A TREATMENT FOR RINGWORM.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 429, 10 January 1912, Page 3

A TREATMENT FOR RINGWORM.

Ringworm is a most troubleome complaint, and seriously affects the well-being of young stock. Any live things may have it, but it is most frequently seen in cattle. The poorer tbey are the greater its virulence and the rapidity with which it spreads. There is a belief among farmers that it is a sign of health, and that there are rarely any losses amongst those so affected. This possibly arises from the fact that very thriving yearlings are more subject to evil-quarter or murrain and poor ones to ringworm. The disease is attributed to a fungus —Trichophyton tonsurans—but it is by no means certain that there is only one variety. In poultry there is a similar disease in the attacks of Achorion schonlainii, or Favus, which breaks out in semi-circular rings on the como, and if neglected spreads down to the wattles, covers the whole face, and finally creeps down the neck, covering the body until it causes death. These diseases are easily communicable to man. After dressing, the hands and arms should be immediately washed in water with a table spoonful of coal tar disinfectant to tjie gallon. The same solution w/ill do to dress standing posts, or anything

The best dressing for this complaint is oleata of mercury one part, lard two parts This melted together and stirrpd occasionally in cooling will usually curs all the parts touched at one dressing. Three ounces of the mixture is sufficient for about 14 beasts, so that the expense, is not prohibitive. A great deal depends upon the. method of application. A pair of bull pincers is required, as the fingers yet so cramped in holding a small beast by the nostrils. A very wild one may be haltered and drawn up to a ring. An old machine file should then be used to well scarify the surface of the ringworm and break up the papules. Just the edge of the files should be used, and not the flat surface. The ointment can then be applied by the flat end of the file and well rubbed in.