68 BULLETIN 1089, U. S. DEPARTMENT OE AGRICULTURE. 
While lice in cattle are more numerous in certain seasons, it was not- 
observed that the reindeer were bothered to any extent in Alaska. 
Eeindeer men report that they have at times noticed a loss of hair 
in reindeer which may have been due to attacks of lice. 
PROTOZOA. r l 
■u 
The Protozoa found in reindeer require further study. Sarcospo- 
ridid in the muscles are of common occurrence. In cattle and sheep 
these parasites are usually regarded as having little significance, 
but in reindeer there are some cases at least where the numbers of 
the cysts are so great that value of the meat is lowered. A disease 
called by reindeer men " cornmeal," which is also caused by Pro- 
tozoa. 21 is noticed when affected animals are skinned; there is found 
to be a decided roughening of the bones and tendons, hence the name 
"cornmeal." It would be difficult to detect these cases in the live 
animals. Young reindeer do not seem to be infested, or only to a 
slight extent. The old animals are the most heavily parasitized. 
PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN GENERAL. 
In the survey of the reindeer industry in Alaska, no serious out- 
breaks of contagious diseases were encountered. It would seem that 
reindeer are more fortunate than either cattle or sheep in this regard. 
Parasites are undoubtedly the worst enemies reindeer have, and 
fortunately the outlook for controlling some species seems hopeful. 
For instance, the worms which reindeer derive from dogs can be re- 
duced simply by treating the dogs with vermifuges. The remedy lies 
in the hands of the reindeer owners. 
Bacterial diseases, such as foot rot. have been mentioned in the 
preceding paragraphs; there are, however, several other bacterial 
diseases requiring further investigation, such as lung affections and 
diseases of the heart. 
Septic conditions of lungs and the coverings of the heart are not 
uncommon. It may be found that these cases are brought on me- 
chanically by the penetration of foreign bodies from the paunch. In 
those cases which were examined for bacteria, a variety of organisms 
were encountered. 
In concluding this chapter on disease, it will be well to caution all 
reindeer men against keeping sickly animals in their herds. // there 
is any doubt about an animal, it should be killed without hesitation. 
Great losses may often be averted by prompt action of this native. 
- 1 Cf. Hadwen, Seymour, Cyst-forming Trotozoa in reindeer and caribou: Journ. Aruer- 
Vet. Med. Assn., vol. Gl, n. s. vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 374-3S2, figs. 1-8, July, 1922. In this 
article the parasite of " cornmeal " disease is described, and named Fibrocyxtis taruwli. 
