LOCOWEED DISEASE OF SHEEP 435 



even removed, while they are still in good condition, and fed up in a group 

 by themselves. 



8. Parasitic diseases, passing as "loco disease" are widely spread among 

 the sheep of Montana, and probably throughout the West. The parasites 

 which have come to light during the loco studies are: 1st, the "fringed tape- 

 worm" (Thysanosoma actinioides) : 2nd, a wire worm of the stomach 

 {Ostertagia marshalli): 3rd, a lung worm; 4th, in sheep which are in poor 

 condition the ubiquitous sheep fly disease may produce serious or fatal 

 illness. The other parasites observed such as the Sarcocystis tenella are of 

 less serious moment. 



9. The hygenic conditions on the ranches, around the bedding grounds 

 for the sheep, and at the watering places, especially in the latter situation 

 seem peculiarly favorable for the wide dissemination of the parasitic dis- 

 eases above mentioned. It does not seem at all probable that the loco 

 studies have brought to light all of the diseases masquerading as "loco 

 disease." 



The unexpected development of the loco work pointing to underfeeding 

 and parasitic infections leads to problems of immediate importance, 

 so great as to overshadow the original loco problem. It would be very 

 interesting to continue to experiment with the loco plant, but the call 

 of the hour is to combat the losses of live stock by tackling the feeding 

 problem, and by making a thorough medical survey under the direction of 

 trained parasitologists to determine the nature and extent of prevailing 

 parasitic diseases, and to inaugurate measures to combat them. Further 

 investigations of the locoweed at the present time will serve only to post- 

 pone the day of relief for the stock raisers. Not until the two problems of 

 underfeeding and infection have been attacked successfully can we hope 

 for a satisfactory settlement of the loco problem. 



Even in the case of Marsh's disease it will be necessary to do much 

 work before Marsh's recommendations can be justified. He advises that 

 the locoweed be exterminated by combined action of the individual rancher, 

 the state and the nation. The enormous cost of such an undertaking calls 

 for the most careful work to justify it. It will not be until it has been proved 

 that Marsh's disease itself is not dependent upon some microorganism; 

 until it has been clearly established that it does not exist outside of the 

 locoweed belt, and that only animals eating the weed are victims of the 

 disease; and until the food value of the weed, and its value as part of a 

 ration have been learned — not until these matters are settled can Marsh's 

 recommendations be advocated. If Law is correct in the quotation given 

 above, and if the locoweed is like its relatives in the plant kingdom, it may 



