16 



CIRCULAR 14 8, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



leads to marked improvement in condition, hair coat, and gain in 

 weight. 



Thus it is evident that the ascarid, both as an adult and as a wander- 

 ing larva, has the capacity for causing great damage, and that its 

 presence in horses, especially foals, is a possible source of danger. 

 Heavy infestations, in which hundreds of worms may be present, 



Figure 9- — Type of insanitary box stall. Note accumulation of litter and manure. 



may cause illness and even death as a result of the horse's absorption 

 of toxic products produced by the worms. 



Treatment. — Carbon disulfide is an effective remedy for the re- 

 moval of ascarids from the horse. The drug is given as follows: 

 Fast the animal for 18 hours and give carbon disulfide in a dose 

 of 6 fluid drams (24 cubic centimeters) for a 1,000-pound animal or 

 at a dose rate of 1.5 fluid drams (6 cubic centimeters) for each 250 

 pounds of weight. The worms usually pass for several days follow- 

 ing treatment. Purgatives should not be given with this treatment. 

 Fats and oils should be avoided as they promote the absorption and 

 increase the toxicity of the carbon disulfide. Carbon disulfide 

 usually produces a limited area of inflammation in the stomach of 

 the horse. This inflammation is without serious consequences, 

 however, and usually disappears in the course of a week or two. 



