Lambs Dying

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 34, 17 September 1891, Page 3

Lambs Dying

W^ regret tfiasfc reports reach us of fine grown lambs suddenly dying from no apparent cause, and when opened dis» close no further reason., The facts are noted in the- Wool Grower, and the explanation is worthy of attention. The paper remarks :— While the sheep ia tolerably cosmopolitan in its adaptability to climate, it is very susceptible to influx «nee of 'soil and water. Hilly or rolling lands with quick drainage, pure, flowing water* and sweet grass, are the best for sheep ; and where the owner is obliged to keep his flocks on flat, sour lands, he should at all times, but especially in the . «pnng when he has young lambs, take measures to correct all undue acidity in the pastures. That mysterious and fatal disease of lambs, variously known as «ramp, colic, cholera, spasms, &c. is generally traceable directly to this cause namely, the sour, watery grass eaten by the ewes and affecting their milk. It is often the Guest qnd fattest lambs that are taken. They are seized » ith convulsions «ud fall on , the ground, kicking and frothing at the mouth, with eyes fixed and staring, and the bead drawn back. The trouble is caused by -gas in the stomach. or bowels. Generally it is a Hopeless case from the beginning, though, sometimes a tablespoonful of Epsom salts given in warm water, or a lump of fax placed on the back of the tongue to &c swallowed, will «£Eord relief. The Suddenness and violence of such seizures show the immense importance of prevention. This,, should be in the form of ' some alkali to neutralise the acid in the grass ; either sharp wood ashes or lime. Itept constantly in the salt fur the ewes, say one part lime or ashes to three of *alt.