FACIAL ECZEMA AGAIN

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 110, 16 November 1938, Page 1

FACIAL ECZEMA AGAIN

GISBORNE OUTBREAK AFTEPAiATIT FIIOAL AUTU.MX / SENS! TISATIOX IX cattle Facial ( xzema lias broken out again in a number ol‘ (Jisborne Hocks, while some yearling cattle have been affected by the true photo sensitisation associated with what is generally called iacial eczema.

The past autumn’s out break was confined almost entirely to flocks mainly, in the low country, and allhough some cattle were reported to have contracted the disease in- 103.5 they did not show signs of it. this year until during the past week or so. .

Cases of yearling cattle exhibiting signs of photo sensisation are not frequent-, and have been noticed when yearlings wintering on rather hard conditions have been brought down on to better pasture on the lower country. Their appetites for the young and .succulent grass has been so great as to give them a sudden over-abund-ance of such food.

Reviewing this matter yesterday, Mr. E. J. Simmons, Government veterinary supervisor, Department of Agriculture, Gisborne, stated that m those eases there would be no effect on the liver, and a spell from the green grass would clear up their condition, although if there was very little shade in the paddocks the skin on the face might be severely affected by rubbing.

The sheep which were showing signs of facial eczema were mainly ewes, although a few hoggets were affected also. The livers in. these sheep were probably so badly affected during the autumn trouble that, although apparently recovered from the disease, the symptoms returned with even a slow flush of,grass. ,