RED-WATER IN SHEEP.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIII, Issue 3132, 31 July 1867, Page 4

RED-WATER IN SHEEP.

To the Editor of the Daily Sotjthekx Cross. Sib, — Having lost several sheep this winter from what I believe to be red-water, and having also been told of lots sustained by some of my neighbours from the same cause, after having treated the patients in the way that neat cattle would be treated ; may I ask you, in the interest of our Auckland sheep masters, to publish, the following description of the disease in sheep, by W. C Spooner, V.S., Soufchamp. ton ? I only fell in with what follows anjevening o r two ago ; and should I be so unfortunate as to &ar e| another case^ I will certainly try it. Mr. Spooner* 8 :

advice with regard to selling an animal in inch ft state to the butcher U, I think, bad. Bather than loie the carcase, altogether, it might be boiled down; the tallow converted into candles f«r home consumption ; the bones sold-to some of our bone-grinders j and the refuse thrown into thejpigs' oask, —l am, Ac, John WaiOiA.ce.

Waikapara, Otahuhu, July 27,1867. «'Red-WjlTEß.—This term doesnot denote theiame disease as in cattle, in which it signifies a discharge of dark-coloured urine. In sheep, it consists of an effusion of red serum, or water in the abdomen outside the bowels, produced by em increaaedaction of the vessels of the peritoneum or serous membrane, which lines the abdomen internally, and the bowels, &?., , externally. It is very common among young lambs before they are weaned as well as afterwards, and sheep are also sometimes affected. It is a very 'dangerous disease, and it usually attacks its victims when feeding off turnips, and particularly during the night, and when the ground u covered Fith hoarfrost. There is some doubt as to the actual cause of disease, whether frqm eating a quantity of cold, watery food, or from lying on, the cold ground. The symptoms are, losb of appetite and rumination, dullness, costiveness, occasional giddiness, and sometimes the head is carried on one side ; but the progress of the oase is often so rapid, that lambs, apparently well at night, have been found dead in J the morning. This being the case, it will generally be advisable to kill the animal affected, if in any ! condition for the butcher ; but where treatment u employed the following will be found » desirable medicine: Sulphate of magnesia' lib. Powdered ginger lon. Powdered gentian lon. Powdered opium ... dissolved in warm water or grueL This medicine will be sufficient,for 10 sheep, or double that amount jof lambs. The flock attacked by this disease should, lif possible, be removed from the turnip-field, or only 1 allowed to remain there during a portion of the day. |It has been recommended, by w*yof preventing this ' disease in young sheep, to give them every fortnight a tablespoonful of common tar, and it is stated upon good authority that this plan has been attended with ', success."