236 THE COMPLETE FAEMER 



any other, and did in fact more damage in many districts 

 than any other, until the proper mode of treatment was dis- 

 covered. The scab is certainly contagious, and may readily 

 be propagated by merely touching the skin of a healthy ani- 

 mal with matter from a pustule on another sheep ; but as far 

 as my observation has extended the infection is not conveyed 

 through the atmosphere, though it often seems to be epi- 

 demic, and particularly in very damp summers, which aflect 

 sheep in many other ways so unfavorably. 



It is discovered by the animal's constantly rubbing or 

 scratching itself, and making at the same time a peculiar 

 motion with the lips ; the scabs are sometimes dry and some- 

 times moist, and spread very rapidly, though the animal con- 

 tinues healthy in other respects, and generally more lively 

 than before. Afterwards, however, the disorder becomes in- 

 ternal, the sheep becomes emaciated, and dies from weakness 

 and pain. If the scab is observed at an early period it may 

 be easily cured, or at least prevented from spreading. One 

 of the best remedies is a strong decoction of tobacco, to be 

 applied to the diseased parts, after scratching off the scabs 

 with a comb or other instrument. The decoction of tobacco 

 mixed with lime-water and oil of vitriol, and used constantly 

 for some time, will generally effect a radical cure ; another 

 excellent remedy is a decoction of hellebore mixed with vine- 

 gar, sulphur, and spirits of turpentine. Internal remedies 

 are of no use except when the disorder has induced other 

 complaints by weakening the general health. 



The Sheep-Pox. This disorder is contagious and propa- 

 gates itself by exhalation from the sick to the healthy ani- 

 mal, but it has not yet been discovered how far these exha- 

 lations may extend. If, however, it appears in a neighbor- 

 ing flock, care should be taken to mitigate its efl^ects by a 

 general and careful inoculation, since it is certain that the 

 disorder is less violent if taken by inoculation than in the natu- 

 ral way. The operation is perfectly simple and easy. The 

 animal is laid on its back and held by two or three men, 

 while the operator introduces the matter, from a pustule five 

 or six days old, in two or three places between the legs or 

 on the tail. The lancet should be introduced in a slanting 

 direction under the skin about an eighth of an inch, and 

 when it is withdrawn, the skin should be pressed down upon 

 it so as to wipe off the matter and leave it in the wound. A 

 pustule is formed generally in four days, and reaches its 



