FACIAL ECZEMA IN SHEEP.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 863, 8 July 1910, Page 8

FACIAL ECZEMA IN SHEEP.

VETERINARIAN'S VIEWS. ' Facial eczema in sheep is just now troubling flock owners in various parts of tho Dominion. Mr. G. Lyons, M.R.C.Y.S., delivered an address to members of the Auckland A. and P. Association on the subject, in. the course of which, says our Auckland correspondent, he explained that the affliction became prevalent in seasons of plentiful feed, such as that just.cxi>erienced. "-My experience," he said, "is that the more luxuriant the feed the more virulent tho disease." The only effective remedy was to remove the aliected animals to poorer pastures, where they would have to exert themselves to a greater extent in securing their nourishment.

In the Lower Waikato some of the Hocks had been affecctd to tlic extent of 50 per ceiit. When he visited the district the sheep were rubbing their backs, their ears wore affected, and in some cases tiie wool liad come oil their chest's. Others had been so greatly irritated that. they had rubbed their eyes out. Not only were sheep concerned with the disease, but cattle also. The symptoms in cows were slightly different in that the temperature rose exceedingly high, and tho eczema broke out where the skill was thin —for example, around tho eyes, the udder, the nose, and the tail. Small blisters first appeared, and when they' became contaminated by* l dirt and blood great scabs formed, with a leathery appearance. In one herd which Tie had in mind the disease disappeared about a fortnight after treatment was commenced.. In a herd of 22 cows 21 had been affected.

Some of the flocks up north (North of Auckland) had suffered severely from the disease. Speaking generally, Mr. Lyons said that his experience showed that facial eczema was not a contagions disease; in fact, experiments had proved that it was not communicable by contact or inoculation, Very often the eczema occurred among sheep which were running on cocksfoot grass. Cocksfoot was charged with more moisture than nourishment, end caused the digestive organs to get out of order. The disease was not fatal unless the sheep were excessively fat or had lung trouble.

In answer to questions, Mr. Lyons said that an ounce of Epsom salts in a cup of raw linseed oil, and with a little ginger, was the best treatment for tho disease. An external application of Lysol of a strength of about one in twenty was tho test method'of allaying the irritation.