THE USE OF LIME AND SULPHUR IN SCAB.

Southland Times, Issue 1105, 6 August 1869, Page 3

THE USE OF LIME AND SULPHUR IN SCAB.

The following letter has appeared in a recent number of the ' Australasian.': — Sir, — A letter which I wrote to J. R. Bowe, of Mount Battery, relative to the use of lime and sulphur in the cure of scab, has resulted in tbat gentleman sending me his experiences on the subject. As Mr. Howe's letter appears to me well worthy of the consideration of sheepowners, I enclose it to you (with his permission), for publication. In reypect of lime and sulphur as ingredients for scab-dipping, I am aware that it has been said that it has been used by some sheep-owners without success. This is, I dare say, correct ; and if so is only an experience similar to that which attaches to the history of the use of tobacco, and of every other known cure for this desease, and seems to me to be a circumstance of little moment, and attributable to the improper or unskilful use of these agents, or to the absence of some of the conditions necessary in their application. If the dressing in question is found to destroy life in the acarus on several sheep, under conditions which include all the circumstances nnder which sheep exist in Victoria, and to be easy and simple of application, I think it may be then said that the elements of success ex<st in the agent, and that instances of failure in its use are charge* able to the want of its proper application i alone. — I am, &c, EDWARD M. CUBR Office of Chief Inspector of Sheep, July 8. [We subjoin the enclosure referred to by Mr Curr :]— I " Mount Battery, July 3. " Edward Curr, Esq., Inspector-G-eneral of Sheep, Victoria. " Sir, — In reply to inquiries contained in your letter of the 28th ult., I have the pleasure of informing you that a solution of sulphur in lime (sulphuret of lime) is the best and the most economical dressing for scab in sheep that has yet been applied in Australia, and I say this with confidence, after an experience of upwards of twenty -two years sheep farming.

" The proportions are :— 2oz. of quick lime (slaked will not do), 4oz. of flour of sulphur, and 1 gal. of water. Boil together, and keep boiling for ten minutes, when the sulphur will be dissolved, and form a transparent orangecoloured fluid. There may be a little deposit, but this will only be the droas of the sulphur and carbonate of lime (insoluble), Scabby sheep kept for a miuute in this solution, at a temperature of 100 ° Fahr., not less, and the dipping repeated within ten days, cannot fail to be cured of their disease. It does not damage the wool at all, and discolours it much less than any application I have tried — not half so much us tobacco juice ; if used shortly after shearing, the appearance of it is completely removed from the wool before the next shearing. I believe a compulsory simultaneous dipping of all the sbeep in the colony before the ; Ist January, 1870, would completely j eradicate the disease called scab from the flocks of Victoria. I have cured J a sheep perfectly covered with scab, with a hide like a rhinoceros, in one dipping of the fluid of the strength of one pound of sulphur to the gallon of w&ter. I forgot to mention that tUe strength of the second dipping need not exceed 2oz. of sulphur to the gallon of water. Half thequantity of quicklime to sulphur is sufficient to dissolve it, which is its only use. introduced this solution in this district a few years ago, as you are aware, having read that a similar solution had proved to be an instanteous cure for itch in man, and was used in the hospitals of Belgium. Mr Tolmie, my neighbour at Denaurau, first used it with complete success. Mr Chenery afterwards failed to cure his sheep, though he used it, but that did not arisq from any defect in the solution ; and such failures are common to all applications ; but subsequently I had myself occasion to use it extensively with my flocks, and with complete success ; and, though I have recommended its use to many flockmasters since, I have never heard of its failure. I believe it will be brought into general use in this colony, and your attention to my observations about a compulsory simultaneous dipping is well worthy of your attention as an addition to the new Scab Act. I have been requested by many friends to publish this cure for scab, with the authority of my name, but have hitherto neglected to do so. Tou are, however, at liberty to do so, as my only object throughout has been to benefit my fellow sheepmasters in Victoria. The publication of the receipt under your authority wonld be sure to induce its general use, and the effect would be removal of scab from Victoria. The only reasons which cause men to hesitate to dip their flocks on discovery of scab is the frightful damage done to their wool, and the cost of the various preparations hitherto used. My application meets both these objections, being trifling in cost and innocuous in its effects either on sheep or wooL In calling attention to this latter fact, it will be necessary to recommend the daily cleaning out of the dip, which the cheapness of the articles reuders of trifling consideration. The dung of tbe sheep and dirt of the yard mixed together in solution, form a very gluey compound, and will discolour wool even if hot water only was used. — I am, &c. t " John J. Rowe "P.S. — Some persons have objected that after the use of this application their wool was tender. This is not the case generally, and when it occurs may be traced to other circumstances. The irritation and fever caused by scab itself will render the wool tender. The year that I unfortunately had to use the remedy my wool fetched a higher price than it did for two years previously. " Note. — The preparation should be used as soon as made — the carbonic acid in the atmosphere, and even in the water, deposits carbonate of lime. I boil about 601 bof sulphur and 301 bof lime in about fifty gallons of water, and add to my bath this solution in the proportions I have mentioned; in fact, I keep making the solution whilst I am using it, which w the safest plan." [Mr M'Nab, a gentleman residing at Knapdale, has used the above remedy, and will supply further information to anyone requiring it.]