74 
Parasites of Cattle and Sheep. 
the application of poisonous dressings for ringworm, and in 
obstinate cases, or where the ringworms are extensive, treat- 
ment under the direction of the veterinary surgeon is likely 
to be more effective and safer. 
The spores of the ringworm fungus live a long time, 
certainly for six months, probably longer, apart from animals. 
They have been found on posts, &c., where affected calves 
have rubbed, and this suggests the application of disinfectants 
to places likely to have been contaminated, and the burning or 
ploughing in of litter. 
Internal Parasites of Cattle. 
In common with other domesticated animals, cattle harbour 
in their internal organs a great variety of animal and vegetable 
parasites. It will only be possible here to refer to some of the 
more salient points concerning those usually recognised as 
more important. The majority of these are commonly known 
as “ worms,” whose length largely exceeds their breadth. 
Proceeding to consider the parasites of the digestive tract, 
though occasionally the “ ray fungus ” and some bots are found 
in the back of the throat, and some fluke-like bodies (amphi- 
stomes) in the rumen or paunch, it is not until we come to the 
fourth or true digestive stomach, or abomasum , that we reach 
the location of parasites whose effects are generally recognised 
as common or serious. 
Parasitic Gastritis. — The true digestive stomach of cattle may 
harbour other worms, but it will be sufficient for our purpose 
to state that those most frequently found associated with serious 
disease in cattle are minute strongyles, which, though not 
actually microscopic, are too small for recognition in the stomach 
with the naked eye. Roughly speaking, these strongyles are 
from one-eighth to one-third of an inch in length. In some 
instances, only individuals of one species are met with ; in 
other instances individuals of two species are in association. 
In severe cases of the disease attributed to them, these worms 
exist in myriads. If the inner lining membrane of the stomach 
of an affected animal, recently dead, be gently scraped w T ith 
a knife, and the scrapings transferred to a watch glass or small 
clear glass phial containing pure tepid water, the minute hair-like 
worms will be readily discerned, sometimes actively moving ; 
and if placed under a* low power of the miscroscope, it will 
be seen that they are highly organised, and the distinguishing 
features of sex and species will be apparent. The males and 
females are all mature, the latter usually containing a large 
number of eggs ; on the slide may be found eggs, but no 
intermediate stage of the worm, i.e ., no form between that 
of the egg and the mature worm, thus indicating that in all 
