MORTALITY AMONG HOGGETS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10262, 14 June 1911, Page 5

MORTALITY AMONG HOGGETS.

DEPARTMENTAL ADVICE. In view of the fact that a number of deaths have already occurred this season on MJasterton sheep-<stations, it may be interesting to know that a leaflet on the subject has been issued by Mr 0. J. Reakes, Director of tihe Live Stock and Meat Division of this Agricultural Department. Mr Reakes states that the disease, which is known as "parasitic gastritis," is caused by the presence in the fourth stomach of ,a very sunall worm known as ' 'strongylus ostertagi." Indications of parasitic gastritis are easily observable, diarrhoea, accompanied by general lassitude, wasting and progressive anaemia being the most prominent symptom. Affected animals often display a marked propensity to lick at the soil, especially at hillsides; and it is a common occurrence, on making a post mortem examiniarbion, to find a quantity of sandy material in the stomach and intestines. So far as treatment for the disease is concerned, Mr Reakes says this must be carried out thoroughly if any reasonably good results are to be hoped for. One essential is a complete change of pasture. If the trouble develops in a flock, it may be assumed that they have been grazing in a pasture contaminated by the presence of the parasites or their ova (eggs). The animals should be at onoe removed to the driest and best-drained land available, where, if the only water supply obtainable is artesian or pure running water. One or two feeds daily of [ good, nutritious, easily digested food (crushed oats, oaten chaff, pollard, good hay, etc.) must he given. Often the dry feed is not eaten readily when good grass is plentiful, but every effort should be made to induce animals to take it, SprTukiittg .with salt and water will assist in this., ■ and the .salt in itself wild prove beneficial. Of the drugs which have given good results in varying degrees, thymol and various coal-tar derivatives, particularly creosote and lysol, ; have been the most Of \< these, Mr Reakes considers lyMl the l most efficacious, provided it be? Used I with care and judgment. The dose I for lambs over six months old is half | a drachm; for hoggets, threequarter® lof a drachm; for two-tooths, one drachm.. (A draehim is equal to a teaspoonful.) Unless well diluted, lysol, while being swallowed, causes considerable irritation to the membrane of the throat, and it should therefore never be given in too strong solution. The best material with which to mix it is milk or very thin gruel—about a third of a pint with each dose. One dose should be given daily for four days, then an interval of from eight or ten days al- 1 lowed to elapse, after which a fur- "i ther "series of four doses may be given. The allowance of .sound, dry ! food must be continued. This important feature in iMe treatment of the disease should never be lost sight of. i