SCAB IN SHEEP. 351 



was continued in this half measure for a year, till not only the 

 whole hirsel had become affected, but the disease was communi- 

 cated to the flocks of three adjacent farms. In this case, had not 

 a strict inquiry been made, the disease might have been said to 

 have arisen spontaneously. This, however, was not the case, for it 

 was clearly proven that scab had existed amongst the flock from 

 which the rams had been bought ; and at the time of sale the 

 sheep were not thoroughly cured. 



Various and conflicting opinions exist as to what extent the 

 disease is infectious. Some affirm that it requires sheep to come 

 in contact with the diseased before it can be communicated ; 

 whilst others maintain that the disease is propagated by the 

 mere travelling on a road, such as a public drove-road, from 

 large markets or fairs. I, however, do not think the disease so 

 catching as the latter advocates affirm. For example, I have 

 acted as shepherd for sixteen years on various farms, where the 

 drove road from Falkirk to the south passes through the sheep 

 pasture, and every year some of the lots of sheep were more or 

 less affected with scab, and during all that period not a single 

 sheep of which I had the charge caught the disease. Strict 

 measures were always taken to prevent intermixing, but the 

 sheep were always daily passing along, and crossing and re- 

 crossing the road through which the scabbed droves were driven. 



A stronger proof than this, that scab is not so catching as 

 some affirm, may be deduced from a neighbouring farm, where 

 the drove-road from Falkirk not only passes through the sheep 

 pasture, but it is what is termed a stage from the market 

 to the south, that is, part of the regular sheep pasture is 

 usually let for sheep and cattle to stay all night on, and not a 

 single sheep on the farm was ever known to catch the disease. 

 The ground set apart for letting to droves is very high and 

 exposed, and is free of dykes or rubbing-posts, and is eaten bare, 

 and rendered foul by the droves ; and, consequently, no induce- 

 ment is left for the sheep on the farm to pasture on that par- 

 ticular space for a time. Nevertheless, they are daily crossing 

 and recrossing, which, we think, is sufficient proof that the disease 

 is not so catching as some affirm, and that it requires sheep to 

 come in contact with the diseased animals, or a longer period of 

 time than a single night, for the acari to be deposited on the 

 pasture, or any projecting substance, so that it may be commu- 

 nicated to sound animals. I think this fact illustrates a very 

 important point, regarding which a great discussion has arisen 

 of late, in the Cattle Disease Prevention Bill, namely, to what 

 extent scabbed sheep ought to be allowed to travel publicly, and 

 I think it will appear quite clear that if scabbed sheep are driven 

 straight on the public road, without coming in contact with 

 sound animals, there is no danger of the disease being commu- 



