Improvements in Bath Boxes or Vats for the Cure of Foot Rot in Sheep, and in Compounds or Mixtures for Treating the Feet of Sheep Suffering from Foot Rot.
Year: 1892

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bath Boxes or Vats for the Cure of Foot Rot in
Sheep, and in Compounds or Mixtures for Treating the Feet of
Sheep Suffering from Foot Rot.
A communication by GEORGE G. GAYMAN and SAMUEL B. GAYMAN, of
Clarksville, in the State of Pennsylvania, United States of America,
Manufacturers.
1, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool and 6, Bank Street,
Manchester both in the County of Lancaster & 323 High Holborn in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates (inter alia) to bath boxes and vats for the cure of foot
rot in sheep, and has for its object the provision of a convenient and simple device
in which the sheep may be placed and its feet subjected to treatment in a suitable
fluid heated to a proper degree, and the supply of fresh air for breathing and
keeping the body of the sheep at an equal temperature, which is not interrupted
nor interfered with during the process.
In carrying the invention into practice a box of proper size is provided having
a vat of metal or other indestructible material for containing a foot rot cure having
a suitable metallic bottom and being closed at suitable height on the sides and
ends, and of sufficient size to permit the feet of the sheep to be supported without
cramping or torturing the animal. The vat does not cover the entire bottom of
the box, and a partial height partition separates the vat from the remainder of the
box, which is in front of the vat and is open at bottom to permit free circulation
of air for the head of the sheep. Across this open space two or more bars may
be placed to prevent lambs and small sheep from escaping. The metallic bottom
in the vat is preferably made pan-shape with its sides lying in line with the sides
of the box and having flanges at the upper edge which take into the sides of the
box. This construction elevates the joint between the metallic bottom and wooden
walls to a sufficient height to take it away from the direct action of the heat of
the lamp, while at the same time it does not give a heat conducting surface on the
sides of the sheep as would be the case if the whole vat were made of metal.
In the vat a non-conducting platform is placed on which the sheep stand. This
platform is provided, with a central knife-edge cleat across the centre which
prevents the sheep from standing on it and thus avoiding the bath, while the
cleat stiffens the platform and prevents warping. The platform is perforated to
permit free circulation of the Huid. The side walls of the vat at the rear are
provided with depressions which permit the hands of the operator to be inserted
for taking hold of the hind legs of the sheep, and also permit the said hind legs of
the sheep to be drawn out without elevating them so high, and thus slopping out
the wash as would be the case on level sides. One side wall of the vat is provided
with a spirit level for equalizing the level of the wash in the vat, over which a
guard is hinged.
Over the box a rack is hinged to turn down upon it lengthwise and confines the
sheep in place while undergoing treatment. This rack is swung at one end of the
box, preferably the end where the head of the sheep is placed and turns down over
the length of the sheep. The two lower bars of the rack may be extended past
the corner posts of the hinged ends to afford stops for holding the rack in an
upright position.

page_text: The ends of the box are provided with sliding supports or legs, which can be
lowered to raise the box to any desired height from the ground, or may be raised
so as not to project beyond the lines of the box. One or both sides of the box
may be provided with hinged doors or door, which can be turned down to protect
the stove from drafts and confine the heat under the box. The end supports are
preferably made solid for this same purpose.
An oil stove or other suitable heating apparatus is placed beneath the metallic
bottom of the vát to bring the fluid to a proper temperature.
The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention.
...Figure 1 is a plan view.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal 'section:
Figure 3 is a transverse section taken through the vat.
Figure 4 is an end elevation with rack removed.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures where
they occur.
A is the box having the side walls a, a, which have depressions a* near their
rear ends to permit easy insertion of the hand and removal of the sheep's feet, as
already described. A, A¹ are the end walls of the box, and, A' is the partial
height partition which divides the vat portion B from the open portion A3 of the
box. B. is the metallic or other fire proof pan-shaped bottom of the vat whose
sides coincide with the inside of the box walls into which the top flange b of the
pan is inserted.
In the pan a wooden or other non-conducting platform C is
placed which is provided with a central transverse knife-edge cleat C¹ which
prevents the sheep from standing on the cleat, while the cleat prevents warping.
This platform is preferably perforated to permit free circulation of the fluid.
Over the opening in the box in front of the vat, two or more bars, d, d, may be set
transversely.across the box to prevent small sheep or lambs from getting out.
'
The ends of the box are provided with sliding supports or legs E, E, which are
held in guides or ways e, e, on the sides and prevented from being pushed too far
upward by stops e on said guides or ways. A pivoted lever or button E¹ is
secured to each leg which takes into recesses on the sides of the guides to hold the
lėgs in an elevated or lowered position. The legs or supports are preferably flat
boards or pieces imperforate in structure, which enables them to serve as wind
guards to protect the stove and confine the heat under the vat. One or both sides
of the box may be provided with hinged doors F which can be turned down to
further protect the stove and confine the heat beneath the pan. G is the stove or
other heating means of any suitable form.
The guides or ways at one end of the box are extended up past the side walls
and form studs or hinged butts to which one end of a rack H is pivoted. The
rack H is made of open slats or bars and is of the same length and width as the
box and of sufficient height to fit over the back of a sheep comfortably. The lower
longitudinal bars h, h, of the rack extend beyond the corner posts at the pivoted
end, as shown at h', h', and form stops to hold the rack in elevated position, as
shown in dotted lines Figure 1.
On the top of one of the side walls of the box a spirit level I is placed to enable
the exact adjustment of the box to make the fluid stand the same height all over
the vat. Over the spirit level a guard or cover I¹ is hinged or pivoted to allow
ready access to, and protection of, the spirit level.
In connection with the use of this box a compound or mixture for washing the
feet of the sheep when they are suffering from the foot rot is used, which
composition consists in the following ingredients combined in about the propor-
tions specified, ciz.:-Water three quarts; vinegar one quart; sulphate of copper.
one and one-half pounds (or the same amount of sulphate of zinc); common salt
one and one-half pounds; spirits of turpentine two ounces; sugar cf lead one ounce :
and inner bark of white oak two pounds (or the same amount of any equivalent
being of the same strength of tannic acid, or its equivalent in strength of tannic
acid). These ingredients are mingled together, the soluble solids dissolved, and
t

page_text: the strength of the white oak bark extracted by immersion in the liquid of the
composition.
If it is desired the white oak bark may be immersed in the water or vinegar, or
both, for a sufficient length of time to extract all its strength and its sap and juices
before adding the remaining ingredients. The proportions above given may be
varied to suit different cases, if desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A combined box and vat for the purpose described consisting of the box
walls a, a, A, A' a fire-proof pan B covering a portion of the bottom of said box
and forming the vat, a partial height partition A at the front of the vat and an
open space between the said partition and one end wall of the box, as set forth.
2. A device for cleaning sheep's feet consisting of the box walls as described
having adjustable supports at the ends thereof, a partial height partition and a pan
bottom covering the space between one end wall and the partial height partition, an
open space between the partial height partition and the other end wall, and bars
across said open space, as set forth.
3. A sheep box consisting of the side walls a, a, the end walls A', A', a partial
height partition A² and the fire proof pan B having a flange ball around the top
thereof inserted in a groove or channel in one end wall, the side walls and the
partial height partition, as set forth.
4. A sheep box consisting of the walls a, a, A', A', a partial height partition A²,
a fire-proof pan B forming a bottom for the box between one end wall and partial
height partition, and the open rack hinged to the top of the box at one end, as set
forth.
5. A box for treating sheep's feet consisting of the box walls having a fire-proof
pan and partial height partition forming a vat, adjustable supports at the ends of
said box, and a hinged door or doors on the side or sides of said box, as set forth.
6. A box for treating sheep's feet consisting of the side walls a, a, having
notches or cut away portions as described at one end thereof, the end walls A', A",
the partial height partition A3, and a fire-proof pan B, and a hinged rack on top of
the box, as set forth.
7. The herein described composition of matter for use in the treatment of foot
rot in sheep, consisting of water, vinegar, sulphate of copper, or sulphate of zine,
common salt, spirits of turpentine, sugar of lead, and inner bark of the white oak,
or its equivalent in strength of tannic acid, in about the proportions herein before
specified.
Dated this 27th day of June 1892.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.