26 farmers' bulletin 113, 



the various tanks are obtained by a like process. Gauges or rods 

 should be prepared and marked to show the number of gallons at 

 Aarious depths in the vat and tanks. 



INJURY FROM DIPPING. 



Dipping often results in a slight setback to the sheep. There may 

 be a temporary shrinkage in weight, constitutional disturbances, or 

 both. Usually there are various factors operating to produce these 

 conditions. They may occur with any of the standard dips, but 

 should not always be attributed to the effects of the dip alone. The 

 age and physical condition of the sheep, the method of handling the 

 flock at the vat as well as before and after dipping, the character of 

 the water used, the method of preparing the dip, and various other 

 factors should be given consideration before placing the blame on the 

 dip. Young animals in a thriving condition recuperate very rapidly 

 from any temporary ill effects; while old, weak, or emaciated animals 

 succumb very readily and regain lost weight slowly. Injury caused 

 by dipping is more liable to result from improper methods of dip- 

 ping and handling than from the direct effects of the dip. Rough 

 handling of the sheep in the corrals and legging pens, dipping the 

 flock immediately after a long, hard drive before they have rested 

 and cooled off, dipping late in the afternoon when the nights are 

 cold, keeping the sheep without feed and water for long periods 

 before and after dipping, using dogs in the corral, and fighting stub- 

 born sheep to get them into the chutes, are some of the contributing 

 causes of injury. 



Much of the water in the range country carries various amounts 

 of mineral salts, and is commonly known as " alkali " water. Some 

 of the dips do not seem to mix properly with many of these waters 

 and when they are used a separation apparentlj'^ occurs, so that part 

 of the sheep get too much of the active principle of the dip with 

 resultant injury or death, while others get less than is required to kill 

 the parasites. The lime-and-sulphur dip is about the only one that 

 is safe to use with very impure water, although the nicotin dips mix 

 wtII and are effective with most waters. Any of the dips if used too 

 strong will injure the sheep. 



In practical operations it is an established fact that lime-and- 

 sulphur and possibly other dips are liable to cause serious injury to 

 sheep if there are any puncture wounds. A condition commonly 

 known as " blood poisoning " is produced, probably caused by micro- 

 organisms entering the tissues and the action of the dip searing or 

 sealing the wound so that the air is excluded and drainage stopped. 

 Pure lime-and-sulphur solution will not injure a sterile wound. The 

 dip does not directly cause the " blood poisoning," but acts only as 

 a contributing cause and can be avoided by allowing wounds to 



