SHEEP “SCAB.”

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 10473, 31 December 1927, Page 4 (Supplement)

SHEEP “SCAB.”

WHEN POVERTY BAY SUFFERED j HOW DISEASE WAS CHECKED, j AIR E. PRICE’S RECOLLEC- ! TIONS. i

Some interesting facts relating to the outbreak of "scab” anion" Poverty Bay sheep in the early 70’s are related by Air. Robert Price, of Alangapapa. who formerly had land out at Patutalii.

HOW “SC A IP’ WAS INTRODUCED. Air. Price considers that the trouble arose when a flock oi li CO was brought overland from Napier to Gisborne to stock a run at Patutalii. On the way up these sheep became scattered and the majority or them ■ spent a considerable time in the huso. ; In fact, two months elapsed beiore ■ they were all rounded up and, when - this was done, though the drovers did j not knew it, the animals had become 1 /“scabby.” The mob was brought to i Patutalii, scattered over the run and j "scab” had been introduced into the j Bay. I

COMBATIVE MEASURES TAKEN.

When its presence became known, Air. Lewis, of Auckland, chief stock inspector, came down to Poverty Ba\

and co-operated with the t"o local inspectors, Alcssrs. John McKenzie and Sherratc, in dealing with the disease. At the time Air. Price had disposed of his Patutalii propelty, but lie as- . sis ted i'riencts wit h dipping to remove the “scab.” A great deal of this was done in a dip at At. - . \\ i.lium King’s Patutalii property. After all the sheep ; on that property had been dipped, other flocks were brought. One mob of 0000 trail Air. Henry Harris place was put through the clip three times in twenty-seven tints by Air. luce and ins ass.sitaiiLs.

AIETHOD OF TREATMENT

Nine days were necessary between dippings and three of these .were necessary beiore the inspectors would O.K. anv of tile stock. When a sheep was dipped, a letter “S” in red was stamped on its rump, or, as it was termed, the beast was “popped.” After the second dipping, the sheen was again “popped” and sinurarlv Vtor the third. When an animal had three "pops” oil its eu.i.g, the inspector would give a clean discharge or certificate. TOBACCO WAS USED. For the actual mixture in the d.p. tobacco, sulphur, wash ng-soda and a Lttie lime \u-re (omhiueti and mixed with water. Very little lime had to bo u.sod cr the wool would ho burned and pcssiUy the sheep killed. The water used was nearly at hailing point and when a big mob was being put through the men were divided into two shifts, the night gang s duty bciii" to keep the water boiling ready for a srai t at the first glimmer of daylight..

POOR. EWES AND LAMBS

Great trouble was experienced with the-ewes and lambs. Special care bad to be exercised with the lambs, for any excess of heat in the dip was fatal'.' As a matter of fact, w ill all possible care, many lambs died in the dip and others wore so hr illy burned that they had to he killed. Ewes in lamb .suffered severely and, ii in ail advanced stage, the dipping generally caused their death,

RAAIS HAD A HOT TIME!

When rams came forward they received special treatment. Carbolic Was plastered on with a brush (very often merely scrub tied together) right down'the animal’s back 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 PARBOILED.”

“We practically had to parboil the animals,” said Air. Price in conclusion, “and-while it may seem cruel, it was l-eallv 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.”