THE LOSS OF BREEDING EWES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2120, 11 October 1894, Page 11

THE LOSS OF BREEDING EWES.

(Fhom Our Chatton" Correspondent.)

I notice a correspondent in a late i-sue draws attention to the great loss of breediog ewes in his district (Balfonr), and wonders if other parts of the colony are subjict to the sime loss. I do notremember the symptoms your correspondent gave, or if he described any, but very likely the disease afflicting the ewes in the district mentioned is similar to the complaint that has paid our d : strict a most disastrous visit lately. It seems that the d ; sease has nob confined itself to one far two farmers only, but has spread itself pretty well around. Some farmers have lost nearly one third of their ewes— 3o out of about 100 in one case— while others have lost from 10 up to 100. .

All the ewes that have dud, so far as I can learn, were in good condition and heavy in lamb — mostly with twins.

THE SYMPTOMS,

When firsb noticed the .ewe or ewes will be found standing by themselves, not eatiDg, and when approached will sometimes take not the least heed of one, or if they notica you they will simply wander off in a half-stupid way, not needing in the least where they go to. They will w<tlk in llo o boles or ditches, and are often found drowned. After a while— a day or so— you find them lying down with their nose 3on the ground. They are helpless by this time, and sometimes if you take notice of the nose you will find a thin mucous oozing therefrom. As you examine closer you find that the nose is quite hot, and inflamed internally. At this stage bleeding below the eye does good, and is often the means of saving the ewe's life. As the disease progresses the intestines begin to swell and the ewes appear much puffed up. After this, the complaint rapidly develops, and after a day or so death puts an end to the ewe's life. When opened, the orgam to most people seem in fairly healthy condition, but if closer inspection is made it will be found that there is iayariably

inflammation of the rectum and a constriction in the fecal ducts. In some cases the liver is found to be out of order, being spotted, and bears evident signs of exhaustive-inflammation ; while in others the liver is abolutely rotten and breaks up like a piece of bread.

From a number of examinations made I am oE opinion that the disease is nothing but

INFLAMMATION OF THE LIVER, induced by a stoppage of the larger bowel, and that it is in some way brought about by the kind of feed the ewes are on. A gentle purge if given in time is all that is needed, but if the inflammation has taken firm hold, then a much more heroic treatment must be resorted to. Whenever the ewe begins to grind her teeth it may bo known that the cisc is severe, and immediate steps should be taken to combat the trouble. Proper and suitable remedies for inflammation are known to every farmer, and need not be enlarged on here ; but ib may be stated in parsing that an injection for the bowels is gfnerally the speediest and s : mplest method to adopt.