Most deformed lambs, born with twisted legs, can be cured quickly by
tying the deformed parts as near as possible in their natural position
for a day or two. Lambs born with their eyelids too large may be cured
by taking a pair of scissors or a sharp pocket knife and cutting a small
slice or slit horizontally out of the abnormal eyelid, when they will
shrink nearly to their normal size, allowing the lamb to open its eyes.
Black alkali is very deadly to sheep, and especially to young lambs.
Its effects seem to be so sudden that there is little chance for a cure.
Keep the young lambs away from all alkali beds and especially from black
alkali holes during wet weather.
White alkali is not so fatal, yet many good shepherds lose lambs by
allowing them to nibble around alkali beds. Should you have some of
these alkalied lambs or sheep, treat them at once by giving the lambs
one-quarter cupful of vinegar, followed in one hour with three
tablespoonsful of raw linseed oil. Sheep should be given one cup of
vinegar and one-quarter cup linseed oil. Most sheep sick from this
ailment will have a white alkali substance adhering to their nostrils.
Where a lamb has no movement of the bowels, give one tablespoonful of
molasses and raw linseed oil, mixed. When troubled with too much bowel
movement, give one tablespoonful ginger and flour, mixed, once each day
in both cases.