114 
WARBLES. 
€ 
animal, or those pasturing with it, which might lick off poisonous 
dressings. 
Where the maggot is advancing to full growth, probably squeezing 
it out is the best remedy of all, that is, in case the infested hide is not 
too sore to bear pressure. 
If dressings are preferred, the numbers of kinds that will answer 
the purpose are endless. All that is needed is that the grease or 
mixture should be thick enough, and tenacious enough, for a little 
“dab” of it, when placed on the opening of the Warble, to adhere 
firmly, and thus choke the maggot by preventing it drawing in air 
through the breathing-apparatus in the two black spots at the end of 
the tail, which may usually be seen in the opening of the Warble¬ 
swelling. If, besides the above, anything can be added to the appli¬ 
cation having a scent likely to deter attack, it is all the better. 
In looking over the Warble Reports for 1884, and onwards, 
McDougall’s Smear or Dip is certainly that most generally approved 
of; the ointment of the Dee Oil Company is well spoken of; so also is 
cart-grease ; but amongst the very various mixtures sold under this 
description (see p. 59), care should be taken not to employ too-caustic 
a kind. 
Mercurial ointment used as a little touch laid on each Warble, and not 
applied a second time, answers well ; but it should on no account what¬ 
ever be applied as a smear, nor if there are many Warbles, and, from the 
risk of mis-application, or of other cattle licking the dressed animal, 
I do not take upon myself to advise this kind of dressing, though under 
skilled direction it has answered admirably. 
Train-oil and sulphur used in the consistence of thick cream answer 
well; also sulphur and soft-soap in the proportion of 1 lb. of each mixed 
in three pints of boiling water; and cart-grease and sulphur, lard and 
sulphur, and sulphur with paraffin, have been reported as useful for 
destroying the maggots. 
Many other dressings and washes for summer use have been duly 
recorded as found to answer, and in the United States returns I do not 
find that there is any dressing or treatment better than ours, unless it 
may be a greater use of salt and water, or brine for washing the coats 
of the animals. This is an old-fashioned but apparently very good 
preventive measure, which is noted by Mr. Henry Thompson as used 
in the North of England, and the application of it by rubbing it well 
on with a wisp of straw (as mentioned by one of the U.S.A. reporters) 
would probably be very serviceable in removing eggs; and getting the 
wash thoroughly in amongst the hair, and well down into the minute 
hair-like channels through the hide, at the bottom of which we find 
the maggot in the very earliest stage at which the infestation is easily ® 
observable, 
