205 



not only of our local fowls but from most of the other Weal Indian 

 islands. 



The loss amongst these imported fowls was equal to 30 per cent., 

 but lately this has ceased. The poultry are carefully kept on grass 

 and gravel runs, which are dressed with hot lime, good sound food 

 and pure water is supplied. 



CATTLE. 



5. Specimen. Strongylus sp. which proved most destructive to 

 the Farm cattle last year, both old and young. These parasites were 

 located in the lungs, which induced pneumonia followed by emaciation, 

 diarrhoea, death. The water supply at the time was contaminated 

 with sewage and since a new supply has been provided there has been 

 no further attack or loss. 



Any information regarding the life history of these parasites will 

 be most acceptable. 



C. W. MEADEN, 

 Government Farm, Manager. 



18th January, 1905. 



FURTHER REMARKS. 



These further remarks on the subject are not touched upon from 

 purely scientific diagnosis, but from the practical aspect which the 

 owner of stock is likely to encounter in his every-day management. 

 The matter is dealt with from the conditions of Trinidad; which, 

 though not a pastoral country, raises a fair number of stock ; and, 

 apart from parasitic attacks, their health and growth is satisfactory, 

 and diseases scheduled as contagious are practically unknown. 



Our chief source of trouble and loss in cattle on the Government 

 Farm was due to a species of Strongylus, which has been identified 

 from the specimens sent as Strongylus micrurus. This parasite attacks 

 the bronchial passage and the lungs. Another variety, filaria, attacks 

 the intestines. These two are the root of the greater part of the 

 suffering and loss in our cattle, sheep, pigs and goats. 



The first and most serious parasite from which the Farm suffered 

 so grievously was the Strongylus m., the attack being acutely virulent 

 from July to December, 1902-8. Within that period nearly one 

 hundred animals, old and young, were lost. There were three 

 predisposing causes for the attack — first, opening new land from 

 scrub and bush which had never carried cattle before ; secondly, 

 innutritious and insufficient grass ; and thirdly, impure water. This 

 last, no doubt, was the prime factor in the attack, as this particular 

 parasite finds its breeding abode in contaminated water. Proof of 

 this is abundant, for when the polluted water was shut off and a pure 

 supply given the attack disappeared magically, the health and growth 

 improved at once, without additional cost or attention. 



The rough sketch of the parasite attached shows its form, which 

 is about 1-|— 2 inches long, similar to short pieces of white cotton 

 thread. It has an active eel-like movement when disturbed, but 



