KUMINANT1A 347 



each being several fathoms in length. The fourth set was made 

 up of white threadworms, individually measuring two inches in 

 length. These occupied the bronchial tubes, and where charac- 

 terised by my informant as " the most deadly of all/' Without 

 the aid of specimens I at once recognised these brief diagnostic 

 characters as severally referring to Strongylus contortus, Dock- 

 mius hypostomus, Tania expansa, and Strongylus filaria. 



What the inquirer desired at my hands was " full informa- 

 tion respecting the general principles to be carried out in view 

 of the prevention of this parasitic disease, regard being had to 

 the difficulty of finding any food but pasture, to the number of 

 animals to be treated, and to the not unfavorable circumstance 

 that the run is divided by fencing to a great extent." I was 

 also requested to explain the best modes of treatment, being at 

 the same time informed that turpentine drenchings had already 

 been employed with only "partially effective" results. I was 

 also expected to give numerous and varied formulae, to be tried 

 in succession, supposing the first should fail. Of course, it should 

 have been known that I neither prescribe medicines nor accept 

 fees in respect of animal patients; but, as in this instance 

 my opinion was permitted to assume the form of a " written 

 scientific report," I was pleased to have an opportunity of com- 

 menting freely and fully on the significance of the facts sub- 

 mitted. My advice took the form of a long report, which might 

 here be usefully given in extenso were it not somewhat of the 

 nature of a private and privileged communication. I have no 

 doubt that the stockowner would be pleased that I should 

 utilise his remarkable " case " for the benefit of agriculturists 

 and others ; but it is for him to publish the ( ' opinion " as it 

 stands, should he think fit to do so. 



Practical men, on reading the few foregoing particulars, will 

 perceive that one of the principal obstacles to success in cases 

 of this kind lies in the circumstance that artificial food can only 

 be procured with difficulty. Where the source of the disease 

 is associated with the pasture- supply, any treatment, however 

 effectual for a time, can only be followed by partially satis- 

 factory results. 



The destructive powers of any one of the above-mentioned 

 parasites being sufficient to produce a fatal lamb- disease, it is 

 clear that when two or more of these particular species attack 

 their victim in considerable numbers, the ovine-bearer has 

 little chance of recovery. The intestinal strongyles, by means 



