LEAFLETS FOR FARMERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2085, 8 February 1894, Page 8

LEAFLETS FOR FARMERS.

NO. 10.— BLOOD-POISONING IN LAMBS

AFTFR CUTTING AND TAILING. Intbhim Repobt.

Last spring I was requested to investigate this disease, which is and has in former years been the cause of considerable mortality amongst lambs in the districts of Balclutha and Wyndham, in Otago. In some cases I found the number of deaths as high as 10 to 12 per cent. I investigated the matter, so far as I was able at the time, with tbe following results :—: —

Generally the first thing that draws the owner's attention seriously to the condition of his flock is the discovery, in from 36 to 48 hours after operating, of a few dead lambs lying in Various parts of the paddocks. Next morning he finds a few more dead, and so on for three or four days, when, as a rule, the mortality fceaßes.

Symptoms. — On account of the gregarious habits of tha sheep, an ailing animal, unless exhibiting very violent symptoms, is easily overlooked. In the early stages of this disease the animal seems listless, disinclined to move about or to suck the mother, and, if the sun is ehiniug strongly, pref erß to lie in the shade. If forced to move, the hind legs are drawn forward with a peculiar stiff, dragging motion, as if there were no joints. There are slight muscular tremors all over the body, which become spasmodic aa the disease progresses. If the flock be driven about much, the diseased animal soon shows signs of great fatigue, ultimately dropping to the ground thoroughly exhausted. The breathing is fast and puinf ul, being maintained more by a series of spasmodic jerks than by any regular act. The pulse is quick and weak ; the temperature is very high, registering 106deg to 108deg Fahr., Bhowing acute fever ; the eyes close, and the whole face is expressive of great pain. Gradually the spasms cease, and coma sets in, resulting in death. As a rule, until just before death, there is no local swelling, &c, but then, or immediately after death, the scrotum (bag) and surrounding skin right along the floor of the abdomen and betweeu the hind legs gets swollen and black. This gangrenous tissue, when present before 'death, can be peeled off without pain to the animal.

On pott mortem examination yarious conditions are met with. The animals are generally found to be amongst the best of the flock, and in fairly good condition. The scrotal and perimeal; regions (between the hind legs and below the tail) are always, or almost always, gangrenous, this condition extending along to the floor of the chest, and sometimes implicating the tail. Many of the muscles — generally those of the shoulders, haunches, and loins, are dark in colour and infiltrated with a black, watery fluid. The intestines are generally healthy, though sometimes the peritonaeum is inflamed. The spleen and liver are in tbe usual condition after death due to febrile disturbance, In tbe chest, either the pleurjre (coverings of tbe lungs) or pericardium (covering of the heart) are nearly always inflamed, with a fibrinous exudation, causing the surfaces to adhere.

The cause ot the disease is undoubtedly a micro-organism, which gains entrance to the blood by the open wound at the tail or scrotum. This is proved by the fact that the disease can be transmitted from one animal to another by inoculation. '=* The question is, Where does this microbe come from i From either a dirty yard or dirty land. For ray own part I am more inclined to believe that the latter is the more common source of infection, because I have seen cases of ttxe disease where animals were not operated upon in a yard, and other cases where the yards were apparently perfectly clean. The most common harbours for bacteria of this nature are the swampa and boggy creeks abounding in many farms, but any ill-drained land seems to be /suitable for their development. Now take this in relation to the lambs. Those which Beem to be moßt weakened by the operation of cutting, bo., are the oldest lambs, and they naturally retire to some cool place in the (shade, where they can reet undisturbed. Such a retreat is to be found in a swampy place, where the tussocks afford them a slelter from the wind and sun, and the damp ground soothes them. Provided there were no abrasions of the skin they could lie there with impunity, but the out surface affords an entrance to the tissues for the microbes, where they multiply rapidly and ultimately destroy tie animal.

Treatment. — Owteg to the rapid course of the disease I think treatment is useless. A system of preventive measures is the only reliable means to adopt, and here much can be done by a little care and trouble.

As a rule, when the New Zealand stockowner finds a few of his lambs dead from any cause whatsoever, he either allows them to lie till they rot completely away or, if he considers himself a careful man, he throws them jnto the nearest swamp or dry creek. Now surely, io the face of the scientific knowledge of the day, such a course is foolish. It simply supplies food for the cause of the deathß to live to another year. The present practice of leaving dead sheep to rot on the pastures and in swamps cannot be too strongly condemned. Almost as bad as this is the villainous habit of leaving the numerous carcases of rabbits to rot anywhere — - nay, «veo taking the trouble to bang them on the nearest fence alongside the public road. Truly a grim ornament in more ways than one .! No wonder disease germs live, and disease gets common, when mankind supplies such facilities.

In the prevention of any disease cleanliness is a great essential. Therefore I would advise that all yards should be scrupulously cleaned, and the floors sprinkled with lime, before operating upon the lambs. If possible, the paddocks should be well drained, and surface dressed with lime, but I fear it is too much to expect that at present. Many boggy paddocks, however, might have a. ditch running through the centre, and so improve matters a little.

The hands and instruments of the operator should be perfectly clean and antiseptic, and an .antiseptic dressing should be used for the wounds. In certain experiments I have found carbolic acid one part to olive oil 12 parts a very jrood preventive application. In cases where the •disease has been very virulent in former years I would recommend another application of the carbolic oil in 24 hours.

i understand some settlers have used, and a&vi&e the use of, pure turpentine. Needless io siy, such cruelty is quite unwarranted, the animals andergoing enough pain during the operation.

The lambs ovghfc to be as carefully handled before and after the operation as possible, and the assistants who hold the lambs should be instructed to drop them gently on to their feet, as by landing on their haunches the wounds come in contact with the ground.

Sheep. — I understand the same disease attacks sheep in the same districts ; and the above may apply generally to them as well as to lambs. Stockholm tar or carbolic oil ought

to be applied to the smallest scratch, especially if about the legs or under surface of the body.

John A. Gilruth, M.R.C.V.S. December 1893. New Zealand Department of Agriculture, John D. Ritchie, secretary," January 29, 1894.