SCAB IN SHEEP. 357 



counterbalances for the high price obtained for white wool ; and 

 the smearing serves a double purpose — it acts as a safe and an 

 effectual cure for scab, where the disease has been of long stand- 

 ing, if the sheep have been dressed with the spirit of tar previously. 

 Indeed, some men of great experience maintain that a mixture 

 of tar and butter, properly laid on sheep, will effect a cure of scab 

 in sheep in whatever stage of the disease. And I am informed 

 by a large English dealer and grazier, who has bought annually 

 for the last twenty years at Falkirk from fifty to eighty score of 

 sheep, that during that period, with the exception of one year, scab 

 always broke out on the way, or shortly after his arrival home, 

 and the only cure he applies is smearing with tar and butter, 

 and he never has had to apply the cure twice to the same animal ; 

 but he adds, the great secret of success lies in the shepherd or 

 operator paying attention that no part of the animal is missed. 

 Fifteen sheep per day is all that the most proficient hand can 

 accomplish. Thus, we think, it will appear clear, when scab has 

 existed for any length of time, smearing with tar and butter is 

 an essential application after dressing with the spirit of tar. 



As I have already said, I have never seen nor known the 

 disease break out spontaneously amongst sheep ; and I am firmly 

 impressed with the idea that, if cases do occur, it is the result of 

 bad management, such as overcrowding, overheating, or the 

 want of bathing annually, especially the latter. For example, 

 about thirty years ago, when smearing with tar and butter was 

 the general practice, it was the common belief that sheep would 

 not live during the winter without being smeared once a-year, at 

 least they were certain to become scabbed. So prevalent was 

 this idea, that when an enterprising stock-farmer in Peeblesshire 

 commenced pouring his flock with an infusion of arsenic and 

 water, to obtain a higher price for his wool, he was looked upon by 

 his neighbours with dread, as they considered he was certain to 

 produce scab in his flock, whereby they were sure to catch the 

 disorder. After a successful trial of some years, almost every 

 stock-farmer followed his example, and some ran to the opposite 

 extreme, and kept their sheep in a natural state, without apply- 

 ing any composition whatever ; but the vermin, such as tick, 

 kade, and lice, increased to such an extent that a kind of itch or 

 scales appeared on the skin, which prevented the sheep from 

 thriving, and the owners were compelled to have recourse to some 

 kind of composition to pour or dip their flocks with annually. 

 Although the itch or scales could not be termed scab, still, if 

 their flocks had been allowed to run " white," as it is termed, for 

 years, the result might have terminated in scab ; and there is 

 no doubt that bathing or dipping once a-year with some kind of 

 composition is a safe preventative. 



The great drawback in dipping compositions is the poisonous 



