48 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



examiuation of the intestinal walls, it was broken and pus was still 

 protruding tlirougli the opening, the circumference was much injected, 

 much more than in the case of a nodule in its early stage after the 

 invasion of the larvae. Microscopical examination of pus had shown 

 the presence of cocci, which could be obtained in pure culture, and 

 they probably were the cause of the infection. Cocci may be found 

 at any time and in any sheep, but so long as they are within the 

 intestines they are hanuless and only become so when outside their 

 proper place. Since, however, the septic infection has been noted in 

 some batches of sheep very frequently and even alarmingly, less so in 

 others and not at all in the majority of sheep that show nodules, one 

 is forced to conclude that they represent a specific infection, which is 

 present on some farms and not on others. The infection is quite an 

 accidental one, the bacteria find their way into the nodules, perhaps 

 at the time the larva has bored its hole to enter the mucosa or sub- 

 sequently after it has left it. It then produces a local inflammation, 

 so to say, a pimple, that ends as an abscess, penetrating either the 

 inner or outer surface of the intestines, in which latter case it spreads 

 into the peritoneal cavity and from there into the other serous cavities. 



Septic infection has been found in sheep of all ages, but more 

 frequently in adults than in lambs, and in sheep of all conditions. 



Nodular worm infection is accordingly a very serious trouble and 

 not affecting lambs alone, although in these the disease is most strik- 

 ing. So far three pathological conditions, that at first sight appear 

 to have no connection with each other, may be distinguished, viz. : 

 (1) The parasitic inflammation of intestines in lambs with the sequel 

 of anaemia and cachexia ; (2) the invagination of the ileum ; (3") thf 

 septic infection of the serous cavities. 



We must make it clear that we have no cure for any of these. 

 Experience has shown that the worms are present in sheep regularly 

 dosed with the wireworm remedy, the explanation simply is that the 

 arsenic or sulphate of copper does not reach the place where the worms 

 are situated. Experiments undertaken by Dr. Green of this Division, 

 in connection with the absorption of arsenic, distinctly show that this 

 drug is absorbed in the first part of the intestines and only traces 

 reach the large intestines, but not sufficient to kill the worms. A 

 series of other drugs have been tried, all so far with equally unsatis- 

 factory results. The experiments, however, will be continued. In 

 Knopziekte a surgical operation might be thought of, but its applica- 

 tion is out of the question. The septic infection cannot be diagnosed 

 with certainty and, a priori, treatment appears hopeless and 

 impractical. Under such conditions and for general scientific reasons 

 prevention must be thought of. In order to suggest such measures the 

 life-history of the responsible worm must be known when deductions 

 for a possible interference can be made, which must aim at preventing 

 the entry of the worm into the sheep. 



The Life-history of the Nodular Worm. 



The adult worms are found, as already stated, attached to the 

 surface of the mucous membrane in the places mentioned. Male and 

 female worms can be recognized, the latter being slightly larger than 

 the former. The period the worm in the adult stage remains in 

 the intestines has not been determined yet, but to judge from 

 sheep that came on the post-mortem table at Ondersfcepoort which 



