DISEASES OF SHEEP. 



mon crude petroleum which are repulsive and fatal to the fly and 

 maggot. When the fly "strikes" a sheep it will often wander 

 away, and unless found and treated will be literally eaten up. 

 Watch the ewes at weaning time for this pest as the udder may 

 become caked, and the fly will strike. 



THE SHEEP LOUSE-TRICHODECTES 

 SPHAEROCEPHALUS. 



The mere exposure of sheep to any disturbing influence is 

 disastrous. Thus the louse, by which the sheep is annoyed, is 

 sufficiently worth notice in this regard to cause the shepherd 

 to tixKe the due precautions to secure the sheep from the annoy- 

 ance of it. 



The red-headed Sheep Louse (Frichodectes Sphaerocephalus) 

 was almost unknown in this country until recent years. It is now 



FIG. 31. 

 Eggs on Wool Fibers. 



FIG. 32. 

 Sheep Louise; Highly Magnified. 



becoming very abundant in some sections, and the damage it does 

 to young lambs and sheep is of sufficient importance to engage 

 the attention of every flockmaster. 



The true sheep louse rarely exceeds one-twenty-fifth of an 

 inch in length. The female is slightly longer and larger than the 

 male. Its head occupies about one-fourth its length and is of a 

 pale reddish color. The adults lay their eggs at the base of the 

 wool fibers and a glutinous substance sticks them there. The lice 

 are generally found on the bare spots between the legs and body, 

 just under the shoulder. In young lambs and open-wool sheep 

 they may frequently be found in large numbers on the back of 

 the neck. 



The injury wrought by these parasites is very considerable. 

 They live on the blood of the host, and in biting through the skin 

 they cause an intense itching sensation and leave a wound. They 

 give great discomfort to the sheep and the wool becomes gnarly 

 and worthless wherever these pests attack the skin. 



In New Zealand dipping for these parasites has been made 

 compulsory by the government. Sheep lice rarely ever attack 

 the fine wool or Merino sheep. One dipping in any standard 

 dip. will be sufficient to not only kill the live lice, but also destroy 

 all the eggs of these parasites. 



