SHEEP DISEASES.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 288, 10 July 1875, Page 2

SHEEP DISEASES.

The following letter from the Australasian is in reply to a communication from Mr. J. D. Canning, M.P.C., of Porangahau, Hawke’s Bay. Sir, —A correspondent in the Australasian of May 22 desires an interchange of thought on the subject of sheep-lung worm disorder, commonly known as hoose or hush, technically termed phthisis pulmonalis verrninalis. The disease is fatal to calves and lambs, and has of late years assumed alarming proportions among both in the colonies, mitigated neither by the comfort of the climate, nor the well-cared-for stud rams, for the unshepherded weaners enjoy immunity from its ravages. But before dealing with what must be regarded as the important aspect of the question, viz., cause aud prevention, the question of immediate treatment may perhaps be more pressing, and I shall therefore say something about that in this short letter. At the outset, I affirm that the vast amount of loss has been entailed through the injudicious publication of bad and useless recipes; almost all kinds of compounds have parsed current, from areea-nut powdered to petroleum. All the agents named may be excellent in their place, but they never reach the habitation of these thread worms, consequently are worse than useless, for mouths of valuable time is lost awaiting what never can come from such means—a cure. Not only are these worms placed away from the general track of medicinal agents, but their presence is invariably complicated with either tubercular disease or inflammation of the lungs —diseases which cannot be touched beneficially with any known antithelmentic. Not only so, but in the majority of flocks seen by me worms were also found in the stomach and intestines. Here’s a picture of an extreme condition, but of a condition by no means uncommon. Mr. C , of Belview says, “ One animal opened by me had small white worms in the windpipe and dowrt in the lungs, small red worms in the honeycomb, round fair-sized worms in'fhe intestines, .and one tape-worm 16ft. Jong.” Of course, it is impossible to say, looking at a flock, exactly how each animal is affected. I find in an Indian report a statement that 500 human patients bad with tenia were treated for low fever. If such a mistake can be made in the diagnosis of sneaking animal*, it is much more likely to be made ♦ith animals whose language is not understood by us. The whole matter is surrounded with difficulties of so grave a nature, sufficient, I fancy, to deter thoughtless empirics, and surely every intelligent man knowing this will act wjth great prudence and caution. It is perfectly clear from what is known of the disease, or rather diseases, that no mere form of fumigation can be expected to answer every purpose. Carbolic acid, lime, tobacco, sulphur, creosote, iodine, camphor, &c., have been tried in the crude, spirit, and fume form, and, of course, with the most valuable results. Smearing the nostrils with volatile antithelmentics in purely lung cases has done good. I have even tried spray into the windpipe, but this is too impracticeable a form of action for general use, although it kills the worms. I find, however, the following plan attended with most success :—Drench with what is known as the Scottish oils, a drug manufactured from a prescription of Professor Diek’s. It would be needless stating the component parts, for the success of the agents depends on chemical conditions developed in the manufacturing of the oil, and none but a trained man could compound them. They seem to have the power of dispelling all forms of worms, and are by no means expensive. I fancy that they may be procured through your wholesale houses. This drench should be followed by some form of tonic food; that recommended by Cobbold will do, although it is not the best for sheep in these colonies ; in fact, any kind of a meal will do better than nothing. Still it is most desirable to use the best article, sogetthesheep tonic food.

Sheep suffering from lung diseases cannot be handled often or it will kill them, so that in some instances of paddock-fed sheep I use only the tonic food, or medicated salt. Where however, the weaners are averse to lick the tonic food, drenching must be resorted to. During certain seasons of the year it is good practice to drench one day on an empty stomach, and next day place the animals on fresh green feed. This often acts like a charm. Where, however, a complicated form of diseases exists there is no such thing as curing by sleight of hand. Somehow, gentlemen have an idea that sheep can be cured in a very different way from other animals ; no greater mistake can be made than this. Experience and intelligence are both required, and I fancy that the last three years ought to convince squatters that some form of scientific action must be brought to bear on a state of things extremely troublesome, and an extreme source of loss. However, the question of cause and prevention are much more important than even the treatment, .important though that may be to some sufferers.—Yours, &c., John Pottie, Veterinary Surgeon. Sydney, June 1.