2 7 2 DISEASES QF THE DOMESTIC ANIMALS 



the larvae of a bot fly — the Hypoderma lineata — which lays its eggs 

 on the skin especially above the heels, in spring or summer (accord- 

 ing to location), and these eggs are swallowed and reach the sub- 

 cutaneous tissues by wandering out through the walls of the esoph- 

 agus. The swellings on the skin suppurate and a small aperture 

 is formed through which the larvae escape and then the swelling 

 disappears spontaneously within three weeks or so of its appearance. 



Treatment.— When the larvae is about to escape it may be 

 hastened by gentle pressure and removal with tweezers. Very 

 rarely general septic poisoning occurs from, extensive suppuration. 

 Kerosene may be injected, by means of an ordinary machinist's oil 

 can, into the apertures in the warbles at as, early a stage as the 

 apertures can be discovered or two applications of thick grease to 

 the swellings in winter stop up the breathing holes of the grubs 

 and kill them. By this treatment it is said that the large swellings 

 do not form but that the disease subsides without any further de- 

 velopment or suppuration, and at the same time the larvae are killed. 



Prophylaxis consists in the application ©f agents to prevent the 

 gadfly from alighting on cattle in July and August, and brushing 

 to remove the eggs when laid on the skin. The daily application 

 of axle grease or kerosene to the legs and flanks is effective; also 

 creolin solution (3 per cent.), or one of the proprietary remedies 

 against flies, may be sprayed over the body prior to turning cattle 

 to pasture. Warbles causes in the aggregate enormous financial 

 loss owing to the holes in the hides and shrinkage in milk. 



Wind-Sucking — Crib-Biting. 



This does not refer to simple biting of the stall fixtures, al- 

 though the trick may thus begin, but to the habit by which air is 

 drawn into the larynx through setting the jaw or teeth against an 

 object or by alternately depressing and throwing up the head. The 

 air is then partly swallowed — with resulting tympany — and partly 

 emitted, with characteristic sounds. It is commonly seen in horses, 

 in which it originates through idleness or through imitation of other 



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