The rot in sheep : its nature, cause, treatment, and prevention : illustrated with engravings of the structure and development of the liver-fluke / by James Beart Simonds.

  • Simonds, James B. (James Beart), 1810-1904.
Date:
1862
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The rot in sheep : its nature, cause, treatment, and prevention : illustrated with engravings of the structure and development of the liver-fluke / by James Beart Simonds. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    and that the hatching process therefore goes regularly on week by week, we see the necessity for frequent repetitions of salt in the same year, which could not fail to be highly injurious to the pasturage, and also to the soil of the retentive clays, where rot prevails. Repeated small dressings of lime we can conceive to be nearly, if not quite, as efficacious as those of salt in destroy- ing cercarice, and these would stimulate a growth of the better grasses, besides proving of permanent benefit to the soil. Our province, perhaps, is more with the science of medicine in the treatment and prevention of disease, than with the science or practice of agriculture ; but unless some knowledge of the ]atter accompanies the former, the veterinary pathologist will often fail in detecting the causes of disease, and therefore in rightly suggesting preventive measures. The fundamental prin- ciples of preventing the rot of sheep consist, as has been ex- plained, in the destruction of the liver-fluke in one or other of the several stages of its development from the egg to the perfect entozoon, and as an adjuvant to this, the science and practice of agriculture must be brought to bear. Veterinary medicine and agriculture are kindred sciences, and the closer their union, the greater will be the advantage derived by each. We must not, however, be drawn aside by descanting on an inviting theme of this kind, but rather conclude our exposition of the disease we have been investigating by remarking, that if we would save our sheep from rot, we must thoroughly under- drain our wet lands, and improve the condition of the soil and the quality of the herbage ; that we must well protect our sheep in seasons of excessive rainfall; that we must provide for their nutrition by supplying them with a rich and generous diet— flesh-forming and heat-supporting—in proportion to the demands made on the system, and lastly, that we must exhibit those medicinal agents which experience has shown will effect the destruction of the liver-fluke in the earlier stages of its existence, and prior to its entrance into the biliary ducts. These means must be begun early, and not too hastily laid aside. Most of them have also a general application in providing for the well- being of the flock. Rightly may it be said with the poet of Mantua :— “ On winter seas we fewer storms behold, Than foul diseases, that infect the fold ; Nor do those ills on -single bodies prey, But oft’ner bring the nation to decay, And sweep the present stock and future hope away.” * * Dry den’s translation. LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET, AND CHARING CROSS.