Parasites and Parasitic Diseases of Sheep. 39 
weeks, but do not eps to produce eggs in large numbers until about 
a month after they are taken in by the sheep. 
Distribution.—The stomach worm occurs over almost the entire 
world, wherever there are sheep, cattle, or other suitable host ani- 
mals. In the United States it is most plentiful in the South, where 
it is favored by abundance of warmth and moisture, but it is quite 
2 common and serious pest in the Middle West and in low, wet areas 
throughout the entire country. It is present in smaller numbers 
and does less damage in the high, dry, and cool areas of the Rocky 
Mountain States. 
Symptoms and lesions.—The first things noticed about infested 
sheep are dullness and lack of thrift. Diarrhea may be present. 
Later, the more characteristic features of stomach-worm disease be- 
come evident in the form of anemia and edema. The anemia is 
manifested in the paleness of the skin and of the linings of the 
mouth and eyelids, and is due to the impoverishment of the blood 
from the bloodsucking habit of the worms. The edema is mani- 
- fested in a swelling of the pendant portions of the body, especially 
of the portion under the jaw, causing what is called “ bottle jaw.” 
Sheep may become emaciated and finally die, 
If the fourth stomach of a sheep infested with stomach worms is 
opened (the fourth stomach is the one to which the upper end of 
the small intestine attaches), the worms can usually be seen as wrig- 
eling red objects. When the contents of the stomach are poured out 
many of the worms will usually remain attached to the lining of 
the stomach. A little careful washing will reveal the worms if 
they are covered by the stomach contents. Close investigation of 
the lining of the fourth stomach will also reveal the pin-point punc- 
tures caused by the bites of the worms. There are usually a number 
of these for every worm, as the worm has the habit of attaching at 
one point for a time and then moving away and attaching at an- 
other point, leaving the old point of attachment bleeding for some 
time. The carcass of a sheep sericusly infested with stomach worms 
is liable to be emaciated and the meat pale. 
Treatment.—A satisfactory treatment for this disease is the use of 
a 1 per cent solution of copper sulphate in water. A dose which has 
been found satisfactory is 100 mils (about 3 ounces) for yearlings 
and older sheep and half.as much for lambs 3 months old or older. 
To make this solution, dissolve one-fourth pound of copper sulphate 
in 1 pint of boiling water, then add cold water to make a total of 3 
gallons of the solution.. Porcelain or enamel-ware receptacles should 
be used for the solution, as bluestone (copper sulphate) will cor- 
rode metal. This amount will dose 100 adult sheep, allowing 10 
per cent waste. Use only clear blue crystals of copper sulphate. 
