RESEARCH WORK TO BEGIN

Southland Times, Issue 23502, 7 May 1938, Page 6

RESEARCH WORK TO BEGIN

FACIAL ECZEMA IN STOCK INVESTIGATIONS TO COVER WIDE RANGE (United Press Association) . WELLINGTON, May 6. A programme of investigation and research into facial eczema in stock was announced today by the Hon. F. Langstone, acting Minister of Agriculture, who said the programme would cover as wide a field as possible. The Department of Agriculture had delegated a strong team of workers to the inquiry, including veterinarians,' soil and analytical chemists and biochemists and, in addition, there would be an officer of the Scientific and Industrial Research Department, who would deal with physiological and biochemical changes in pastures. The work would be co-ordinated under the direction of Mr F. J. Filmer, B.V. Sc., veterinary research officer of the Department of Agriculture. The Minister stated that the research work could broadly be classified under three headings. (1) An extensive survey by veterinary officers in the affected areas of South Auckland district to obtain all possible data about the outbreaks. (2) Intensive field and laboratory work at Ruakura farm by veterinarians and chemists. (3) Pathological work on the disease at the Wallaceville Veterinary laboratory. "The survey by veterinary officers in the South Auckland district is receiving the co-operation and help of members of the local sectional committees which have been set up,” said Mr Langstone. “The information which it is necessary to collect about the incidence of facialeczema on farms covers a very wide field. In the collection of this information, we have no doubt that the full co-operation of the farmers whose properties will be visited will be given. Dr C. S. M. Hopkirk, officer-in-charge of the Wallaceville veterinary laboratory, who is at present abroad, has been instructed to investigate the work which has been carried out in other countries, particularly in South Africa, where serious outbreaks have occurred. The investigations which have begun in New Zealand will form a basis of a long-term programme.”