipes eins dos ocron peer ape Lay Silchar ee rele DME | Ge ees nye thy etre 197
Sneeze wood, poisoning by.199
SHOGS ricerca rer epee easy 169 Sriillesiata cscs ee ee 108 Solanum nigrum .......... 198 Solar eczema ........-.--- 128 Sore: mouth! £3 -e wee 137 Sorghums, poisoning by... .205 Southdown tae rene 32
Special senses, organs of... 61
INDEX
Spermatic cord -/0:.. 55... 60 Sphenoideas quote 53 Spinali cords. . cw ee 61 Dpleenreds Ro eee ae 58 Splenic apoplexy ......... 84 Splenic fever... ss... Fae 84 Staggers ecm eek 115 State regulations ......... 227 Sterility cstpyss. sie cee senete 145 Shernumn 64/0. ysis dR 53 Slulesj Ot yc ./oe ce wee 56 SUPA ae Gate AS cua ae Soke eae 207 ISCOMACKY cays chairs stderr 58 Stomach worms .......... 171 Stomatitis .......,.. rhs 137 SETCUCHES ee cae ag tee es 116 Strongylus contortus ...... 171 Strongylus filaria ........ 169 Strychnin poisoning ...... 201 Sturdy )...22) sei ena 167 Sucklings, pyo-septicemia
OD eta Btn ee ee 133 STULOCATION steer einer 132 PUTO yes iene eso ee eee 43 Summer, ‘seals 2..0°8. 6 dea) suse 128 Suny Stroke, os .tes, vex. wsyertoorw 124 Surgical diseases ......... 148 SUULAED RAVER BANG SERA RIE Ac Oc 149 Symbiotes scabei ovis...... 163 Symptomatic anthrax ..... 87 Synovial SHS). Sam. sian 56 Taenia coenurus .......... 167 PLapewormMs: 2.2). seeeens 174 Tapeworm cysts .......... 105 MAPSUIS grit en cks rae etree ae 55 Taste, sense of..........., 62 Mesto. siiesnta ecu ae 57 Teeth, diseased ........... 148 Memporals<)5.6 tant 54 Temporo-mandibular
articulations ......,..-.- 55 Mesticleses.8)..d0c' os oeeeieacns 60 Tetanusyaci. «cease 92, 137 (NAOKO, CPM Ath Gon abo oo 59 Mhoracicslimnbs jee eee 54 THOT AXW ae senate nici erates 53 Marushh) sc0s4+: tah. sans ea ereeeee 137 Thy iiss, oo 62 ee eee bg iy roid’. Ss stee chee 59 AD Ta. ever ye Sores pce eeees 55 Tibio-fibular joint °........ 56 TICKS His aie eee hte p ies 163 Toadstools, poisoning by. ..204
INDEX
SRODACCONGIP. re cierhe e epee eee 161 Tobacco poisoning ........ 202 MON GWE riteivn coi he ctnas Geeta 57 PONS Urata isles sea <a) s eee er 58 MOXACHENCETIbIS 2/0. la aes 1T9 ACHE a oWee ete totais seta 59 Transportation regulations .219 Mrembles, iPass cide. ote 130 Trichocephalus
spherocephalus ........ 165 AR USTINUS iyerclces: sieratot:, «fe eee © 92 “Trotting” diesase ....... 130 MMPETCULOSIS! we 4 )-)- 9 2 © a. 95 RIMINI ev eheics Laie Syaane 52 MINUTIAE ole exe succece eet 54 ALUMS IC Kage ears nds Sess sisal 167 Turpentine poisoning ...... 202 SINR b rie care w-cvhevarre ee ation 115 Udder, inflammation of the. 143 Ulceration, lip-and-leg .... 97 WIT SA Gre, Araceae nee ene ae 54 Umbilical hemorrhage ..... 132 Wireman ata aw lerseee pene 104 Wireter’ oko S as kus selves Oo Urethra es. Vian. stones 60 Urinary caleuli ....... 74, 146 iniiary Organs: 2. oss x. 59 Urinary organs, diseases of
HIVE Meds (La Seat eee nad sca She 104 Wires bloodys wes. oon 2 ox 147 WWitemuSmweccee ass 2c eter Sener 60 Uterus, displacement of
WN GMs scene mere nao wc 141 Uterus, inflammation of
URS: Sake are, sercaeticne nh ieasee eee 142 "\W(Eah OE Sea NEDE OS Saree MEN 60 Valvular diseases of
phe heartsr quae: crass Melee 107 Wariola:, Ovi |. 6.8 ois oden 89 Wiast deferens... cst ose 60 Vegetable poisons ......... 185 Venous system ........... 61
237 Veratrum, poisoning by... .196 Veratrum viride or SPECIOSUMD sin ste hia. ne 196 Vermifuge for sheep dogs. .168 Verminous bronchitis ......169 MERGE DIAG) ra ce eis cians. ears 53 Vesiculae seminales ....... 60 WOTILET:” arvver «ORCS he Ay ee 54 Water hemlock, poisoning Dyer ay seaee pattie en: tal toe eaemere 194 Wratenyemillars a ro ari 144 Weaning lambs’... .:...... 13 Wethers, diseases of....... 146 x\Mibitey placer es arrester. 95 Wihiberscounsp ci ec erc er 135 Wald besimee cule atone ore 192 Wil dkcapirc vv lacmetanc cies 215 VValGifie ar te See ears: 154 Wail ontom pes. cvs eae 190 Walldisp ea tokio aa ite 192 AUC Nhe ei eens a eh 216 Wiolfsbanes 2(.5 27 <2 Anan 193 Womb, inflammation of the. 142 Wooden tongue ........... 96
Woody aster, poisoning by.198
Wioolpalllsen se oocc. ve neye ate 115 Wiooltsealibert Otewei cote 61 Wool! heating? 224.) es 102 Wool falling out.......... 127 Wool sorter’s disease...... 84 Wools. thesine==.— =... ach. 24 Wools) sthe Toner... S 546. 44 Wools, the medium........ 31 VOM IN Oeste eevee 169 Worms, stomach ......... 171
Xylorhiza Parryi (Gray). ..198
Mellow smile yee cat tere econ 144 Mellow sia. ncn aeae eee 120 ZING POLS ONIN Cre ce ee 182 Zygadenus venenosus ...... 190
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