78 



Scab in Sheep. 



Vol. VII. 



parts that have been subsoiled — but this is 

 digression. 



I am, therefore, in favour of the adoption 

 of mules for farming purposes, and believe 

 that their introduction would, in a great 

 measure, supercede the use of oxen ; as 

 many of the advantages promised in the use 

 of the latter, would be found in a mule team, 

 with others, far outweighing; their use in 

 hot weather, for instance, and their conveni- 

 ence and adaptation for all kinds of work to 

 which the horse can be applied ; about as 

 easily kept as the ox, and much less liable 

 to accident and sickness than either, with 

 an agility and perseverance in some kinds of 

 labour which would outstrip both — which is 

 quite sufficient, without making carriage 

 horses of them ! but ours is, indeed, a go 

 ahead country. J. J. 



Middletown, August 2Gth, 1842. 



Scab in Sheep. 



Appearances and symptoms. — The first 

 indications of the scab manifests itself by 

 the starting of fibres and locks of wool from 

 the rest of the fleece. It generally begins 

 on the rump of the animal, and extends up 

 the back and over the sides and neck. The 

 animal is seen rubbing and biting its sides, 

 and exhibits signs of great itching and un- 

 easiness. On examination the wool is found 

 to separate easily from the skin, and there 

 is a red appearance of the skin ; small watery 

 pimples, or tetters, at first show themselves, 

 and finally dry scabs, or a scurf covers the 

 infected place. The skin has a dry, stiff, 

 meagre feel, and it appears to be hardened 

 in lumps or ridges. In severe cases there 

 is a yellowish water below the crust or scab. 

 In time, the wool falls off* from the whole 

 diseased surface, and the flock presents a 

 miserable and disgusting appearance. 



Causes. — The causes of the scab are va- 

 rious; exposure to cold rains, and remaining 

 in low, damp, foggy situations too long, care- 

 Lessness of the shepherd in attending to the 

 cleanliness and comfort of the flock. Un- 

 wholesome food may also bring it on. It is 

 contagious, and easily communicated from 

 one sheep to another, in the same manner as 

 the itch is communicated among the human 

 species. Hence some have considered the 

 disease itself to consist in small animalculse, 

 which burrow in the skin. This may very 

 probably be the case. 



Treatment. — On the first appearance of 

 the scab, or itch, separate carefully those 

 that arc infected from those that are not 

 Having done this, you may then shear the 

 wool, if it be not already off, from the dis- 



eased parts of the sheep. Wash the parts 

 affected with warm soap suds, and rub it 

 briskly with a brush. Then apply some 

 one or more of the following ointments, ei- 

 ther of which will probably effect a cure. 

 An ointment made of equal parts of lard and 

 sulphur, in which is put a small portion of 

 spirits of turpentine. A strong decoction of 

 tobacco has proved a valuable remedy in this 

 disorder, especially in the first stages of it. 



A decoction of the green hellebore, or as 

 some call it, swamp poke, or Indian poke, 

 (the Veratrum viride of botanists,) united 

 with tobacco, has been found very effectual. 

 The mercurial ointment has also been ap- 

 plied with success. 



From the success which attends a solution 

 of chloride of lime, in the cure of the itch in 

 the human system, we should be inclined to 

 think that its use in this disorder among 

 sheep, would be in the highest degree bene- 

 ficial. It is at any rate w r orth a trial. 



Whatever is applied, however, should be 

 applied promptly and thoroughly. It will 

 not answer to do this business by the halves, 

 unless you wish to be always anointing and 

 washing your flock. A small patch left un- 

 touched, will continue the disease and pro- 

 long your labour and trouble. Examine 

 your flock often and closely. Do not trust 

 to general appearances, for a sheep may 

 have this disorder for years, and yet if it 

 be naturally of a hardy and strong constitu- 

 tion, eat and drink, and appear as well as 

 any other. — Maine Farmer. 



Agriculture in former times. 



The profession of agriculture in times 

 past, was not held in high estimation ; the 

 the position of the farmer being that of 

 the humble and contented labourer, his qua- 

 lifications being industry and sobriety. — 

 Education and research were deemed un- 

 necessary, and consequently unknown ; his 

 path was the path of his predecessor, well 

 beaten and easily travelled. But no where 

 do we discover so clearly the characteristics 

 of a people, as in the customs and duties of 

 their women — no where do we see the sta- 

 tion of the man more plainly, than in the 

 bearing of his help-mate — now, apply this 

 principle in the present instance, and the 

 farmer's true position will require no further 

 illustration, for we are told by Sir A. Fitz- 

 herbert, that it was the " wife's occupation 

 to winnow all corn, to make malt, to wash 

 and wring, to make hay, to sheave corn, and 

 in time of need, to help her husband to fill 

 the muck-wain, or dung cart, to drive the 

 plough, to load grain, hay, and such like," 

 &c. Hannam. 



