520 VETERINARY HYGIENE 



prospect of cure ; speaking broadly, it offers a certainty of 

 cure. 



The disease is not dependent on a microscopic organism 

 which defies high magnifying powers or laboratory filters ; 

 it can under favourable conditions be easily seen with the 

 naked eye, so that even the dullest intelligence can grasp 

 the cause. It can never arise spontaneously, but can only 

 occur as the result of contagion, and this elementary fact 

 requires more pressing home on the public mind than either 

 of the others, for it is the basis of intelligent co-operation. 



If flock-masters could be taught these three simple facts, 

 the first step towards eradication would be accomplished ; 

 we shall now consider them in somewhat greater detail. 



The curability of the disease is undoubted ; there are 

 many remedies, fortunately all inexpensive, which are 

 available. While some pin their faith on sulphur and 

 lime, as Australia did, others, like Cape Colony, select 

 something more active in the shape of arsenic ; while 

 tobacco, or preparations of carbolic acid also find favour. 

 It does not appear to matter what dip is employed so long 

 as its application is thorough. Professor Wallace, in the 

 paper previously alluded to, speaks highly of the value of 

 tobacco dips, especially for preventing further infection 

 from ' rubbing places,' and thinks this remedy will be 

 absolutely essential for eradicating the disease from 

 mountainous places. If tobacco is to be largely used, 

 some special excise regulations will have to be made in 

 order to obtain it at a reasonable rate. 



The sulphur and lime method is no doubt excellent, but 

 inasmuch as the two have to be boiled together, it may not 

 always be a convenient dip to employ. It is made by 

 boiling 25 lbs. sulphur in 20 gallons of water, with 18 lbs. 

 slacked lime for 20 minutes, and then diluting to 100 

 gallons. 



The insolubility of arsenic is overcome in certain pro- 

 prietary dips which have a large sale, and are of the 

 greatest value and convenience. Arsenic in the strength 

 of 2 lbs. to 100 gallons of water may be safely employed. 



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