The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-09
SCAB At THE STOCK YARDS.
Cooperation of All Authorities Abso-
Iutely Necessary.

To the Editor of the indianapolis Journal:
The Union Stock Yards authorities are
generally looked upon as enterprising, pro-
gressive men. alert to the interests of their
patrons and to the general advancement of
animal husbandry in Indiana. In general
this is true, but in one particular feature
they are far behind the times and that
greatly to their own disadvantage and to
the great annoyance, inconvenience and
loss, TO an important class of livestock
handlers and breeders, namely sheepmen.
The particular feature alluded to as need
ing consideration and attention is the SAN
itary conditions necessary for protection
and disinfection against sheep diseases and
parasites. These are a constant menace
to sheep husbandry in the State, and the
greatest possible barrier to the commission
firms in their laudable and earnest efforts
to establish a good sheep market at In
dianapolis Last week there appeared on
Wednesdays market 225 sheep with ''scab-
bies'' from the Louisville yards. The
owner Mr.. c. c.. Hoskins, was doubtless an
innocent purchaser, but his shipment was
nevertheless condemned as scabby sheep.
The writer and others having had expe-
rience with scab in sheep, or t'scabbies
who would have bought the sheep, would
not be dipped. There being no opportunity
to treat or disinfect, the owners hands were
tied as the federal authorities here of the
Bureau of Animal Industry, Dr. Thomas j.
Turner, chief, had called the attention of
the stock yards and other authorities to the
disease and the United States law relative
to transporting. moving, driving or receiv-
ing for transportation, sheep affected with
'the Conta piOus disease known as Sheen
scab, or scabbies of sheep" The writer had
a talk with MI. Graybill, of the stock yards
company, who indicated that he would i'm
provise some means of dipping this bunch
of sheep, and it is understood that he later
did so, that the sheep might be sold.
But makeshifts will not henceforth give
satisfaction. Chicago, st. Louis, Louisville
and all large and important sheep markets
have or should be supplied with the most
approved dipping arrangements All sheep
leaving Chicago are dipped, and such must
be the home arrangements if the people
desire to build up a sheep market such as
Indiana could support and secure the pat
ronage of the feeders.
The firm of s. r. Quick e. Son. breeders
and feeders, at Brooklyn, twenty miles from
the yards, to which the writer belongs
handled 1856 sheep last year, and like
many other Indiana feeders, got enough of
Indiana stock yards sheep in the first
bunch of ninety-two sheep bought last
spring. Several cars of our fat sheep were
sold to parties here and went through these
yards. but not many more are likely to
come through them into the possession Of
adequate precautions are prepared and
used. If the stock yards will not Vountar-
lily take this matter up promptly the State
should compel attention 10 it. Attention
will doubtless be called TO the fact that
these sheep in question came through the
Louisville yards and had Sassed inspection