SHEEP “SCAB.”

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10392, 9 May 1927, Page 4 (Supplement)

SHEEP “SCAB.”

WHEiX POVERTY BAY SUFFERED HOW DISEASE WAS CHECKED. MR. R. PRICE’S RECOLLECTIONS. Some interesting facts relating to tho outbreak of ‘‘scab” among Poverty Bay sheep in the early 70’s aro related by MY. Robert Price, of Manga pap a, who formerly had land out at HOW “SCAB’’ WAS INTRODUCED. Mr.' Price considers that the trouble arose when a flock of 1 ICO was brought overland from Napier to Gisborne to stock a run at Patutahi. On the' wav up these sheep became scattered and the majority of them spent a considerable time in the hush. In fact, two months elapsed before they were all rounded up and, when this was done, though the drovers did not know it, the animals had become /“scabby.” The mob was brought to Patutahi, scattered over the run and “scab” had been introduced into the Bay. COMBATIVE MEASURES TAKEN. When its presence became known, Mr. Lewis, of Auckland, chief stock inspector, came down to Poverty Bay

ihnleki He ® ® ® g * and co-operated with the two local inspectors, Messrs. John McKenzie and Sherratc, in dealing with the disease. At the time Mr. Pi-ice had disposed of his Patutahi propelty, but he assisted friends with dipping to remove the “scab.” A great deal of this was done in a dip at Me. Wi.lium '.King’s Patutahi property. After all the sheep on that property had been dipped, other flocks wore brought. One mob of 9000 from Mr. Henry Harris’ place was put through the dip three times in twenty-seven dais by Mr. Price and Ids ass.sttants. METHOD OF TREATMENT. Nine days were necessary between dippings and three of these .were necessary before the inspectors would O.K. any of the-stock. M lien a sheep was dipped, a letter “S” in red was stamped on its rump, or, as it was termed, the beast wt*.» “popped.” After the second dipping, the sheep was again “popped” and s.nurarly alter the third. W hen an animal had three ’.•pops” on its ,-mi.p, the inspector would give a clean discharge or certificate. TOBACCO WAS USED.

For the actual mixture in the dip, tobacco, sulphur, wasli ng-socla and a little lime were combined and mixed with water. Very hi tie lime lmd to be used cr the wool would he burned and pc s.s dry the sheep killed. Ihe water used was nearly at boiling, point and when a bog mob was being put through the men were divided into two shifts, the night gang’s duty being to keep the water boiling ready for a start at the first glimmer of daylight.. POOR EWEG-AXD LAMBS. Great trouble was experienced with the-ewes and lambs. Special care had to be exercised with the lambs, tor any excess of heat in the clip was fatal. As a matter of iact, w.tli ail possible care, many lambs died in the dip and others were so badly burned that they had to be killed. Ewes in lamb suffered severely and, if in an advanced stage,, the clipping generally caused their death,

RAMS HAD A HOT TIME! When rams came forward they received special treatment. Carbolic wins plastered on with a brush (very often merely scrub tied together) right down the animal’s hack from the top of the head to the tip of the tail. Then, as a. finishing touch, they were sent through the dip which had been made specially hot to receive them. After that they were ‘popped,’ if still alive! “SHEEP PRACTICALLY PA.RL OILED.” “We practically had to parboil the animals,” said Mr. Price in conclusion, “and-while it may seem cruel) it was really the only safe method and no risks could he taken with such a dangerous scourge in the district. The measures were certainly effective and in a very short time ‘scab’ had entirely disappeared.”