DISEASE EASING OFF

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18661, 22 March 1935, Page 4

DISEASE EASING OFF

FACIAL ECZEMA IN SHEEP PINE DAYS BRING RELIEF HEAVY TOLL IN GISBORNE The few fine days experienced in the Gisborne district this week have brought a certain amount of relief to the flocks stricken with facial eczema. Dull conditions have continued generally, but the bright sunshine on Tuesday and yesterday, combined with the absence of rain on most days, has helped pasture conditions a, great deal and seems to have assisted the internal condition of the sheep themselves, for farmers report that numbers of sheep showing symptoms of facial eczema have recovered, and the spread of the disease has been checked. On the Coast, too, these conditions have prevailed this week. Coastal properties were not affected to such a great extent as those around Gisborne, but nevertheless many. sheep were suffering, A marked improvement has been noticed during the past few days. The easing up ot the disease might be only temporary, for it is believed that it continuously damp conditions are .resumed the disease might become just as bad as, or even worse than, before. Already the affection has become widespread throughout the district. Many farmers have had to slaughtei sheep, and the total mortality may run into several thousands.

Those sheep which have passed the worst effects seem to be quite happy now. The case of one sheep is quoted as typical. It had had the disease so badly and had scratched its head about so much that only one small tuft of wool remained on the head. A day or two ago it was feeding quite happily, seemingly feeling no discomforture, though while the irritation lasted it Oiust have suffered agony. ' It has been reported already thai the sheep affected by the eczema have felt the effects of the sunlight most severely. It has been noticed, too, that where there have been patches of black wool the skin has been unaffected, yet all round under the white wool the skin has been hard and swollen. Many farmers have treated the faces of sheep with a mixture of £-pint of raw linseed oil, 1,-pint of lime water; with a teaspoonful of Stockholm tar smeared on the face and ears.

Dosing with Epsom salts has been adopted on many farms. Many cures have been effected, but at the same time sheep have died immediately on dosing. Farmers are puzzled over this. Investigations by the Government veterinary officer, Mr. P. Haugh, have shown that in such cases the doses have been too strong and that more water should be added. A dose of from 2oz. to 3oz. of Epsom salts should be mixed with not less than half a pint of water, and preferably three-quarters of a pint or a full pint. ,