DISEASES OF CATTLE 363 



are very difficult to kill, and remedies strong enough for this pur- 

 pose are liable to injure the cattle, but the parasites may be ex- 

 pelled by pouring into the ear noninjurious substances such as cot- 

 ton-seed oil, linseed oil, 20 per cent emulsion of crude petroleum, 

 or almost any stock dip diluted as for use in dipping. 



BLOODSUCKERS OR LEECHES. 



These worms are sometimes taken up by cattle when drink- 

 ing from ponds. They may attach themselves to the inner sur- 

 face of the mouth or nose, and sometimes reach the upper part of 

 the windpipe or of the gullet. Bleeding at the mouth or nose may 

 be noticed, the membranes where the leech is attached are liable to 

 be swollen and congested, and as a result of the loss of blood a 

 condition of anemia may result. 



Treatment for Bloodsuckers. If the worm can be reached it 

 may be destroyed by cutting it in two with a pair of scissors, or it 

 may be removed with forceps or with the fingers after wrapping a 

 towel around the hand so that the worm can be held without slip- 

 ping. Fumigation with tobacco or tar may cause the worm to 

 release its hold if it can not be removed by other means. Ponds 

 may be rid of infestation with bloodsuckers by the introduction of 

 eels. 



PARASITES OF THE STOMACH. 



The stomach of cattle consists of four compartments, of which 

 the first and fourth are most likely to be the seat of parasitic in- 

 festation. The first stomach, or paunch, contains large numbers 

 of minute parasites known as protozoa, which are too small to be 

 seen with the naked eye. These small organisms apparently are 

 in no way injurious. A species of fluke (Paramphistomum cervi) 

 is occasionally found in North American cattle, especially grass- 

 fed cattle, attached to the inner surface of the first stomach. This 

 worm is about one-half inch long, and somewhat conical in shape, 

 hence the name, conical fluke, by which it is sometimes known. 

 Although this parasite has been accused of producing serious effects, 

 it is generally considered harmless. Several species of roundworms 

 may occur in the fourth stomach. Two of these are of special im- 

 portance. 



THE TWISTED STOMACH WORM (HAEMONCHUS CONTORTUS). 



The twisted stomach worm (Hscmonchus contortus) is some- 

 times found in enormous numbers in the fourth stomach of cattle. 

 Sheep, goats, and other ruminants may also be infested with it. 

 Among the symptoms caused by this parasite may be mentioned 

 anemia, loss of flesh, general weakness, dullness, capricious appe- 

 tite, excessive thirst, and diarrhea. The anemic condition is seen 

 in the paleness of the skin and mucous membranes of the mouth 

 and eye, and in the watery swellings which often develop under the 

 lower jaw (poverty jaw). If the fourth stomach of a dead animal 

 be cut open and the contents carefully examined, the parasites, 

 which are from one-half inch to 1*4 inches in length and about as 

 thick as an ordinary pin, may be seen, if present in any consider- 

 able number, actively wriggling about like little snakes. 



