The FARM

North Canterbury Gazette, Volume 6, Issue 66, 9 April 1937, Page 6

The FARM

RINGWORM

Easy To Cure * SIMPLE REMEDIES (By “VET.” in the “Farmer and Stock-Breeder.”) There is no need to have stock about looking at their worst and a danger to their fellows and their attendants. The disease yields readily to simple remedies—provided that they are applied thoroughly so that dressings really reach the skin. It is during the hard days of winter and early spring that ringworm is most prevalent among calves and yearlings, especially in the case of animals in poor condition or “under the weather.”

The disease is caused by a family of fungi or moulds of which there are several members. Scientists have classed the various members of this group, and named them. But to the farmer and stock-owner, ringworm is ringworm. It is important, however, to remember that all these fungi produce spores, which, when they fall or get placed on the skin of a susceptible animal, commence to grow and give rise to the disease. Very Resistant The spores are very resistant to outside destructive influences, drying, etc., and may retain their powers of germination for many months. Being light in weight thej r are readily carried about by currents of air, and on particles of dust, etc., and so spread the disease. The usual method of spread, however, is by direct contact with diseased animals, with rubbing posts, stall partitions, etc. The fungus grows on the skin and attacks the hairs which break off leaving bare patches usually circular in form. Hence the term ringworm. But in bad cases when a number of ringworms run together the skin may present large irregular areas devoid of hair. The irritation caused by the fungus gives rise to thickening of the skin and the formation of crusts and scales, which give to the disease its characteristic appearance. Ringworm may be found on any part of the body, but the more usual sites are the neck, round the eyes, at the back of the ears, and the lips. Not Difficult to Cure The disease is not usually difficult to cure, provided that care is taken to ensure that the dressings really reach the skin. This is done by first removing the crusts and scales by washing the parts with hot water, soap, and a solution of washing soda, and a piece of coarse sacking. Upon no account should finger nails be used for scraping away the crusts, etc., as the disease may be con-

tracted by so doing; and the disease is far more obstinate and difficult to get rid of in the human subject than in animals. It is advisable for persons treating ringworm cases to wear an overall and close fitting cap, and to be most particular in washing the hands and forearms after handling affected animals. Remedies The parts having been cleaned up and dried, the selected remedy may be applied. One of the most useful of these is composed of one part creosote and seven parts linseed oil—painted on with a brush. One full teaspoonful of formalin solution added to Boz. of water is yet another effective dressing, but is rather too irritating to use near the eyes, or on horses and dogs, and for those animals is best replaced by tincture of iodine. Any one of the following ointments may also be used for treating ringworm, but they must be rubbed thoroughly into the parts and not merely smeared on:— (a) Sulphur 1 part; lard 5 parts. (b) lodine 1 part; iodide of potassium 3 parts; lard 5 parts. (c) Sulphur 1 part; soft soap 5 parts (d) Sulphur 1 part; lard 9 parts; Stockholm tar 2 parts. Dressings should be applied every day for 3-4 days and then every other day, both to the affected parts and a wide margin of skin around them, keeping the fact in view that ringworm spreads from the edges of the circle. Affected animals should be kept well apart from healthy stock, and in a place that is easily cleaned up and disinfected after they have been cured, and they should be given a good dressing of the lime and sulphur sheep dip before being allowed to mix with the healthy animals again. Bedding used by affected animals should be burnt, and everything that they have come in contact with should be thoroughly cleaned up and disinfected with a good disinfectant.