BUSH SICKNESS CURE

Southland Times, Issue 23682, 3 December 1938, Page 19

BUSH SICKNESS CURE

SUCCESS OF DRENCHING WITH MINERALS

On Thistle Island, situated about 40 miles south from Port Lincoln, Australia, a Mr and Mrs Wade have proved the value of the discovery, made by officers of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, that cobalt nitrate and copper sulphate are the minerals which, in deficient quantity, cause what is known in Australia as “coast disease,” and in the Dominion as “bush sickness.”

About three years ago Mr Wade purchased this 10,000-acre island, on which, previously, it had been impossible to rear or keep healthy sheep. He commenced drenching his fast-dwindling flock with five milligrams of cobalt nitrate, and the sheep showed immediate improvement. With repeated dosing the animals rapidly recovered their health, while lambs dropped after the ewes were drenched survived. Gradually the strength of the dose was increased and the time between drenchings extended. The proportions of the drench now administered are 25 milligrams of cobalt and 25 milligrams of copper sulphate given in an ounce of water.

So successful has been this drenching that there is now no sign of coast disease among the sheep, and the owner states that he can now successfully raise fat lambs where previously they died a few hours, or days, after birth.