CHAPTER XXIII 



Lice Which Affect Domestic Animals 



Part 1. Cattle Lice and Their Control ^ 

 G. H. Lamson, Jr. 



Nearly every species of animal bearing hair or feathers is subject to 

 the attack of from one to a dozen species of lice. A given species does 

 not infest all kinds of animals, but is confined to certain related kinds. 



Lice are divided into two cardinal groups, according to their method 

 of feeding. One order, the Mallophaga, includes biting lice like the 

 bird lice and the small red lice on dairy animals, which feed on the dry 

 skin, hair or feathers, but do not suck the blood. The other order, the 

 Siphunculata, the sucking lice, fatten themselves by sucking the animal's 

 blood. These of course are the most annoying, injurious, and dangerous. 

 Some of the sucking lice, under certain conditions, may transmit fatal 

 diseases, but none of the cattle lice are known to do this. The present 

 lecture deals only with the species which infest dairy and beef cattle. 



The place where stock is kept has a part in the degree of infestation, 

 for cows that are placed near other badly infested cows have a greater 

 opportunity for becoming lousy than those that are stabled with cattle 

 that are comparatively free from lice. Where lice have occurred year 

 after year, there is a greater danger of infestation than where the stables 

 have been kept clean, well ventilated, and well lighted. The lice cannot 

 maintain life for any extended period of time away from the cows. If 

 the stables are kept clean, well lighted, and ventilated there is somewhat 

 less danger of infestation. 



Too much stress, however, has been placed upon the condition of 

 bedding and stables and not enough upon the condition of the stock, for 

 it is doubtful if any cow is ever entirely free from lice for the whole year, 

 even where the stables are kept scrupulously clean and well managed. 

 Careful examination of the infested herd will show that there is con- 

 siderable difference in the number of lice on different cows ; some are very 



^ This lecture was presented November 11, 1918. It is based primarily upon condi- 

 tions in dairy herds, and therefore all of the recommendations may not be applicable 

 to range conditions. — W. D. Pierce. 



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