SCREW-WOBMS AND OTHER MAGGOTS. 13 



the wound out with water containing 5 per cent carbolic acid, and 

 apply pine tar to act as a repellent for flies. Tannic acid dusted over 

 the wound will check bleedino- and make it less attractive to flies. 

 Wlien a wound is severe it is best to call in a competent veterinarian, 

 especially if the infested animal is a valuable one. Turpentine, kero- 

 sene, gasoline, cobalt solution, and ether have been used with greater 

 or less success. The former extensive use of calomel in wounds is 

 now practically discontinued. 



When it is necessary to perform any surgical operation during tlie 

 fly season it is best always to apply some fiy repellent. Tannic acid 

 followed by an application of pine tar or some of the cresol dips will 

 be found of value for this purpose. 



OTHER FLIES INFESTING WOUNDS, INCLUDING THE SHEEP 

 WOOL-MAGGOTS. 



The screw-worm fly^ is the only species in this country the lai-vro 

 of which penetrate the sound tissues of living animals. Four or 

 five other kinds of flies have been bred from maggots taken from 

 wounds of different types and also from soiled wool on sheep. AYith 

 all of these flies there seems to be less tendency to attack fresh 

 wounds, the attraction for them increasing as the wound becomes 

 foul and bad odors develop. 



INJURY AND LOSSES DUE TO MAGGOTS. 



The injury produced by various species of fl}- larvae other than the 

 screw-worm ma}' be divided into two classes; (1) those which attack 

 wounds and (2) those which infest the wool of sheep, commonly 

 spoken of as wool-maggots. The same insects may be concerned in 

 both of these. The first type of infestation usually is to be found 

 in large wounds or old sores. Probably the most common place of 

 attack is in the heads of animals following dehorning, and any old 

 festering sore may become infested. When maggots become estab- 

 lished after dehorning, the healing process usually is greatl}' delayed, 

 but it is not usual for animals to die, especially if they receive some 

 attention. The loss due to the wool-maggot is of considerable im- 

 portance. While it probabl}^ is greatest in certain sections of the 

 Southwest, this class of injury is not uncommon in the Central States 

 and California. One of the most serious problems with which the 

 sheep raiser in Australia has to deal is very similar to this one, 

 although in that region the number of different species of maggots 

 attacking the wool of sheep is much greater and the infestation of 



1 Ox warbles cut through the unbroken skin, but the injury produced by them is 

 entirely different from that discussed here. 



