FACIAL ECZEMA

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 27, 2 February 1937, Page 4

FACIAL ECZEMA

Slight Outbreak in Sheep on East Coast HEADS SWOLLEN With reference to a slight outbreak of facial eczema in sheep in the East Coast, Mr. P. Haugh, the Gisborns veterinary supervisor, mentioned that although the heads were swollen, the sheep did not seek tho shade, as was usually the case with this complaint. Most or those affected at present were white-skinned susceptible sheep, with the liver slightly upset. Mr. W. L. Hindmarsh, director of the veterinary research station at Hcnfield, New South Wales, interviewed during a visit to Gisborne, sa id that in New South Wales the disease was known as “the yellow big head,” and was associated with panic grass, which came up on land otherwise bare. Burr trefoil also caused photo sensitivity. According to Dr. Hopkirk, officer in chargo of the veterinary laboratory at Wallaceville, the disease owes its origin entirely to a breakdown of chlorophyll the green colouring matter u* grass’. With the bright sunshine, lie thought tho cases on the coast would be checked. Ho did not expect a recurrence of an outbreak as serious as that of two years ago, when there was i heavy rain with a lack of sunshine.