256 JOURNAL OP THE TRINIDAD 



Such is the course of sulphur taken in the food by man, and 

 there is every reason to believe that a similar course is followed 

 in the larger animals. The effect of a constant small exhalation 

 of sulphuretted hydrogen from the animal's skin seems to be 

 distasteful to the ticks, for the practice of mixing small 

 quantities of sulphur with the food, sa} r an ounce or two for 

 each animal per week, seems to have the much desired effect of 

 keeping them free from ticks in regions infested by these 

 parasites. 



The addition of the sulphur to the food needs a little 

 management. It may be done by scattering it in the form of a 

 powder over the chopped food. Probably, where the cattle 

 receive only grass, the addition of a small quantity of molasses 

 will cover it sufficiently for them to be eager to take it. 



But the best methods appear to be supplying some kind of 

 " lick, " usually with a preponderance of salt. The avidity 

 with which cattle seek out salt left about is well known, and its 

 benefical action upon the nutrition of the animals need not be 

 insisted upon here. 



The following lick is quoted from Australia. — 214 K>s. of 

 salt, 14ft>s. of sulphate of iron, 4 lbs of sulphur and 2 lbs of ginger. 

 But any form would probably be efficient which contained a fair 

 quantity of salt and sulphur. 



In conclusion, a summary of the relations between cattle 

 and ticks, and the best means of freeing them from these parasites, 

 as discussed in these articles, may be of use. 



(1.) The ticks in the Leeward Islands are very imper- 

 fectly studied, only two species having, been 

 named from Antigua. There are probably other 

 kinds, and efforts should be made to determine 

 these. 



(2.) The influence of ticks upon cattle is disastrous, 

 both from the direct abstraction of blood and 

 the irritation and pain caused to the animal. 

 There are at any rate some cases where ticks are 

 connected with the spread of deadly diseases. 

 This subject is only in its infancy, it is to be 

 feared that continued study will reveal other 

 instances. 



(3.) It is principal]} 7 the poor cattle that are attacked, 

 partly because of their poverty itself, probably 

 also because a fat or sleek condition of skin is 

 distasteful to the parasites. All means should 

 be adopted to get the animals as well nourished 

 as possible. 



