HYDATIDS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21190, 10 November 1938, Page 14

HYDATIDS

NEED FOR URGENT ACTION APPEAL BY GOVERNOR-GENERAL The Governor-General. Lord Galway, at the opening of the Royal Show at Palmerston North last year and again at the opening of the Royal Show at Hamilton, stressed the need for immel diate action for eradicating hydatids. “In New Zealand there are approximately 30.000.000 sheep and approximately 150.000 sheep dogs, and when it is remembered that a large number of sheep and one-third of our country dogs are affected by the disease the need for urgent action will be apparent. Moreover, during 1936. there were in our hospitals 136 patients suffering from hydatids. “Now, is there any reason why we should tolerate this parasitical malady any longer,” asked His Excellency. "Last session the Government brought down legislation under which dogowners are held responsible for treating their dogs periodically, but uni fortunately, owing to the fact that there was not a sufficient quantity of ■ suitable worm tablets in the Dominion, it was necessary to postpone the enforcement of the Act until early next year. “The necessary directions for treatment of the dogs have already been issued, and I take this opportunity of appealing to all dog-owners to cooperate with the Government in an earnest endeavour to stamp out this . malady which is causing so much sick- ■ ness and suffering, loss of life and I economic loss. “In particular I would like to appeal to the wives of owners of dogs to help us as so much can be done by them if they only interest themselves in the care and supervision of the dogs. If they would make sure that the dogs are given the prescribed dose once every three months, that clean . bedding and clean water are always i provided, and above all things that the I dogs are not fed on raw offal then a • very definite step forward would be j taken to eradicate the pest—and this i surely would be a very small premium ■ to pay to safeguard the health of the children.”