lo Feb., 1910.1 Ansicers to Correspondents. 125 



Answer — Use plenty of antise[)tics anil disinfectants in the styes, and over- 

 come the dust by flooring. Wash and keep the nostrils clean, and in the early 

 stages before they block up blow a small ([uantity of the following jiowder up 

 the nose daily : — Iodoform, i part ; boracic acid, 4 parts. 



Founder. — C.L.S. inquires as to treatment for founder following foaling. 

 He refers to a severe case in his district and states that, although the mare is 

 likely to live, it is very probable that she will lose both front hoofs, as suppuration 

 between hair and hoof is setting in. 



Answer. — The same method of treatment is adopted in all cases of founder — 

 standing in cold water or applying cold water bandages to allay the inflammation 

 and administering 2 drams of nitrate of potash in every bucket of drinking water. 

 When following foaling, the additional ])recaution of syringing the vagina daily 

 with an antiseptic is advisable. In the case mentioned, as the mare has become 

 so bad, cleanliness must be attended to, keeping her on a soft clean bed. Should 

 the hoofs drop off^, it will perhaps be the best termination in this case, as temporary 

 horn will form and in time new ones grow, and she will be little the worse. 



Bt.ixdxess tx Shkep. — A.A.B. states that blindness in sheep is prevalent in 

 his district. In one flock of 100 sheep fuUv 50 are affected; the eyes turn white. 



.\nswer. — This may be a specific disease, but at the present season grass 

 seeds in the eye, or the irritation of thistle jjricks, must not be lost sight of as a 

 cause. Make a careful search and remove, if present, and use the following lotion 

 twice a day, dropping a few drops into each ej-e : — Sulphate of zinc, 2 grains; 

 tincture of opium, i dram; water, 4 ounces. 



Mammiti.s, — D.E.F. writes : — " My cow had milk fever and was cured by 

 the injection of air into the udder. Now one of the teats does not work properly. 

 There seems to be a lump in it. The milk splashes up when it is milked into 

 the bucket. Is there anytlung I can do to remedy the defect r-""' 



Answer. — A mild mammitis has evidenth- supervened on the air treatment, 

 and the splashing referred to is probably due to clots which are forming arwi then 

 being forced through the teat. The milk should not be used, and the udder 

 should be fomented twice a da\' for about lialf an hour and then well massaged 

 with camphorated oil. 



Injury to Bull. — B.S. states that a valuable young Ayrshire bull of his was 

 injured five weeks ago through being driven and yarded with a mob of strange 

 bullocks, presumably by the latter jumping on him. The symptoms are :- — 

 Stiffness and humped back (especially after lying down), tail stiff and powerless, 

 apparently in pain when about to pass urine, which is discoloured. 



Answer. — The bull has apparently received internal injuries, probably affect- 

 ing the kidneys through sprain of the imderloin muscles. Place him in a convenient 

 small enclosure by himself and a])ply a i)laster to the loins. This should be done 

 by first clipping the hair for a space of 15 inches long and 12 inches wide over the 

 loins and croup. Then prepare the plaster by cutting a piece of calico to 

 correspond to the clipped ])atch and smearing it with a molten mixture of 2 parts 

 of pitch to I of beeswax. When at the right heat put the plaster on the loins, 

 pitch side to skin, and smear the whole area over again outside. To spread the 

 pitch evenly, a hot shovel or flat piece of iron should be held near the parts and 

 the plaster made to stick firmly by pressing it against the skin with a flat stick 

 at the same time. Give in a damped feed, night and morning, a tablespoonful of 

 Epsom salts with one teaspoonful of saltjietre. 



Pl.^nts for Identification. — W.T.I)., R.F., and W.M. fiuwaid specimens for 

 identification. 



.4H.s/ce>-. — W.T.I). — Bnylsiu /ati/o/ix, Sibth. and Sni., Coninn)n Bartsia. It is an 

 introduced plant common in pa.stures in nian\' parts of this State, often sent in as a 

 supposed poison plant. It does not apjjear to have any definite poisonous properties, 

 but might cause obstruction or irritation of the alimentary canal if eaten in large 

 quantities. The plant is sporadic, being more aliundant in some seasons than in 

 others. It was originally introduced with impure agricultural seed, but the small 

 seeds are now spread in pastures by the wind. Cultivation, and the avoidance of over- 

 stocking help to keep it down, as well as resting the pasture in spring, with an early 

 mowing before the plant seeds. Since its roots are often parasitic on grass roots, its 

 presence in pastures is additionally objectionable. Stock rarely touch it. 



Aiiswet. — R.F. (1) Bartsia /a^/o//a, Sibth and Sm., Common Bartsia (see above). 

 (2) TrifoUum smhterraiieum, L., Subterranean Clover. An introduction from the 

 Mediterranean regions. Of some use as a pasture plant ; it also aids in suppressing 

 annual weeds. (3) Eroduim mosrhatnm. L'Herit, Musk Erodium or Crane's-bill. An 

 introduction from Europe. Of slight use as a pasture plant, more especially when 

 young, but, on the whole, to be regarded as a weed. 



