52o Eradication of Sheep Scab in Scotland, [dec, 



not one of their inspectors fortunately been able personally to 

 attend all dippings in the county till the local authority had 

 appointed their own inspectors. The methods of carrying out 

 the supervision varied very considerably. In twelve out of the 

 eighteen counties the police were employed under the orders of 

 the chief constables. The notices of proposed dippings were 

 sent to the local police officer, and he attended in as many 

 instances as was possible. In Argyllshire, in addition to the 

 police, some sixty emergency inspectors were provided, who 

 could be called upon for assistance when required. In Suther- 

 land, where a police officer's beat often covers an enormous 

 tract of country, the Duke of Sutherland's ground officers were 

 appointed to assist. In Aberdeenshire four retired police 

 officers were engaged as assistants. In Perthshire thirteen, and 

 in Elginshire seven special inspectors were appointed to assist 

 the police. In Orkney and Shetland, where there are few 

 police, a number of special officers were appointed. In Fife, 

 Kinross, and Dumbartonshire the veterinary inspectors of the 

 local authority were employed. In all cases where additional 

 .assistance was required it was paid for, though not in the same 

 way in every instance. In one county, for instance, the officer 

 was paid by the week, in another by the number of days em- 

 ployed. 



In addition to these officers the Board's inspectors in Scot- 

 land, consisting of four veterinary and seven lay inspectors, 

 gave almost the whole of their time to visiting and watching 

 the work in the dipping area. The veterinary inspectors were 

 specially detailed to watch the dippings in the Western High- 

 lands and islands, where sheep scab is difficult to eradicate owing 

 to the climate. These officers found evidence that very careful 

 attention had been paid to the sheep, and reported favourably 

 on their general condition. They discovered no case of sheep 

 scab, and, indeed, only two cases were reported during the 

 dipping period, thus confirming the experience of past years* 



The work of inspection and supervwon was carried out 

 energetically in all cases, and by the willing co-operation of the 



* The statistical returns of outbreaks of the disease"show that it is usually at its 

 lowest ebb in the quarter ending the 30th September. During this quarter the out- 

 breaks of scab in the scheduled counties have been as follows: — 1902, six; 1903, 

 four; 1904, two. 



