BOT-FLIES. 219 



8 to 40 grammes in an aromatic infusion; or even benzine. 

 An application of such substances may have good results, 

 but an easy cure should not be expected. In fact Neumann 

 arrived at this conclusion: "that agents endowed with great 

 energy, and which arrive in the stomach without undergoing 

 any modification, act upon that viscus, but scarcely produce 

 any effect upon the larvae. No medication can therefore be 

 recommended for their destruction and expulsion." It is a 

 very fortunate fact that thej' leave themselves without any 

 medication, and that it is unnecessary to apply remedies 

 unless the health of the animal is seriously endangered. If 

 this should happen mucilaginous fluids should be given to 

 allay the irritation, and the patient should be well fed to 

 make up for the loss of nutriment caused by the bots. In 

 the case of the JurmorrholdaUs larvae in the rectal mucous 

 membrane and the margin of the anus, they should be re- 

 moved by hand, or by a weak emulsion of kerosene or ben- 

 zine. 



Prevention is the only true method v^e have to combat 

 the various species of bots, and this is not a very difficult 

 one. The eggs are readily seen, and should be removed as 

 soon as seen. This seems to be simple, but it requires more 

 labor than most people imagine. To simply use a brush, or 

 a comb, is not sufficient, since they are so thoroughly well 

 attached to the hair that a more heroic treatment has to be 

 resorted to. The w^riter has found it best to paint the eggs 

 with pure kerosene, and to do so every day, or whenever the 

 horse has been out-doors. This oil will kill the eggs, which 

 soon collapse and gradually disappear. With a little care 

 the horse can be kept free of bots, which, even if they should 

 be entirely harmless, are not a necessity to its well-being. 



THE SHEEP GAD-FLY. 



( (Estims ovis Linn.), 



This insect is a well-known parasite of the sheep and ac- 

 cording to some authors, of the goat. It is the parent of the 

 "Grub in the Head" and of the "False gid." As seen in the 

 illustrations (figs. 180 and 181) it is a small fly, very rapid 

 in all its actions, and one which when flying, is not readily 



