RURAL VETERINARY SECRETS 223 



INTERNAL PARASITES (Bots) 



BOTS are the larvae of gad-tlies, which lay their orange-colored 

 eggs on the legs and between the jaws of horses. The eggs are licked 

 olif or fall into the feed and are thus swallowed by the horse, where 

 they are hatched out in the stomach, where the larvae (bot) will stay 

 for months, later being passed out in the dung to be hatched out as the 

 gad-fly, so well known to horsemen and so much dreaded by their 

 charges. It is doubtful if any horses in this country are free from bots, 

 post-mortems invariably showing them to be present in varying num- 

 bers. The preventive treatment is to destroy the eggs. A cloth damp- 

 ened with kerosene will tend to remove them. The effect of bots de- 

 pends on the number present; if few, no ill effects are noticed; but if 

 many, the horse is unthrifty, suffers from indigestion and may die 

 from their effects on the stomach walls. They are fastened on the 

 stomach walls very firmly and it is doubtful whether medicines have 

 much effect. Turpentine, two ounces in one and one-half pints of new 

 milk three mornings in succession, given on an empty stomach, will 

 probably be as effectual as any drug. Copperas powders, owing to their 

 tonic and astringent effect on the mucous membranes, will also be bene- 

 ficial ; tartar emetic, two drams in food daily for two weeks might be 

 used in place of the drench. 



PIN WORMS 



PIN WORMS are small, thin, whip-like worms, one to one and 

 one-half inches long, found in the posterior bowel, (rectum). While 

 producing little disturbance of the general health, they manifest them- 

 selves as a rule by a yellow, waxy matter around the anus and by rub- 

 bing of the tail and hind parts. The worms may also be found in or 

 passed with the excrement. The treatment is mainly local, by means 

 of injections. First give an injection to clean out the bowel, and follow 

 it with one of salt and water, one ounce of salt to one-half gallon of 

 water; or a decoction of quassia chips may be used. If the injections 

 fail to remove them, internal treatment will be needed. 



