BLINDNESS IN SHEEP.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1361, 12 February 1912, Page 10

BLINDNESS IN SHEEP.

CASES AT EKETAHUNA. At a recent meeting of the Eketahur.a branch of the Farmers' Union Mr. \V. B. Mathicson reported that he had Clustered n paddock of 240 ewes, and of this number he had found eighteen quite blind. lie could not account for this large percentage, and had consequently communicated with Mr. Eeakes, head of the Stock Department, who had instructed Mr. Howard, Government Veterinarian, to inspect the flock. Mr. Howard carefully examine?! the afflicted sheep, and although not able to definitely pronounce the cause leading up to tho'blindness, said he believed it was duo to ants, as some of the sheep displayed marks on the eyeballs. Tho complaint, Mr. Howard pointed out, was not contagious, and the whole of the sheep evidently got it from the one The advice received had bfon to wash the eyes with sulphate of zinc, and to keep the sheep in n dark shed during the daytime.

[*; Members expressed the opinion Hint E blindness was generally attributed to irrib tation caused by frrass-seed set tins into £ the eyes, and no other solution had yet ti been put forward. is Tlie ant referred to is known as the £ "rod ant," and is particularly destructive I to poultry.