THE RURAL WORLD.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 465, 15 May 1912, Page 3

THE RURAL WORLD.

(By Viesse.)

facial eczema in sheep.

This affection, which may more appropriate be termed facial dermatitis (that is, inflammation of the skin of the head), has more than once caused considerable trouble and loss to sheep owners in the Nortth island. At times, alarm has been caused owing to the fear that it is of a contagious nature, but all the investigation work carried out by the veterinary officers of the Department of Agrcinlture, proves that this is not the cose. It is noticeable that when it has made its appearance to any extent, it has always arisen in late autumn and early winter, in seasons when tnere has been an abundant growth of more or less luxuriant autumn feed. A diet of this kind is not the best for sheep, and it is liable to set up digestive troubles, not in themselves sufficient to cause any very noticeable condition of sickness in the animai, but yet capable of upsetting the proper balance of the system. As a result of the imperfect digestion of the food, the blond gets out of order, and this causes an inflamed condition of the skin, that covering the face and e.ar3, perhaps because it is least protected being affected.

A somewhat similar condition though arising from a different cause, viz., an excess of stimulating food, is often seen in lambs when fattening on rape, when the skin of the ears and sometimes of the face also, becomes inflamed and swollen, or the skin of the back is affected, producing the condition known as "rapescald. "

In facial eczema of sheep, however, the trouble does not often cease with the inflammatory condition of the skin, but a secondary, and worse condition occurs. The inflamed skin is in a state of great irritation, no doubt itching severely, and in its efforts to relieve this, the sheep rubs its head against any object which is available, such as a stump, log, fence, post, or, failing this, en the ground itself. This produces wounds or abrasions of the skin, which afford an easy means of entrance for outside germs. One particular member of this germ fraternity is a pestilent microbe, whose particular action is to destroy living tissues. This organism is a common one, and can be found in the dung of healthy sheep, hence it is exceptionally likely to be well distributed in well stocked pastures. Once it gets entrance into the tissues of the skin it acts probably in conjunction wtih other casual germs, and causes serious trouble, the later and most typical state of the disease being produced. Then the unfortunate animal presents 'a most distressing ap pearance. The face and ears are bare of hair, the skin is covered with dry, brown coloured, scab, which when peeled off shows a deeper surface more or less covered with thick matter. Often the trouble extends to the eyes, which become inflamed and sightless, their condition being made worse by the fact that the sheep in its efforts to allay the irritation attempts to search at its face with one or the other hind foot, the eye being liable to direct injury in consequence. Death often results, this being caused by the absorption into the system of a poisonous material produced by the germs which have taken possession of the skin of the face, If sheep recover they take a long time to regain their normal health and condition. The great point in treatment is toget to work promptly as soon as the first indication of the presence of the disease is noticed. The affected Hock should be taken to the yards, or temporary yards be pruvided in the paddock, and drafted one by one through a race. Every sheep showing the slightest indication of trouble should have the skin of its face and ears well bathed with a strong solution, of lysol, Jeye's or Lawe's fluid, or, if nothing else be available, non-poison-This solution should be of a strength of one part in twenty parts of water. This treatment should be repeated twice at intervals of three days. The entire flock should also be immediately transferred to another paddock, preferably one with short clean feed. In moving the sheep they should b« taken as quietly as possible, and not bustled in any way. Even when the. later and worse condition Is developed bathing the affected part with one of the solutions described above is of considerable benefit, as the liquid net only destroys any germs with which it comes in contact, but also allays the irritation of the skin.

As already stated investigation has failed to prove that the disease is contagious. Healthy sheep have been kept closely confined with badly affected sheep and have remained healthy and the only way in which the disease has been experimentally conveyed from one to another is by direct" inoculation. Hence we must look to feeding condition as being the primary cause and take preventive measures accordingly. If possible, the sheep should not be allowed to depasture on paddocks in which there is a heavy growth of rank autumn grass, or if no better feed be available, they should be frequently changed from one paddock to another. When being travelled they should not be unduly hurried or bustled, as this is liable to disturb the proper continuance of the digestive functions, and set up sufficient internal disturbance to bring about a beginning of the trouble.—Farmers' Union Advocate.