404 
DEATH OF LAMBS FROM TICKS. 
It is seldom in this country that we notice any serious 
ill consequences arising from an attack of ticks^ ixodes ricinus^ 
although in more southern climes, particularly in Brazil and 
other parts of South America, it is a frequent occurrence even 
for oxen to succumb to the irritating and exhaustive effects 
of these parasitic epizoa. Temperature has no doubt much 
to do with the multiplication of these parasites, and the great 
heat which prevailed last summer, followed by the mildness 
of the winter, favoured both their reproduction and preserva¬ 
tion in unusual numbers in England. During the last month 
we have been consulted respecting the death of several lambs, 
in the county of Kent, from attacks of ticks. Portions of 
skin were sent us which may be described as being thickly 
covered with these epizoa. Their size varied considerably, 
many being as large as beans, while others were not bigger 
than kernels of wheat. They were still firmly holding on, their 
sucking organ being deeply planted in the skin; nor could 
they be detached without breaking and leaving this in the 
common integument. The covering of wool so completely 
concealed most of them from observation, that the true cause 
of the death of the lambs was not at first understood. Two 
varieties were chiefly met with, the ixodes rubidus and ixodes 
plumbeus. Dipping the lambs in a diluted mixture of carbolic 
acid was found effectual in destroying the parasites. We record 
these cases as the first coming to your knowledge of animals 
sinking under the irritative and emaciative effects of ticks. 
Mr. Charles Morgan, V.S., Nonington, near Wingham, to 
whom we are indebted for specimens of the parasite, says, 
in his communication, that “ they had attacked sheep and 
lambs, both on upland and marshes, and that one farmer 
found a large quantity on some colts which were at pasture 
on a marsh near to sheep."’"’ 
PARASITIC DISEASE.—THE STRONGULUS 
ARMATUS. 
A CASE of extreme emaciation of more than usual interest 
has recently come under the notice of the Professors at the 
Royal Veterinary College. An aged blood-mare, thorough¬ 
bred, was admitted into the Infirmary a few weeks since, 
suffering from some obscure disease, the most prominent 
