DISEASES OF SHEEP. 



An ointment is far preferable, for it softens the scurf, and detaches 

 it from the wool, and saves the lieece, and heals the chaps and ulcers 

 of the skin, and promotes the future growth of the wool. 



The mercurial or blue ointment in a greater or less degree of strength 

 is commonly used ; and if used with caution, the real strength of it 

 being previously ascertained, it has generally a good effect ; but when 

 bought from too many druggists, the quantity of mercury is so varia- 

 ble, and so many tricks are played with it, that the shepherd scarcely 

 knows how to use it, and too often salivates, and even destroys, some 

 of his sheep. 



If the mercurial ointment is to be used, it will be of advantage to 

 the farmer, especially if he has many scabbed sheep, to make it him- 

 self, and that he may very easily do if he has a wooden pestle and a 

 large mortar or iron pot. 



RECIPE (No. 13). 

 Mercurial Ointment for Scab. — Take crude quicksilver, one pound ; Venice turpen- 

 tine, half a pound ; spirit of turpentine, two ounces. 



These should be rubbed well togetlier for five or six hours, until 

 they are perfectly united ; and that will be known by a little being 

 taken and rubbed with the finger on a piece of glass. If not the 

 slightest globule can be detected, the killing of the mercury is com- 

 plete; but if the smallest shining particle can be seen, the substances 

 are not sufiiciently mixed. When this is completed, four pounds and 

 a half of lard should be added, and the more rancid it is the better: 

 for it more readily combines with the mercury, and gives it additional 

 power. This lard may be well rubbed with the mixture of mercury 

 and turpentine on a square slab of marble ; or it may be melted, and, 

 when about the temperature of new milk, added to the other ingre- 

 dients, and the whole stirred together until the ointment becomes stiff. 



If the ointment is made during the summer, it will perhaps he too 

 fluid to be thoroughly rubbed into the sheep. It may penetrate among 

 the neighbouring wool, or run off and be lost. When this is the case, 

 one pound of the lard should be omitted, and a pound of black resin 

 -substituted. 



A great deal depends on the manner in which the ointment is ap- 

 plied. It should extend to every part that is in the slightest degree 

 affected, and it should be gently but well rubbed in. The wool should 

 be carefully parted on the middle of the back, from the poll to the tail, 

 and a little of the ointment rubbed in all along the channel thus ex- 

 posed. If the disease is slight, another furrow may be made on either 

 side, at the distance of two or three inches, and more rubbed in ; but 

 if it appears to be inveterate, the divisions should be made at two 

 inches distance from each other, and over ever}' part that is affected. 

 A second dressing may be applied four days afterwards, if the sheep 

 continues to rub itself, but it would not be safe to proceed farther. 

 If the sheep should yet rub, a milder ointment should be resorted to, 

 which may be repeated ever)-^ second day with perfect safety until the 

 animal is cured. Indeed I should be very much disposed to use the 



