STOMATITIS IN SHEEP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20075, 12 October 1928, Page 19

STOMATITIS IN SHEEP.

CAUSES AND CURE. Stomatitis is more often discovered among lamlis, Init older sheep often are attacked. Tlio common cause is eating rough fodder, such as thistles or rough grasses. A few years ago trouble of this kind in Victoria was traced to the aphis on a rape crop on which tho sheep were feeding. The aphis, when bruised, exerts a strongly irritant action, especially if the rape is wet with dew or rain. In those circumstances the irritant substance can gain easy access to (he skin by means of the water present. The full effect is not noticed if the jiheep are kept off the rape until the i.un lias dried up the moisture. The disease is not infectious, but as a rule most of the flock are attacked at the same time. Washing the mouth with boric acid, one teaspoouful to the pint of water, and smearing the external sore parts with carron oil, should prove effective. English remedies are laxative doses of Epsom salts, an! local applications of borax and honey, alum solution, or tincture of myrrh. A little nitre added to the salt lick will help to cure. In mild cases removal of the sheep to other pastures will effect a rapid cur®.