RINGWORM IN BOVINE STOCK.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2777, 23 May 1916, Page 9

RINGWORM IN BOVINE STOCK.

: ,JCiis disease, Svliich.is. of common occurrence in cattle,, is due ..to. the presence _01-a p minute vegetable parasite or fungus, ijiiugworm is exceedingly contagious, com- : muiucable. from : man to' the lower animals, and vice,.versa; ■ -Cold, wet seasons; badly-drained, dirty, and' Uncomfortable .stalls; insufficient, inJiutritious and. mouldy provender; inattention to cleanliness of the skin, are each conducivo to«tho presenco of ringjvorm. . . O. , Tho most pfbiiiitfent'.'iiidication of. Ting-, i. worrii in- oattla'isvthe-characteristic circular patchy with " silver scaly crusts, whilst the presenco of . the fungus and its .discovery removes any doubt that may exist. The crust is sooner or later separated by tlio secretion and .discharge of. a purulent fluid."' The'hair lias a dry, . harsh appearance, is exceedingly' brittle, and easily detaohed. As tho" malady''aa-•-vances tho hair breaks: of itself close to theorust, and when the latter is removed the hairs aro,.exhibited in short, bristle-like pieces, surrounded with i the spores of the -fungus.'- From tho' animal rubbing itself, the. characteristic shapo of the diseased patch is sometimes obliterated."' The period .of. incubation is from eight 'to fourteen days. . _ ; Mild mercurial and, iodine ointments are..generally, effectual:in the treatment, .of -.ringworm:., The' nitrate of, mercury ointment, is an excellent agent. Ink is bu old-fashioned remedy, and. still' in •vogue.-also..infusion of;gall. .. J?or: : .general. purposes, the is a- .-very useful application:—"Whale oil, ■lioi'.; terebinth, 40z.; oil of tar,' loz.; flnd'.'acetic acid, loz. ( / : .To,be applied to tho affected parts afite® ifirst '.'-thoroughly washing the skin witii soft soap and warm water, and re-. Seated; with an interval of two days, until -the-'disease is cured. But'by far the most ineffectual dressing for : ringworm- is tho • nitrate of mcrcury ointment, 1-4.- Paint■ing .the patches with compound tincture of .-iodine is sometimes successful. Atteii-j -tioh-.to hygiene must bo observed; and in - 'the-case of debility tonics may be given • with- advantage. --Honeycomb ringworm is another form met with in cattle, 'apd is, •usually.- contracted from ether - animals, ;-'but -especially mice.' . The parasite is '6ituate<l in tho hair-follicle, above the 'layer'of epithelium.which covers the root : of--the' hairi- It . has a peculiar, mousy' odour. Like the ordinary form: of ringworm;: its . presence is favoured or encouraged by neglect, filth, and peculiar or conditions of the animal's skin. ;■? 1 The ■ disease , is > characterised ,by ; conglomerated, .-irregular; ■ yellowish, cup-like ' crusts,, which eh masso sopiewhat resemble irl-honeycomb; hence "honeycomb" - ringworm." More, or. less itching ■ attends both''" forms of the disease.

"The treatment ;lieTe is tho same , as 'adopted -in the previous form.—"Live Stock Journal." ■ • : -' ■-

A-number of ,tM dairy factories in the . Wairarapa and Forty-Cilile . Bush will ' shortly be closing down for ihe season. . '-vA-T-considerable area of Cape barley is' being, grown in .the Jfasterton district as-winter feed for stock.; ; C „ l{bw''is a good, time to have that milkzing, .jjiaehine overhauled; remembor, care- .': fuljattention (doubles the life 'of 'any : machine. ' Consult A. J. 'Parton, who is /!. .an..expert on all Dairy Machinery mat-,-.tei'6.,TOCheaply and thoroughly your ma- . . 'chine will be renovated in readiness for, >next season's 'work. Call or 'phone. A. .. J. Parton, Sheet lletal and Plumbing v. Worlvs,. Pembroke Street, CAKTEKTON. —Advt, , ' 15ever has the demand for clear-headed .. constructive thinking in business been .. so urgent as it is right now. We are liv- ' , ing in a progressive age, and must take ~ advantage of all! up-to-date methods. It -is in savings froin waste .of any description.that- money is made to-day, and by ..-concentrating one's efforts on all details - of our business we claim to! be able to - produce results for our many cream sup-' . pbors. We want more cream. Can you - Apply us? Further particulars, Wangaf nni Fresh .Food Co.—Advt. .