The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, MAY 19, 1888. "BLADDER FLUKE" IN RABBITS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1845, 19 May 1888, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, MAY 19, 1888. "BLADDER FLUKE" IN RABBITS.

The extermination of rabbits by means of microbes and contagious diseases is a matter closely occupying the attention of savants m Australia and m New Zealand. Though the microbe experiments being carried on m Australia, by M. Pasteur's skilled assistants are the theme of conversation among those interested m the extinction of the rabbit, there has come to view m this colony a fact which seems to be likely to make Pasteur's method, if it is ever bo successful, unnecessary of introduction among the rabbits of these islands. A disease known as " bladder fluke " has been discovered among rabbits m the Wairarapa district, and should the disease Bpread rapidly among the rabbits there is every likelihood that it will cause their extinction m" a few years. Sir James Hector, at Wellington, recently conducted the dissection of a rabbit affected with "bladder fluke," and as the result of the dissection were Sir James was convinced that tbe disease would eventually be communir cated to the whole rabbit family, but the process would bo rathgr^glnw for those who desired to see the rabbit at oiico obliterated from the face of the colonial earth. The fluke bladder was jfoundj upon dissection and examination, to grow until it displaced the internal organs, pushing them outside as the bladder enlarged. Tho outward sign of the disease takes the shape of a hump on the back of the rabbit resembling m size and shape half an orange. Inside the bladder on the cuticle were found thousands of whitybrown globules of about the size of seed pearls. These globules are really poasescd of life as was seen under the microscope and they form the germs of the fluke. When once the disease has taken hold of the rabbit it becomes emaciated and eventually dies. Sir James Hector will, take with him to Australia one of the rabbits infected with the bladder fluke so that the opinion of scientists there may be taken on the subject. A member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons — Mr J. F. McClean, who was assisting at the dissection of the diseased rabbit has furnished the Wellington " Post " with some observations on the outcome of the examination. He seems to think that experiments should be further conducted to ascertain whether the disease is likely to be communicable to sheep, and if bo how would tho spread of it be prevented. If the disease were to prove of such a nature as to cause an injury to our flocks it would be well if some means were taken to find an antidote. Mr McClean makes tho following remarks respecting the disease; — "I am of opinion that the disease is a form of hydatid, produced by the introduction into the system of the rabbit of the embryos or eggs of a tape-worm infesting the dog, and perhaps other carnivorous animals, e.g., cat, ferret, fox, etc. I am also of opinion that this is the same hydatid which produces the disease m sheep, known as sturdy or gid. In the latter case it is scientifically known as coenwus cerehralis, the hydatid being commonly found between the membranes of the brain. Will the development of this disease m the rabbit be likely to be indirectly communicated to the sheep ? There is no doubt sheep have been found suffering from sturdy or gid m districts where bladder -fluke has been observed, and since this fact has apparently not been noticed, I would suggest that a series of experiments be carried out with a view of ascertaining tho risk that v> ould bo incurred m introducing tho disease amongst rabbits on a large scale m a sheep country." Mr McClean's conclusions may not bo wholly correct, but j they are of some value m drawing attention to the possibility of tho contagions spreading, m which case we| think the proposed experiments should at once be proceeded with. - ?