FACIAL ECZEMA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23002, 1 April 1938, Page 15

FACIAL ECZEMA

APPEARANCE OP DISEASE WAIKATO SHEEP AFFECTED CAUSE AND TREATMENT BV H.B.T. Throughout tlio Waikato and in some other districts in the Central North Inland, facial eczema in sheep, previously experienced on a serious scale a year or two ago in Poverty Bay and Hawke's Bay, has made its unwelcome appearance.

This is by no means a new disease. The writer remembers it affecting hoggets in the Hawke's Bay district nearly twenty years ago, but at that time tho number of sheep affected was not nearly so great as latterly, and this lends some support to the theory that increasing miueral deficiences in our soil and pasture may be a predisposing cause. Suspected Causes

So far as our knowledge goes at present, facial eczema results from a torpid or inactive condition of tho excr.etory organs following an extended period of dry weather and feed shortage. It is easy to understand that, heaving little work to do in excreting surplus proteins and possibly toxic matter in the food, tho bowels, kidneys, liver and even the sweat glands of the skin become sluggish. Then, suddenly, a warm rain causes a flush of sappy grass growth, high in proteins —and low in minerals. All the excretory organs are suddenly asked to do an unusual amount of work, and fail to respond fully. The result is that the blood is not purified of tho poisons which are normally taken out of the system.

Among other overworked excretory organs the sweat glands are asked to work overtime, and they, and the skin in which they are located, become inflamed and sensitive to light—really a form of severe sunburn. The liver, which is the great filter for the animal's system, becomes overcharged with impurities of which it cannot rid itself quickly enough to prevent a breakdown. The kidneys and bowels suffer in like manner. Preventive Measures The most satisfactory methods of prevention are either to provide a medicated lick or a drench in which Epsom salts (sulphate of magnesia), saltpetre (nitrate of potash), Glauber salts (sodi sulphas), and mineral oil (petrolatum) plav a prominent part. The Epsom salts and Glauber salts supply mineral elements which are apparently deficient in the system at such a time, and stimulate the liver to activity. This produces a flow of bile which aids digestion and helps to correct constipation. This latter condition is further corrected by the mineral oil which lubricates the bowels without adding to the burden of the blood stream, as _ would vegetable oils, which are assimilated by the animal. The saltpetre acts on the kidneys, making them active in extracting and expelling these toxic substances (especially surplus nitrogenous matter —proteins) which, in excess, are poisonous. (

Medicinal Treatment When, however, sheep show symptoms of eczema tho whole flock, or at least those which have been grazing on dry, short feed, should be drenched each with two fluid ounces of the following, which is estimated as sufficient for 100 sheep:—lib. Epsom salts, lib. Glauber salts, slb. saltpetre, dissolved in "1 quart of boiling water, and then emulsified with 1 gallon of mineral oil. Tho emulsification can be effected by passing the mixture through a spray pump once or twice, both the water solution and oil being heated to facilitate their mixing. Sheep which have developed eczema should have their faces smeared with lamp-black and oil to give them relief from the effects of tho sun's rays. The diseaso is not contagious.