14 The Sheep- Scab. 



established.' As it progresses, about twelve days 

 after the sheep are attacked, they are seen rub- 

 bing themselves against trees, fences and other 

 hard objects, manifestly to gain relief from an 

 irritating itching sensation. An examination at 

 this time will show the following result: pim- 

 ples have formed and are filled with pus, which 

 by rubbing, become broken and in the course of 

 a few days, the acrid matter escaping from the 

 pustules dries and forms a scab; hence the name 

 of this disease so much dreaded by sheep breed- 

 ers. 



The parts chiefly affected are the neck, back, 

 and flanks; the belly and legs being compar- 

 atively free from these parasites during the early 

 stages of the disease. With the formation of the 

 scabs, the sheep obtains no deliverance from its 

 misery, but the itching continues with redoubled 

 force, and in the vain endeavor to find some 

 relief, the animal is noticed scratching itself with 

 its feet, biting at the parts affected, tearing off" 

 the wool both in this way and by rubbing, until 

 it becomes a most wo-begone creature, denuded 



