432 BLOOD DISEASES. 



of the ground not only insures better crops, but renders that 

 ground unfavourable to ticks and other parasites, as proved in 

 Scotland by liming and otherwise improving tick-infested 

 pastures. In addition to the destruction of all guinea-grass 

 stubble, decaying and dead vegetations of all description should, 

 when possible, be burnt, and the ashes spread over the land. 

 During my travels in Jamaica I have witnessed many thousand 

 tons of all kinds of vegetable matter allowed to remain on the 

 ground, harbouring vermin and preventing the growth of useful 

 materials ; whereas, by collecting such refuse into heaps and 

 burning, not only would the harljour for vermin be destroyed, 

 but the ashes so obtained would to some extent, by improving 

 the land, compensate for the trouble and outlay. 



With regard to the destruction of the Ticks themselves. — A 

 united effort must be made to remove the cause of the disease, 

 by diminishing, or, if possiljle, wholly destroying the ticks ; and 

 for the purpose of killing them on their host I have, after due 

 consideration as to the cost, and knowing full well that the profit 

 on an £8 to £10 four-year bullock will not allow mucli expendi- 

 ture of money, to recommend the following treatment ; but, if 

 money be not spent and an earnest and united effort be not 

 made, I cannot speak as to the future consequences. 



For the destruction of the ticks on the cattle I recommend 

 the following as the cheapest and most reliable dressing : — to 

 every 4 gallons of linseed oil add 1 gallon of tar and 1 lb. of 

 resin. The tar and resin to be melted with a little of the oil 

 before being added to the bulk, and applied to all parts of 

 the tick-infested skin ; if one dressing be not sufficient, a second 

 should be applied in a few days. All large ticks might be re- 

 moved by being picked off and carefully destroyed, not thrown 

 upon the ground and stamped upon, but burnt or smothered in 

 tar. Oil destroys the tick by suffocating it, and any oil will do 

 this, but boiled linseed oil is a cheap oil, and being a " drying 

 oil," will remain longer on the surface of the body than a non- 

 drying oil. Jeyes' Fluid and Sheep "Wash have proved of service 

 in destroying the ticks, but the mixture of linseed oil, &c. will 

 answer the same purpose and be more permanent in its effects. 



In America and Australia cattle dipping is now resorted to, 

 and where the cost can be afforded it should be done in Jamaica, 

 for after all it must be confessed that to see the cattle attendants 

 dress any animal is but a sorry sight. If the dressing is not 



