TROUBLES WITH STOCK

Southland Times, Issue 20147, 6 April 1927, Page 5

TROUBLES WITH STOCK

DISEASES IN AUSTRALIA. MORTALITY AMONG HORSES. Sydney, March 18. The, pastoral history of Australia is studded with epic battles against diseases which are unknown or little known in other countries, and the success of the industry may be said to have been the fighting and conquering of these diseases. Just now two branches of the industry are tackling problems which have not been encountered pre-viously—“walk-about” disease in horses in the north-west of the continent and “swell-ed-head” disease in rams.

“Walk-about” is a mysterious complaint. Affected horses walk about without grazing until they come to an obstacle like a fence or a tree, and there they stand until they die. To investigate it for the Commonwealth, a well-known Melbourne botanist and a veterinary officer have gone to Western Australia. The disease is prevalent only in April, May, June and July, but has a heavy mortality. Advices received show that losses have already occurred this year. The fact that the disease is restricted to certain months suggests that it may be due to plant-poisoning, the poison being active when the shoots are young, but disappearing when the plants grow up.

“Swelled-head” disease in rams, as in name indicates, is a swelling of the head until it grows out of all proportion and invariably results in the death of the affected animal. Many rams are infected before being discovered, and the New South Wales Department of Agriculture is warning sheepbreeders to inspect their flocks closely each day in order to detect the disease in its early stages. So far, no clue to its cause has been discovered, except that heat is probably a contributing factor. Sheepowners are advisedtthat on discovering an affected animal it should be placed in a cart and taken to the coolest and shadiest place possible. Rams that are secured before the heads are greatly swollen and are nursed carefully have recovered. The best veterinary talent of the department is now scattered far and wide investigating this mysterious disease, and hopes are entertained that the cause will soon be elucidated.