PREVALENCE OF HYDATIDS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 230, 27 August 1938, Page 10

PREVALENCE OF HYDATIDS.

ADDRESS TO FARMERS. Some interesting information on the subj bet of hydatids was given by Mr A. S. Turner, of the Otago Medical School, to members of the local branch of the Farmers' Union, last evening. He referred to its prevalence in New Zealand, Australia,- Iceland, and Algeria, and traced the origin and growth of the disease; the latter being caused by a small taper that lived in the intestines of a dog. He described the various stages of its development in animals until the cystic stage of the disease was reached, and explained how a complete cycle was formed, from dog to sheep and then vice versa. He also dealt with the infection, by man, of the disease. In Iceland success had attended the remedial measures. In Australia it had' been found that the spread of the disease had been caused by dust. It had been found that the hair of dogs had been contaminated with hydatid eggs. The speaker the infection of lung and liver, and the discoveries which had been made in this connection. The most potent infection in

man was through dogs, and this was attributed to certain phases in the close handling or caressing of dogs. The eating of raw vegetables, with which dogs had been in contact, was also a source of infection. Mr Turner described in detail the nature of the parasite, and said-that hydatids was a preventible disease and could be completely wiped out, Iceland being quoted as an instance.where the disease had been arrested. The speaker also explained the cycle of the disease betwen dog and sheep. He pointed out that it .was only from a dog that a human being could be infected.

Mr Turner also gave particulars of effective remedial measures to be applied, and the method of dosing the dog. Legislative action had been taken, last session, to deal with the prevention of hydatids, and a preparation known as arecoline hydro-bromide was to be distributed next year with the registration of dogs. The result of research experiments and the percentage of infection were related by the speaker. It was found that only on three farms where the dogs were not given uncooked sheep’s offal was the infection missing. The comparatively large percentage of sheep slaughtered at abattoirs whose livers were affected by the disease was referred to. The loss annually was estimated at £50,000, and so far this had been borne by tho freezing companies; but it was doubtful if they would continue to do so. In the Wairarapa about 144 dogs had been treated, and it was estimated that 40 per cent, were infected with hydatids. Mr Turner also alluded to the number of' hydatid patients in public hospitals; the cases were of a surgical nature. In 1936, there had been 136 public hospital eases, in this country and 16 deaths. There had also been several cases in private hospitals. The speaker urged, from a farming, economic, and medical point of view the necessity of co-operating with the research authorities in combating the disease, and he cited the desirability of farmers being educated on the subject.

The president (Mr J. C. Bolton) and Mr E. J. Harding also gave the meeting some interesting concerning the disease and a discussion ensued.

Mr Turner replied to several questions regarding infection and treatment. On the motion of the president, seconded by Mr Harding, he was accorded h hearty, vote oi thanks. Regret was expressed that the attendance was not larger. On behalf of the Young Farmers' Club, Mr H. Goldsworthy expressed the appreciation of that body.