Dochmiasis of Cattle. 485 



Treatment. The usual vermifuges are employed (see page 

 471) ; kamala 3-8.0 gm. ; Sequens brought about complete recov- 

 ery in one case after administering 8 gm. ; Megnin recommends 

 the addition of 0.3-0.5 calomel and 0.005-0.01 gin. arsenic ; extr. 

 filicis maris (same doses), and arsenic (0.005-0.01 gm.). The 

 patients must be nourished abundantly with milk, meat and eggs ; 

 iron preparations are indicated to counteract the anemia. The 

 treatment is usually not successful, because patients remaining 

 among an infected pack continually reinfect themselves with the 

 dochmius larvae (Lafon & Martin). 



Prophylaxis. This consists in scrupulous cleanliness. Ken- 

 nel and food vessels must be cleansed daily, so that the ova can- 

 not get into the food or drinking water. The latter must be fresh 

 and supplied so abundantly that the animals will not be tempted 

 to drink dirty or contaminated water. Sick dogs must be sep- 

 arated from the healthy ones and the feces of the former must 

 be destroyed. 



Literature. Cuille, Kev. vet., 1908, 6.— Lafon & Martin, Eev. vet., 1908, 69.— 

 Lignieres, Eec, 1903, 725.— V. Eatz, A. f. Tk., 1893, XIX, 433.— Sequens, Vet., 1893, 

 23.— Thiroux or Teppaz, Eev. gen., 1907, IX, 345. 



(h) Dochmiasis of Cattle. 



Occurrence. Disease of cattle due to dochmius infection is 

 generally rare ; it has, however, been seen by Dawson in South- 

 ern Texas, and generally in Florida, where it is known under 

 the name of "salt sick." Daschanek saw an enzootic of doch- 

 miasis in Bohemia, among calves 5 to 12 months old. 



Etiology. The disease is caused by Dochimus radiatus (Un- 

 cinaria radiata, Anchylostomum radiatum), a worm 7.5 cms. long 

 (according to Duschanek only 1.5-2.8 cm. long) ; its cephalic eiid 

 is curved like a hook. The ova contained in the feces of old, in- 

 fected animals soon develop an embryo, under favorable condi- 

 tions after 24 hours ; in water or moist soil the latter undergoes 

 several castings and is able to develop further in the intestinal 

 canal of a proper host after 4 to 6 weeks (Stiles). 



Natural infection occurs on pastures, especially where there 

 is much stagnant water, or in the barn. Duschanek saw an en- 

 zootic of the disease in a barn after the animals had been drink- 

 ing from a small brook which had become quite low in conse- 

 quence of prolonged dry season. 



Predisposing causes are poor pastures, unfavorable weath- 

 er, difficult parturition, early weaning of calves, digestive dis- 

 turbances. 



Anatomical Changes. Aside from the signs of profound 

 anemia, hydremia and cachexia, one observes catarrhal infiam- 



