132 



VETERINARY STUDIES 



but may eventually reach the body. This form of scab also 

 spreads very slowly from one animal to another. Sheep which 

 are infected with it are apt to be almost constantly stamping 

 and pawing. 



Local treatment, — Any of the sheep dips recommended for 

 body scab may be used to treat this form of the disease. A 10 

 per cent solution of the creolin is simple, safe, and easily 

 applied on small areas. 



Male. 



Fig. 45. — Sheep Scab Mites. 



Psoroptes, male (Cur- 

 tice). Body scab. 



Sarcoptes (Lugger). 

 Head seab. 



J'°fms)e. 



Sarcoptes (Pevtit). 

 Head scab. 



Any dip or ointment that will kill the parasites is sufficient 

 early in the disease, but it may be necessary in old cases to 

 soften the scabs by a little oil or a thorough scrubbing with 

 brush and hot soapsuds. 



Head Scab 



The mites (Sarcoptes) which cause head scab burrow tunnels 

 in the skin. The eggs are deposited in these tunnels and there 

 hatched. This type of scab may appear on almost any portion 

 of the head. It may slowly invade the neck and other portions 

 of the body where the wool is short ; but it is less common and 

 less serious than body scab. 



General Prevention 



Prevention is more important than treatment in any case 

 where it can be secured, because it is surer, it is cheaper, and 

 is usually much easier to administer than treatment. 



Spread of scab. — Whether the scab spreads rapidly over the 

 body or not depends to some extent upon the thriftiness or 



