DISEASES OF SHEEP 



443 



goats, and cattle for the twisted wireworm {Strongylus contortus) 

 has been obtained with a 1 per cent solution of coal-tar creo- 

 sote. The medicine is easily prepared and inexpensive.. It may 

 be purchased of a druggist in small quantities of 1 ounce, or in 

 pound bottles. One ounce is sufficient for about 20 adult sheep, 

 and the cost of the treatment is less than one-half a cent per head. 

 If creosote is called for at the drug store, beechwood creosote 

 will be usually dispensed. This is more expensive than the coal- 

 tar creosote and not so satisfactory in expelling worms. 



A 1 per cent solution of coal-tar creosote is made as follows : — 



Coal-tar creosote .... 1 ounce 



Water 99 ounces 



99 ounces = 6 pints and 3 ounces 



Twisted wireworms taken directly from the stomach of sheep 

 or cattle die in one-half to one and a half minutes when immersed 

 in this solution. 



If, in drenching, this liquid enters the lungs, the animal may 

 succumb in a few minutes. If the dosing is performed carefully, 

 as much as 6f ounces may be given to a full-grown sheep with- 

 out fatal results. In some cases, however, the animal shows ill 

 effects, from which it usually recovers within half an hour. Six 

 ounces were given to a number of sheep without the slightest ill 

 effects. The following table gives the doses of the 1 per cent 

 mixture which were used in about 400 cases without ill effects : — 



Lambs 4 to 12 months old . 

 Yearling sheep and above . 

 Calves 3 to 8 months old 



Yearling steers 



Two-year-old cattle and over 



2 to 4 ounces (about 60 to 120 c.o.) 



3 to 5 ounces (about 90 to 160 c.c.) 

 5 to 10 ounces (about 150 to 300 c.c.) 

 1 pint (about 480 c.c.) 



1 quart (about 960 c.c.) 



Sheep, goats, and calves which received this treatment showed 

 a marked improvement a few days after receiving a single dose. 



If an overdose is given by mistake, and if the sheep appears 

 severely affected by it, the animal should be placed in the shade. 

 Even in some cases of very severe overdoses, where the animal is 



