C. L. Walton 
219 
After several troublesome seasons the disease abates in both the 
number of cattle attacked and the virulence of the cases, and it is probable 
that this is largely due to the acquisition of a degree of immunity by 
the herd, and the occurrence of mild cases among the stock when young: 
some local men have noted these mild cases among their calves. On 
many farms the disease is quiescent just as long as the herd remains 
self-contained, and only calves bred upon the place are reared; but 
should cattle be bought from non-immune stock the trouble speedily 
reappears, often within six weeks of purchase, and this is very generally 
recognised; stores bought in October become ill in the following May. 
I have heard of several cases of “red water,” in calves that had never 
been allowed out, and hence must have contracted the trouble from the 
htter, which is often dried fern or other rough herbage. 
A “slope” farm (600 feet) had considerable trouble with piroplas- 
mosis while the neighbouring holdings remained free. After a time 
however the disease appeared upon the adjoining farm below, after the 
cattle of both holdings had grazed adjoining fields and had probably 
been in contact. The year prior to the commencement of the survey, 
a third farm adjoining the second became similarly affected. 
A farm on the Dyfi Flats formerly greatly troubled with piroplas- 
mosis where also ticks are very abundant, has latterly been much 
affected by salt floods owing to some sluice defects, and the cattle have 
been forced to drink much brackish water. The owner claims that 
trouble from the disease has now practically ceased, although ticks 
are still abundant. 
Certain rough fields, in different parts of the Area, that were known 
to cause red water in cattle grazing them, have been rendered harmless 
by a process of improvement consisting of clearing away rough growth 
and the application of basic slag. One man claimed to have lost twenty- 
three cattle in two years. A farmer in the extreme north of the Area 
who had been troubled with red water, was advised by Sir S. Stockman 
to graze sheep with his cattle and this proved successful. Neglect of 
the precaution for two years resulted in a return of the trouble. 
Several farmers state that they never had a case of piroplasmosis 
until after purchasing an animal, or lot of cattle from certain places; 
these all proved, on enquiry, to be “red water” farms. The disease 
is locally known as “ pisso gwaed ” = bloody urine, and in severe cases 
“dwr ddu ,” or black water. Local remedies vary from a quart of brine 
and 1 lb. of Epsom salts, and other mixtures including ginger, cayenne, 
spices, etc,, to “the ashes of an old boot sole'’ administered as a drench. 
