Investigations into Sheep Diseases.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 29, 2 August 1895, Page 2

Investigations into Sheep Diseases.

IMPORTANT TO FARMERS. The excessive mortality amongst flocks on this coast lias long been a deep mystery, and the visit to this district of a specialist from a firm who have attained world-wide celebrity for their treatment of sheep diseases is fraught with the deepest interest to farmers, who have been placed in the irritating position of seeing their sheep literally die by hundreds under their eyes while they have been powerless, iv the absence of competent and practical advice, to prevent this heavy mortality. Mr Bockiug, who imparted such valuable information to farmers at Messrs Abraham and Williams' Palmerston saleyards yesterday, is the representative of the firm of Messrs Pottie and Sons, Sydnej', who can boast of the proud distinction of leading the world in the diagnoses and treatment of diseases in sheep. ' Yesterday Mr Booking created a mild sensation amongst the representative gathering of farmers by his allocation of diseases in sheep which were operated on in the presence of those assembled. Mr Bockiug gave practical and unrefutable evidence of the existence of parasitic troubles, clearly tracing the cause aud effect. While one sheep was bein? prepared for examination, lie described lung germ disease and how it effected the vital organs and constitution. After speaking on several other items of inte- ' rest, Mr Booking proceeded with his autopsy, and explained the nature of the troubles affecting the sheep under examination. He contended the primary cause in first subject was strongulus ovis pulmonalis, or worm in the substance of the lung, with sympathetic weakness of heart, liver aud intestinal organs. He also showed several cysta of Taenia Marginata of the liver, and also bladder-like cysts of another form of tapeworm. The second animal operated on had also pulmonal germs and and several large hydaticl cysts on the lungs. The liver was effected very badly, and showed hypertrophy, oi' enlargement, and congestion, and chronic inflammation. In both cases he clearly demonstrated the troubles the Taenia or tape family caused, and said that the danger of having them in this condition of ill health was their susceptibility to the inraids of any fresh parasitic trouble that may be introduced into the country. A wether with a urinary disorder was looked at, but not operated on. He then cited what was in his opinion the probable cause, and remarked that in Australia one form of this trouble was to be meh with as a consequence of constitutional debility. It may be noted that Mr Booking wished it to be distinctly understood thut these germs in sheep do not as a rule embed themselves iv the flesh but in the membranes; thus there is no danger to be feared from eating mutton. — Standard. Mr Booking will attend Mr Carr's sales, at Birmingham ou Tuesday, aud at Feilding jdii j£ r J££y'__ D- .