SK'IiV DISEASES. 



28] 



alcohol. For sheep with heavy fleeces baths are very efficient 

 The following example will neither stain the wool nor mcfcterially 

 endanger the sheep. Tobacco 16 lbs., oil of tar 3 pints, soda 

 ash 20 lbs., soft soap 4 lbs., water 50 gallons : boil the tobacco 

 and dissolve the other agents in a few gallons of boiling water, 

 then add water to make up to 50 gallons, retaining a tempera- 

 ture of about 70° Fahr. This will suffice for 50 sheep. Each 

 sheep is kept in the bath three minutes, two men meanwhile 

 breaking up the scabs and working the liquid into all parts of 

 the skin. When taken out he is laid on a sloping drainer, and 

 the liquid squeezed out of the wool and allowed to flow back 



Fig. 52.- Ox-Tick. -Vekrill. 



into the bath. A second and even a third bath may be 

 necessary in inveterate cases. For newly shorn sheep oily 

 applications are better, being less liable to be washed off by 

 rains. One part of oil of tar to 40 parts castor-oil or lard will 

 usually suffice, but sulphur may be added. if desired. The com- 

 mon use of mineral poisons, and especially the compounds of 

 mercury for sheep dips, must be strongly deprecated. 



In all cases an essential part of the treatment is to dress with 

 similar agents, or with a strong solution of caustic potassa, all 

 harness, brushes, combs, and wood-work, and to subject 

 blankets to prolonged boiling. In pastures, dress every rub- 

 bing post, tree, stum[), stone, or wooden fence, or change the 

 field. 



