ECZEMA IN SHEEP

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 100, 30 April 1938, Page 10

ECZEMA IN SHEEP

SERIOUS NATURE OF THE DISEASE

DISCUSSION BY TARANAKI FARMERS I Per Press Association. ] NEW PLYMOUTH, April 29. The serious nature of facial eczema among sheep was discussed by a large meeting of North Taranaki farmers at New Plymouth to-day, when it was decided to draw the attention of the Government to the outbreak, with a request that efforts be made to find means for the prevention rather than cure. So large was the attendance that a larger hall than anticipated had to be engaged.

Mr W. G. Grant declared that the complaint was a South African disease, which affected the liver of animals. He contended that farmers were concentrating too much on production and neglected the animal itself. An excessive herd was a large contributing factor. He said that dosing with salts and painting sheepj faces with Stockholm tar and lara had proved a successful cure for hrs stock. Mr Grant contended that it was not a matter for the Government, but for individual farmers.

The contention that stock sales should be prohibited by the Government to reduce the possibility of the spread of facial eczema was made to-day by an old settler. He also advocated thorough fumigation of stock wagons and lorries after use. Emphasising the seriousness of the outbreak he said that any precaution to prevent its spread was warranted.