320 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION D. 



So far as can be ascertained no cattle station in Queensland is 

 entirely free of the parasite, though, naturally, some are more 

 affected than others. From the experience of one of us (J.A.G.) we 

 estimate that they may be found in at least 20 per cent, of the cattle 

 on what may be teimed the " cleanest " stations — possibly 50 per 

 cent, on complete examination would be more approximate. For 

 example, in one lot from a notoriously " clean " station in south- 

 western Queensland, 10 per cent, on very careful examination by 

 manipulation, using incision only when certain or doubtful were 

 found to be affected, but later on when the briskets of a number 

 were partially dissected another 25 per cent, were found to harbour 

 the nodules. Again, in two mobs from stations widely apart in 

 north-western Queensland their presence could be detected in 60 

 per cent, by observation without any man'pulation ; more careful 

 examination by dissection showed that every one of these animals 

 contained from one nodule upwards. 



All the evidence, therefore, available points strongly to a more 

 general infection of herds the further north the cattle are bred and 

 pastured. No information, however, points in the direction of soil, 

 climate, rainfall or management being contributory to the preva- 

 lence. Examination of records at freezing works, which were kindly 

 permitted, entirely negatives any such supposition. Personal 

 examination of cattle from different districts of the rich low-lying 

 well-watered coastal country in the north, with heavy annual rain- 

 fall, showed them no more and no less affected than cattle from the 

 dry western downs, and those from the high and cold basalt country. 

 Further, close herding does not seem to have any effect ; the pro- 

 portion affected may be quite as great (often much greater) where 

 the number of cattle per square mile is under a dozen, as where one 

 to every two or three acres is pastured. 



Age Incidence. 



The nodules may be found in cattle of almost any age. 

 Inspector Miller, of the Bowen Freezing Works, who has made a 

 very complete examination by definite incisions of thousands of 

 carcases, has found as large a percentage of 2 and 3-years old 

 bullocks affected, and practically with as many nodules per indi- 

 vidual average as old cows. 



The experience of J.A.G. supported this, no appreciable differ- 

 ence being found in the number of nodules present on the average in 

 a hundred old cows from the number present in 3 and 4-years old 

 bullocks, many from the same station as the cows. Further, on 

 different stations he had an opportunity of thoroughly examining 

 both ante and post-mortem animals of various ages, with the 

 following results : — 



First Station. — Two Jersey cows, one 3 years old and one 4 

 years old. Manipulation in subcutaneous tissues behind the point 

 of the shoulder while alive detected nodules on each side of both 

 animals. Two old cows, one 14 years old, the other 17 years old, 



