LIVER FLUKE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 236, 18 September 1936, Page 11

LIVER FLUKE

Instructive Address To Eskdaie Farmers CONTROL METHODS From Our Own Correspondent. ESKDALE, Sept. 16. The monthly meeting of the Eskdaie branch of the New Zealand Farmers Union was held in the Eskdaie hall last night, an extremely large attendance being presided over by Mr C. C. Smith. Considerable Interest was shown by those present in a very informative lecture delivered by Mr Tetley, biologist of Massey Agricultural College, Palmerston North, on the life cyclo and control of liver fluke in sheep. From his lecture, illustrated by lantern slides, many interesting points, regarding the life and habits of this parasite were gleaned. The fluke worm found mostly in sheep and goats, said Mr Tetley, was of a parasite nature, attacking the liver of the animal, through the bial ducts. Young sheep appeared more susceptable to this disease than older animals. Mr Tetley explained lengthly the various stages of growth of the fluke worm, from the larvae to the adult parasite, on entering the animal. At one stage the larvae entered a small species of water snail. These snails abound in damp and marshy places, adhering to the grass and verdure near the water’s edge; later being eaten by stock grazing around the water line and thereby transferring the fluke larvae to the stomach from which it continues its course.

Farmers, said the speaker, would be well advised to drain, if possible, all likely breeding places of this parasite, thereby checking to some extent the ravages of this pestilent disease. Many other methods were useful in controlling the worm, the most notable being rotational grazing, plowing and sowing down to crops and harrow’ng the pastures. Top-dressing had very little effect on its control.

One of the most outstanding factors of control cited by Mr Tetley was the importance of nutrition of the animals, strong healthy animals having more re

sistence to its ravages. Another control method specified bv some authorities was salting with a mixture of 251bs bluestone and 100 pounds of sand (to aid even spreading) per acre. This method was for use on pastures «nr rounding mnrshv and swampv land- and applied preferably in the summer and autumn when there was less water in these places. Some eonfusirn had no doubt occur red in regard to the relationship of

fluke to the very common black or braxxie’s disease, but as far as could be ascertained no such similarity existed, the symptons being totally unalike. Mr Tetley also explained very fully the cycle of the various stomach and tape worms in animals, stressing the importance in controlling these parisites by taking the necessary measures in drenching the animals. Although drenching was quite effective so far as concerned the round stomach worms, it has little or no effect on lung, small stomach and tape worms. At the conclusion of his address, Mr Tetley answered numerous questions, relating to his lecture, which he explained to his utmost ability. Mr C. C. Smith, in a short address, voiced the appreciation of those present, and expressed appreciation of the benefits derived from such an interesting lecture in waging war against such destructive parasites as mentioned.

A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the speaker by acclamation for his most instructive and helpful lecture.