9 



pose; also any other stronp; smelling grease or oil, with or without 

 the additions mentioned. 



To protect the animals from the attacks of the fly, or in other words 

 to deter the fly from placing its eggs on them, it is necessary to smear 

 or spray the oil or grease on the legs, flanks, or other parts of the 

 animal most likely to be approached. The more pungent the sub- 

 stance used the better for the purpose. The applications will have 

 to be kept up during spring and early summer, and hence are very 

 difficult and expensive, and perhaps impracticable except in the case 

 of small herds of valuable cattle, dair}^ animals, and work cattle or 

 oxen. A correspondent writes that he has protected his work oxen 

 from the annoyance of this fly by keeping their heels smeared with 

 kerosene, applied by means of a rag tied to a long stick. He says: 

 "The steers soon learned the benefit and would allow me to apply the 

 oil without kicking." In general, this treatment is probably out of 

 the question for range stock. 



The application of oils is often recommended to kill the grubs in 

 the backs of animals, either smearing the substance liberally over the 

 infested region, or preferably applying it at the mouth of the breath- 

 ing hole of the grub, the location of which is indicated by a hard 

 swelling and a slight exudation of pus. The grubs are killed by the 

 closing with the oil of the pores through which they breathe and which 

 penetrate nearly to the end of the hole in the skin. One or two appli- 

 cations during the winter are said to be sufficient. The grubs may 

 be killed also by placing a small quantity of mercurial ointment in the 

 hole, or a few drops of spirits of turpentine, carbolic acid, or kerosene, 

 and further by piercing them with some sharp instrument. 



There is one objection to this method of killing the grubs, viz, that 

 the dead grub remains beneath the skin of the animal and may cause 

 an abscess or suppuration by its subsequent decay. These methods 

 of treatment, however, have been long recommended both in this 

 country and Europe, and no bad results have been reported. 



Wherever it is practicable, however, the grub should be entirely 

 removed, and this may be eft'ected by applying pressure on either side 

 of the swelling indicating the presence of the grub, forcing the latter 

 out. Dr. D. E. Salmon reports that the grubs may be very success- 

 fully removed by means of small tweezers, applying a slight pressure 

 with the fingers to cause the grub to slightly protrude, then drawing 

 it fully out with the tweezers. 



The benefit following the removal of the grubs is immediate, and 

 will repay considerable trouble in its accomplishment. 



If by such winter treatment the majority of the larvte can be killed 

 or removed from the backs of the cattle, this in itself will furnish con- 

 siderable protection for range cattle if it be generally adopted. This 



