8HEEP BATHS. 91 



an arsenical bath is carried on at a distance from the bath I 

 have now to describe, although I know from general observa- 

 tion that, after having bathed the sheep in dipping mixtures, 

 the residue is often thrown into such streams, and thus hun- 

 dreds of trout must fall victims to a useless and dangerous 

 practice. I have often stated that one great objection to 

 arsenical baths for sheep is the danger of entrusting to shep- 

 herds large quantities of a deadly poison. 



To return, however, to the plain-water bath, it will be 

 seen from the sketch, that a space is enclosed with flakes or 

 hurdles, so as to confine a few score of sheep. The soil has 

 been excavated over the length of about 21 feet on the one 

 side of the stream, and a strong wooden bank, constructed 

 with boards about two or three inches thick. Strong stakes 

 having been forced into the ground to a depth of about four 

 or five feet below the bottom of the stream, the boarding has 

 been fixed to them so as to confine the water within a certain 

 limit, and leave ample space beyond for several men to stand 

 on dry soil. In order to swell the stream, that the water 

 may attain near to the level of the board or within a few 

 inches of it, a sluice or dam is constructed below, a suitable 

 stone wall to fix it having been raised on each side. When 

 the sluice is lifted, the water flows off, and the stream is very 

 shallow; when closed down, the bath is full, though the 

 water still runs slowly over. 



At the upper part of the bath, a gradual ascent is pro- 

 vided, so that the sheep may be turned on their legs, and 

 made to walk out on to the green open field above. 



The annexed woodcut indicates the manner in which 

 strong beams support the boarding, and leave space between 

 them for the men to stand on dry ground. 



An ingenious provision has been made in the event of water 

 overflowing. There are two or three plugs which may be 



