1905.] 



Sheep Scab. 



all animals which are believed to have been exposed to the risk 

 of infection shall be detained and dealt with. Experience has 

 shown that on such action success largely depends. Moreover, 

 seeing that in connection with Sheep Scab the owner of the 

 sheep can by the process of effectual dipping readily rid himself 

 of any inconvenience caused by such restrictions, no undue 

 hardship is caused by the free resort to this method of dealing 

 with in-contact animals. 



8. As regards disinfection, to the efficient carrying out of 

 which there is reason to fear that in many cases due attention has 

 not been given in the past, Article 8(1) of the Order has been 

 framed so as to secure that in every case such processes of dis- 

 infection as are practicable shall be carried out. Even in the 

 case of open moorland some security can be obtained by the 

 disinfection of the folds and rubbing places to which sheep 

 resort, and the collection and destruction of the tufts of wool 

 both from such places and from the hedges and fences to which 

 diseased sheep have had access must have the effect of remov- 

 ing infective matter. It also seems desirable that such prelim- 

 inary steps to secure disinfection as are possible should be 

 undertaken at once and repeated during the continuance of the 

 outbreak, in order to minimise the risk of the spread of disease 

 to other animals in the flock by mediate contagion from wool 

 or other infective material, leaving the final and more thorough 

 process to be completed when the disease has been eradicated 

 on the particular premises. Article 3 (3) of the Order provides 

 that when the existence of Sheep Scab on any premises ha s 

 been confirmed the restrictions on the movement of the sheep 

 on the premises shall continue in force until the Local Authority 

 are satisfied by a veterinary enquiry that all the sheep on the 

 premises have been cured, and have, since the enquiry, been 

 thoroughly dipped. Further, it is provided that the premises to 

 which the Notice (Form A.) applied shall not again be opened 

 for the reception of sheep until the final disinfection of the place 

 of detention shall have been completed. The Board desire, 

 therefore, that the attention of Officers of the Local Authority 

 should be specially drawn to the importance of taking every 

 care that the processes of disinfection shall be as prompt and 

 thorough as circumstances admit. 



