1803. On Inoctihitifig Sheep for the Scab: 1^\^ 



them, by the cutaneous difeafe to which thefc animals are fub- 

 je6ted, it occurred to him to make the experiment ol inoculating 

 them with the virus of the difeafe. The experiment has been 

 performed fucceflively upon 8oco lambs and 2cco flieep ; not 

 one of them has died ! and there are very few of them on whom 

 the matter has not taken. To complete this proof, Mr Holf- 

 maiflre has caufed a fecond inoculation to be made upon 1000 

 of thefe animals, and has mixed them with other iheep infected 

 with the difeafe. Not one of them took it a fcccnd time ! 



Without confidering the facl as completely citabliPned even 

 from this moft refpedlable document, I only wiih this intimation 

 to be the means of inducing thofe of our own country, who have 

 the eafy means of putting it to the proof, to make the experi- 

 ment. The infide of the fore thigh may, perhaps, be the place 

 beft adapted for the inoculation. 



With regard to the importance of the inoculation of flieep, if 

 the efficacy afcribed to the m.eafure is once eftablilhed, it is almclt 

 Uimeceirary to oiTcr a fingle obfervation. It muft be evident to 

 every one, in the leaft degree acquainted with the malignity of 

 this cutaneous difeafe, and who is fenfible that, notvvithilanding 

 the ufual precautions of tarring and fmearing, a whole flock (as 

 fometimes occurs), of the moll: healthy and promifing appear- 

 ance, may have received the tainr, before the accompanying cha- 

 racteriflics of the difeafe have rendered the infe<Stlng individual 

 an obje£l of fufpicion. 



It may, however, with propriety be remarked, that as the re- 

 medies of tarring and fmearing are not always effectual ; as, in 

 general, tjiey are only applied when the difeafe has made its ap- 

 pearance : and as they are attended with confiderable trouble and. 

 expence \ any nicdus medend'i^ which has for its objccl the entire 

 prevention of all thofe inconveniences, mull be well deferving 

 the attention and experinient of thofe who are exteniively fub- 

 je£led to them ; particularly fo, when we confider, that as ail the 

 remedies heretofore applied can only be confidered in the light of 

 temporary palliatives, this firikcs at the root of the evil, by 

 rendering the flock infufceptible to future infection. 

 * Nee mala vicini pecoris contagia Indent. ' 



Ahjlnre^ March 20. 1803. R. K. 



Note by tVi CondiiBor. 

 The above fpeculation being ingenioufly executed, caufes us to o-ivc 

 it a place, though we are by no meansi difpofed to think that a preven- 

 tive is neceflary again fl a diforder which rarely happens among the flocks 

 ot good farmers ; aiid, when it does happen, is 10 eafily cured. By the 



verj 



