896 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



ierent experiment stations. A report is made on dehorning a number of cattle at 

 the station. In the iirst experiment 15 milch cows were dehorned. The effect of 

 the operation on the yield of milli is shown in tabular form. A loss in the quantity 

 of milk was observed in 11 cows and a gain in 2. The average loss during the 4 days 

 after dehorning was 4.5 per cent. In another experiment 9 cows were dehorned, 

 and the decrease in the quantity of milk in the 4 days after dehorning was much 

 greater, averaging 30.8 per cent. The cows failed to regain the normal flow of milk 

 for about 8 days. The reason for the unusual decrease in the quantity of milk after 

 dehorning in this case was not apparent. 



A description is also given of the details of the operation for preventing the growth 

 of horns in young calves by means of caustic potash. 



Forage poisoning: Ergotism, J. Helmer (Jour. Comp. Med. and Vet. Arch., 22 

 {1901), No. 7, pp. 446-449). — An outbreak of forage poisoning occurred in a herd of 

 38 head of cattle. The pulse became frequent and weak. Tlie animals plunged con- 

 siderably and the legs were stiffened. There was a noticeable vertigo and delirium 

 at intervals. An examination of the surroundings, water supply, and food indicated 

 that the cause of the trouble was feeding fermented and moldy cornstalks. When 

 this food was withheld no further cases of the disease developed. The author inves- 

 tigated 3 cases of ergotism, in which the usual symptoms of this disease were devel- 

 oped. Sam2>les of redtop hay [Agro^tls alba) were subnutted for examination and 

 proved to be infested with species of ergot {Clarirrj>.<! rnkroccphala). 



Parasites in New Zealand live stock (especially sheep), J. A. Gileuth {Vel. 

 -Jour., 53 [1901), Xo. 313, pp. 26-34) ■ — Notes are given on the life history, habits, and 

 injurious effects of G<^slris oris, Strongylus, filaria, S. oris imlmonalis, S. contortus, 

 S. cervicornis, Amphistoma conicum, and species of tape and fruit worms. The most 

 injurious animal parasites of sheep in New Zealand are considered to be the lung 

 and stomach worms. Several predisposing causes of infestation by these worms are 

 enumerated, including stagnant drinking water, swampy undrained lands, excessive 

 rainfall, improper or insufficient forage, acquired or congenital weakness of lambs, 

 and overstocking. The iireventive remedies named are the use of pure water, salt' 

 and iron tonics, and careful attention to dietaries. Several experiments were tried 

 in direct treatment for these worms. While apparently satisfactory results were 

 obtained by intratracheal injections of turpentine in warm milk, equally good if not 

 better results were secured by a complete change of diet to hay, other dry food, and 

 pure water. In the experiments of the author nearly all lambs, including badly 

 infected ones, recovered after being put upon a proper diet, and the author believes 

 "that in infestation by lung and stomach worms the change of diet is more important 

 than any system of treatment. 



Brief notes are also given on botflies of horses. Several proprietary medicines were 

 experimented with. It was found that the bots remained alive for days in saturated 

 .solutions of these medicines. 



Investigations of swine diseases in Arkansas, R. R. Dinwiddie {Arkansa.t 

 Sta. Bui. 67, pp. 25-47).— 1\ is sometimes suggested that the native half-wild hogs of 

 the State might l)e used as a l:)asis for l)reeding a race of hogs more resistant to infec- 

 tious diseases. This idea is discredited by the author. Studies of infectious hog dis- 

 eases have been made for a number of years at the station. The bacillus of hog 

 cholera was isolated from the spleen of an infected hog, and was fed in milk to 

 healthy hogs for the purpose of determining its agency in the production of the 

 ■disease. The experimental hogs became sick within a few days and died soon after- 

 wards of hog cholera. Similar tests with the same results were made with pure 

 cultures of hog-cholera liacillus obtained from other sources. Subcutaneous inocu- 

 lation of hogs with pure cultures gave results which indicate that the disease when 

 thus induced is less acute than when caused by injection of the bacillus into the 

 alimentarv tract. In some cases subcutaneous inoculations did not cause death until 



