Skin Diseases. 373 



and 1 lb. each of soap and alcohol. For sheep with heavj 

 fleeces baths are Tery efficient. The following example 

 wiU neither stain the wool nor materially endanger the 

 sheep. Tobacco 16 lbs., oil of tar 8 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 fifty gallons, retain- 

 ing a temperature of about 70° Fah. This wiU 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 aU parts of the skin. When taken out he 

 is laid on a sloping drainer and the hquid squeezed out of 

 tJ\e wool and allowed to flow back into the bath. A second 



Fig. 52. 



Fig. 52— Ox-Tick.— Verrill. 



and even a third bath may be necessary in inveterate 

 cases. For newly shorn sheep oily apphcations are better, 

 being less liable to be washed off by rains. One part of 

 oil of tar to 40 parts castor-oil or lard wiU usually suffice, 

 but sulphur may be added if desired. The common use 

 of mineral poisons, and especially the compounds of mer- 

 cury 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, aU harness, brushes, combs and wood-work, and 

 to subject blankets to prolonged boiling. In pastures, 

 dress every rubbing post, tree, stump, stone, or wooden 

 fence, or change the field. 



