138 DESTRUCTIVE INSECTS OF VICTORIA: 



It has been observed that horses, which looked sickly, 

 were found upon dissection to be quite free from Bots ; 

 while, on the other hand, healthy-looking horses were 

 known to be affected ; hence we have good grounds for 

 supposing that, in Victoria at least and leaving out 

 the fact that Bot in its perfect state terrifies horses to 

 such an extent as to render them sometimes unmanage- 

 able the Bot Fly is not quite so formidable a pest as is 

 generally supposed. 



When a valuable horse is supposed to be affected, a 

 veterinary surgeon should, if possible, be at once con- 

 sulted (there being quacks in the veterinary line as 

 well as in other branches of medicine). It is not the 

 intention here to suggest remedies ; but, as a preventive, 

 a good plan is to watch your horse carefully, and an 

 occasional painting of the susceptible parts with kerosene 

 will often act as a deterrent by preventing the female 

 Bot Fly from depositing her eggs upon the animal. 



In the case of unbroken horses, these could be driven 

 into a "crush," and then treated as above described. 



Following upon an article written by myself, Mr. 

 Weir, Chief Inspector of Stock for Victoria, has made 

 the following observations as to prevention and treatment 

 of horses affected with the larvae of the Bot Fly : "The 

 mortality from the presence of the grubs of the Bot Fly 

 in the stomach of the horse is happily almost nil in this 

 State. Odd deaths certainly do occur ; but, when the 

 animals are well nourished, losses are very rare. Those 

 whose business it is to destroy many horses annually, 

 and others who have had special opportunities for 

 observation, are practically unanimous in expressing 

 the opinion that but little harm is done by the Bots to 

 well-cared-for horses. It is often noticed, after death, 

 that animals in which the presence of the grubs is not 

 suspected may have large numbers present, while others 

 again, considered as probably affected, may prove quite 

 free. The Bot Fly has many natural enemies (I am not 

 so sure about this C.F. ) , which suffice to keep it in check 



