Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1883-04-07
Scab in Sheep.

10 q great many diseases, Wnlcn are not
generally as well understood by owners
as they should be. Among these is the
terrible disease called "scab." We
have had occasion to give this matter
some thought, having had returned to
us a small flock of sheep we had in the
country afflicted with the disease. Hav-
ing a case in point, we have examined
some Of the authorities as to the char
acter of the disease and the various
modes of treatment.
Scab of sheep is similar to scabies, or
itch, of man, and is caused by an in
sect similar to that which produces
mango in dogs, cats, horses and other
animals. These different insects, or
acari, are very annoying and destruct-
i've in animals and especially sheep, as
their long coats of wool make it very
difficult to reach and destroy effectually
these parasites. 1t is said that scabies
in sheep do not bore into the sheep,
but by irritation forms a scab which
continues to spread and enlarge until
sometimes the whole body of the I'M
fortunate sheep is affected. Expert
ments have demonstrated that an in
crease Of temperature will hasten the
development of ova. According to
Prof. Brown, of England, IA days
only are required to hatch these in a
bottle carried in the trowsers pocket,
while two months time was required
with some kept under glass in ROOM"
The young have six legs; the fully
grown, after several changes of skin,
have eight. The microscope reveals
sucking-caps or disks in the legs, en-
abling the parasite to cling to the wool
and skin of the sheep, and renders
beautifully apparent these structures,
showing as the feet advance, how the
disks are expanded to grasp the surface
of the substance over which the acarus
is moving, apparently retaining their
hold in obedience to the volition of the
animal. Thus its structure adapts it
to crawling over and adhering to the
skin instead of burrowing beneath it.
SYMPTOMS.
According to Prof. Shafer, "the first
sign of the existence of scab is rubbing
against any projecting body within
reach as the disease extends, sheep
bite themselves, kick with their hind
feet at their sides and shoulders. X x
Examination will disclose spots on the
skin, white and hard, the centre marked
with yellow points Of exhudation,
which adhere to the wool, mating the
fibers together. x X No scabs may
be seen at this stage, but they soon ap,
pear. Raw places appear at points
which the animal can reach with his
teeth and hind feet. The disease is
complicated in summer by the presence
of the Larvae of the blow-fy, the mag
gots burrowing under the scab. The
animal becomes nervous, excited to
wildness, and cannot obtain properly
either food or rest, thus losing flesh and
becoming reduced to skeleton from
constant irritation and want Of nutri-
ton; only the strongest animals recov-
eIing if left without treatment.
TREATMENT.
The only way to destroy the disease
is to destroy the acari and their eggs.
Arsenic and mercury are sometimes
used and with good effect, but these
remedies are very poisonous and dan
gerous. Mercurial ointment mixed
with olive oil and turpentine was an
old English remedy and was considered
an effective cure. Tobacco juice is per.
haps the next best thing to carbOlic
acid. Mr.. Dow Elkins, of this county,
who has been to Texas, informs us that
they use a strong decoction of tobacco
as a dip or wash for sheep in Texas af
fected with scab, and that when prop
erly applied invariably destroys the
scabies or parasites. But Prof. Brown
and other eminent authorities recon-
mend carbolic acid solution as the mos
efectual remedy, and may be used
without danger to the sheep. 1t il
claimed that a strong decoction Of to
bacco will kill these parasites and theil
eggs in a few minutes. 1t is claimed
that carbolic acid in strong solution
will do the same. When carbolic aciC
of good strength is combined in the
proportion of one part of the acid tC