The Department of Agriculture during the War. 275 



In J915-16 there were tliree laboratories — Onderstep'* irt, 

 Grahamstown, and Allerton — and two field stations, one near Yryburg, 

 Cape, and the other in the Orange Free State, the three chief subjects 

 of research being gallaniziekte in cattle, horse-sickness, and wire- 

 worm in sheep. Dr. Heding-er's theory in regard to the cause of gal- 

 lamziekte being abandoned. Sir Arnold Theiler continued investigations 

 into the disease based on his original grass toxin theory. The work 

 in connection with horse-sickness progTessed favourably and reached a 

 stage promising the discovery ot a method conveying a high degree 

 of immunity with small risk of loss ; experiments in ascertaining 

 whether protection could be obtained by dipping wer^ also undertaken 

 at Onderstepoort and batches of horses were dipped at intervals of 

 tliree, five, and seven days in arsenite of soda, to which in some cases 

 was added a film of paraffin oil, fish, oil, etc. The results showed 

 that, although absolute protection could not be given, a satisfactory 

 percentage of horses that had been dipped at short intervals survived 

 natural infection. The life-history of wire-worm in sheep was 

 investigated further and the results published. Attention was given 

 to many other diseases (as detailed m the Annual Report of the 

 Director), all of which are of importance to the country. 



The division was greatly handicapped in 1916-17 by the absence 

 of several members of the staff on active service, and in addition a 

 heavy tax on its time was imposed by a large increase in routine work, 

 diagnosing diseases, manutacturing preventives or remedies, but 

 despite these duties a number of investigations were undertaken which 

 have materially increased our knowledge of several diseases. Experi- 

 ments were continued into the cause of horse-sickness, 2859 

 horses being inoculated, but the practice was not perfected. On the 

 other hand, a safe and simple remedy for wire-worm and tape-worm 

 in sheep and lambs was discovered. Investigations into gallamziekte 

 were continued, but no definite conclusions regarding the character 

 of the disease were arrived at. In co-operation with the Division of 

 Botany it was discovered that jagziekte in horses and geeldikkop in 

 sheep are due to eating particular plants. Many other researches 

 were carried out in regard to diseases in horses, cattle, sheep, and 

 ostriches 



During 1917-18 the inoculation of sheep for blue-tongue, introduced 

 by the division some years previously, was largely practised, and the 

 newly discovered remedy for wire-worm and tape-worm in sheep was 

 also very popular; and there is no doubt that the use of the two was 

 instrumental in saving the lives and improving the condition of 

 millions of sheep. This call for its services is a tribute to the use- 

 fulness of the division and indicates the greater attention now being 

 given to live stock. Experiments in the inoculation of horses against 

 horse-sickness gave better results than anticipated, but an unfortunate 

 outbreak of staggers hampered this work. Research concerning 1am- 

 ziekte in cattle was retarded through various causes. It was not 

 prevalent that year, and laboratory accommodation was limited. The 

 latter difficulty was removed, however, in 1918, when the investiga- 

 tions thus rendered possible led to the conclusion that the disease was 

 due to an intoxication with the poison that originates in putrid 

 substances, and is mostly found in remains of carcasses of animals of 

 any description, and that the primary condition for contraction of 

 lamziekte is an abnormal craving. This abnormal craving is brought 

 about by the condition of the pasture which varies at different times 



