Diseases 295 



The scab. — This is produced by a minute insect, 

 acarus, that burrows into the skin, causing great 

 irritation. The suflFering animal digs itself with its 

 hind feet or rubs against some object until the skin 

 is lacerated. The scab that develops at such spots 

 gives name to the ailment. The mite is so small as 

 not to be seen on the sheep, but may be seen as a 

 minute speck on white paper. The cause of the ail- 

 ment is now thoroughly understood and effective 

 remedies known. The ailment yields readily to 

 any one of the several dips : a decoction of tobacco 

 stems ; lime and sulphur, such as is now widely used 

 for spraying trees ; a solution of coal-tar products 

 widely advertised for the purpose; also a sulphur 

 and arsenic compound. 



Fortunately, scab is pretty well eradicated from 

 American flocks, especially in eastern states, though 

 not entirely so. Flocks contract it only through con- 

 tact with affected animals, or with objects against 

 which they have rubbed. Any appearance of the 

 ailment should be promptly treated. The writer 

 once purchased some feeding lambs from New Mex- 

 ico late in the fall. They were dipped under govern- 

 ment inspection, but the scab broke out during the 

 winter. I used crude petroleum freely on all affected 

 points, rubbing it in thoroughly with a stiff brush. 

 This held it in abeyance until the weather became 

 warm enough to warrant dipping. The entire flock 

 was disposed of in the spring. The following winter, 



