FACIAL ECZEMA IN STOCK

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22389, 30 April 1938, Page 13

FACIAL ECZEMA IN STOCK

AUCKLAND METROPOLITAN

AREA AFFECTED

TROUBLE AMONG SHEEP

AND HORSES

(PMS 9 ASSOCIATION TELBOBAM.)

AUCKLAND. April 29.

Few grazing areas in the Auckland metropolitan area have been immune from the facial eczema epidemic among stock. Up to the present stage, however, it does not appear to have gained a serious hold and no fatal case has been reported. Of the 150 ewes, wethers, and lambs on the Mount Hobson Domain, Remuera, about 20 have already been transferred to rough pasture because "of their condition, and an inspection to-day found others showing signs dt the disease. In Cornwall Park and on One Tree Hill, where there are large flocks, several animals show characteristic symptoms of the trouble at its early stages. Horses are also stated to have been affected, but most have responded well to treatment. Inflammation of the nasal passages seems to be a common condition, together with the formation of blisters inside the nose and mouth. Three thoroughbreds owned by an Auckland man suffered in this way while they were turned out on green pasture, but as soon as they were stabled, hard-fed, and treated by a veterinary surgeon, normal health was regained. "The losses of farmers whose stock is affected by eczema will be substantially increased at the lambing or calving time of the survivors," said the manager of a large stock concern in Auckland. "The 1935 epidemic clearly showed that," he said. In 1935 a high proportion of ewes that had recovered were in such poor condition at lambing time that they then died. A good number of lambs also died at birth, or if they survived were poor in physique.

TARANAKI FARMERS PERTURBED

SUGGESTED REASONS FOR OUTBREAK

NEW PLYMOUTH, April 29. The serious nature of the outbreak of facial eczema among sheep was discussed by a large meeting of North Taranaki farmers at New Plymouth to-day, which decided to draw the attention of the Government to the outbreak with a request that efforts be made to find a means of prevention rather than a cure. So large was the attendance at the meeting that a larger hall than was anticipated had to be engaged. Mr W. B. Grant declared that the complaint was a South African disease which affected the liver of the animals. He contended that farmers were concentrating too much on production, and neglected the animal Itself. He said that dosing with salts and painting the faces of, sheep with Stockholm tar and lard had proved a successful cure for his stock. Mr Grant contended that it was not a matter for the Government, but for individual farmers.