400 MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING OF SHEEP 



affected animals free from attack. The presence of the 

 worms in the lambs indicates that they are continually 

 passing through indirectly from sheep to sheep. Of 

 course, it will help to prevent invasion if the lambs are 

 kept away from pastures in which the old sheep graze and 

 from drinking in pools of water. 



For the hair lung worm no very effective treatment has 

 been discovered. For the thread lung worm tracheal in- 

 jections have been found partially effective, but they 

 should be administered only by a skilled veterinarian. 

 Fumigation may render some aid, but may not be prac- 

 ticable in all instances, from want of a suitable place in 

 which to fumigate. At the best it cannot be said that it 

 is completely effective. It should be done in a building 

 nearly airtight. Sulphur burned slowly is the best sub- 

 stance for such fumigating. The treatment should be 

 given daily for a week, when it is discontinued for two 

 weeks, and repeated again daily for several days. The 

 attendants must guard against suffocation, which they 

 may readily do by watching the movements of the sheep 

 through a window. The worms are thus benumbed and 

 in the coughing that follows many will be ejected. 



Nodular disease (Oesophagostoma columhianum), fre- 

 quently called nodule disease, is characterized by tumors 

 present in the intestines. It is caused by a nematode or 

 round worm, which is usually found in considerable num- 

 bers in the large intestine. It may also be found in the 

 tumors and these may extend the entire length of the 

 intestine. It is now to be reckoned with in many flocks, 

 but to a greater extent probably east from the Mississippi 

 River, than west from the same. It is the source of very 

 considerable loss. The harm resulting is in proportion 

 to the number of the parasites. 



The indications of the presence of nodular disease are 

 not greatly different from those that indicate the pres- 

 ence of stomach worms (see page 391). These include 

 bloodless lips, dry wool, emaciation, and, in the more 



