BUSH SICKNESS AMONG SHEEP.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2161, 9 April 1908, Page 3

BUSH SICKNESS AMONG SHEEP.

VETERINARY DEPARTMENT TO INVESTIGATE. Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, April 8. Interviewed by a “Truth” reporter this morning, the Hon. McNab made a brief reference to “bush sickness” among sheep and cattle, which is peculiar ito the country between Taiiranga and Tauno. Some time ago, he said, some preliminary investigations were carried out by Mr. Gilruth to determine the nature of the disease, as it was unknown to science. Just before leaving Wellington, lie completed arrangements giving authority t 0 the Veterinary Department to carry on tlio complete investigations. One of the ablest veterinary surgeons attached to the Department would be detailed by Mr. Gilruth for work, and a piece of land in the affected area on the Sclwyn Estate was available for experimental work. Tho “bush sickness” affected sheep after they bad been three months on tho ground, when they begin to give way, and to indicate sickness. They gradually get weaker and pine away, and ultimately die. Strange to* say, post mortems reveal no cause of the wasting process. The treatment of the disease was comparatively easy, being merely a change from one place to another outside of the affected area. Tho Department hoped to be able to ascertain the cause of the ailment when they got control of the disease.