SCAB in SHEEP, its FIRST SYMPTOMS, GENERAL APPEARANCE AND CURE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 268, 1 May 1875, Page 2

SCAB in SHEEP, its FIRST SYMPTOMS, GENERAL APPEARANCE AND CURE.

To the Editob : Sir,—Referring to my letter of the 16th instant, on the above subject, I may state my reasons for obtruding any little skill I have in the cure of scab in sheep, in knowing that many farmers unacquainted with their management, have embarked a large amount of capital in them, and their success in making them pay is in bringing them to the greatest perfection. At the same time, I am well aware, it would be impertinence in me to address myself to the old settlers of this Province, as some years since they had some experience in that disease (scab) in their flocks. The ports of Auckland are open to receive any number of store and mutton sheep, so that it is apparent the fleece is the first object to the breeder here. To cite a case in point, I was speaking to an upeountry settler some months since, as to whether cattle or sheep paid best ? He went in for cattle, and tor the woolly backs to a certain extent. Ob, said my friend, your argument is all very well; but what would you do if your sheep had little or no wool on their backs? What between ti-tree, fern, and something they call scab, the wool can be easily sent to market. Now, I have often heard it said, “ Where ignorance is bliss ’tis folly to be wise.” See here what is lost by want of a little necessary knowledge: this man loses the most of his wool. He may have infected bis neighbor’s sheep, and that description of wool in the market is next to worthless. To detect scab in sheep the morning is the best time, when the flocks are coming off their camping ground. The infected sheep will linger behind instead of going to feed, or they look uneasy, turn the head round to try and bite something tormenting them. An infected sheep is first attacked on the shoulders and back, and when examined, the skin presents a bluish appearance when the acari or insect is in embryo or white worm-like parasite is visible. In a few days the skin becomes red and rough, and more or less covered with pustules; the animal is restless, it nibbles itself, scratches with its feet about the shoulders, it becomes fevered and ceases to feed, and if the disease is not arrested, sinks exhausted by irritation aud suffering. In the old country where the flocks are not so large as in the “ colonies,” I have dressed with mercurial ointment diluted with four parts of hog’s lard, applied along the back to a grown sheep ; two ounces may be rubbed in. I have effectually arrested the disease by spotting with mercurial ointment, care being taken not to apply too much so as not to produce salivation. Dipping with corrosive sublimate an ounce to the gallon of tobacco water was a favorite remedy at one time, happily long since abandoned. All acids are considered detrimental to the wool; it renders it harsh to the touch, brickie, and instead of nourishing the wool, absorbs the yolk. A great many nostrums were tried in the shape of patent dips ; but some how or other they all give place to sulphur and tobacco water. It is said there is nothing new under the sun, however, that may be, there may possibly be something in the manner in which sulphur and tobacco are prepared. Sulphur is not soluble in water without the aid of an alkali. Therefore, to every four or five pounds of sulphur add oue pound of washing soda. Tobacco should not be over boiled. In preparing for say 100 sheep twentyfive to thirty pounds of sulphur to one-half the quantity of tobacco, also add one pound of arsenic, or two pounds may be safely added if the sheep are much infected, the quantity of water according to the wool on the sheep. I have used arsenic in dipping up to half an ounce to the gallon of water without any fatal results, the

man or men handling the sheep taking care to keep the head between the fore feet while the animal is being dipped to the ears in the preparation, heated to about eighty degrees, Fahrenheit, or something over blood warmth. Many persons are of opinion that tobacco can be applied ad libitum, but it is a great mistake. The nicotine of tobacco is a deadly poison, and will kill weak sheep when used to excess, discolors the wool, deprives it of its lustre, tenacity, and leaves a stain in the wool not easily washed out. Sulphur, on the other hand, nourishes the wool, as it assimilates with it, adding strength to the staple in increasing the yolk, the natural auxiliary to its full development; in fact you cannot over do with sulphur. —I am &c., T. East Tamaki. [Note. —In my last letter a mistake occurred that I wish rectified. “ Hydatid in the head ” is made to read “in the heart.” I may mention Youatt, in his work on sheep, gives a faithful drawing of the “ acari.”] — Weekly News.