42 
WARBLE FLY. 
to in Mr. Richards’ letter), “ which I had no room for and could not 
then sell.” 
It is worth remark, that where the cattle were from necessary 
circumstances, as above mentioned, more exposed to attack, the fly was 
so much more noticeable as to allow having several chases and two 
captures, and it was also mentioned that the few cattle that were free 
were so maddened by the fly as to leap a parapet wall for the purpose 
of getting into water, and continued swimming about in a reservoir nine 
feet deep, with their own good will, to avoid attack. 
Summer Attack. 
About four iveeks after the maggots have been noticed leaving the backs of 
the cattle the summer attack from Warble Fly may be expected to begin, and 
to be great or small in amount according to the number of maggots which 
were allowed to live. 
In the following notes of applications or treatment of the animals, 
which have been found to prevent attack, it will be seen that there are 
a few special points acted on. These are— 1st, applying mixtures of 
such a strong smell as may be obnoxious to the fly and overpower the 
attraction of the smell of the animal; 2nd, applications which would stick 
the fly fast or kill the egg ; 3rd, washes which womld clear of the eggs or 
destroy them if laid on the skin, or kill the grub ivhilst near the surface; 
4th, protection afforded to cattle by being housed at egg-laying time. 
“ Respecting the application of anything to prevent the Warble Fly 
depositing the eggs, there are a number of matters of a tarry nature 
that might be applied, and nothing better than Stockholm or green 
tar itself rubbed along the cows’ backs before turning them out, which 
would last all the summer seaso'n, or applied in May or June between 
the top of the shoulder-blade and loins. This is the only part the cow 
cannot lick, rub, or lash with the tail; hence the only peaceable place 
where the fly can leave its egg. Or sheep-salve (bad butter and tar 
mixed with sulphur). About two applications would last a full season. 
Or the application of brine and the mixture I have already given you. 
Paraffin, kerosine, carbolic acid, phenyle, &c., are all too transient to 
be of much service, and would have to be applied frequently.”—H. 
Thompson, M.R.C.V.S., Aspatria (1884). 
Mr. Thompson further noted that he had been told it was a common 
practice to wash the cows’ backs "with pickling brine, the application 
being used two or three times during the season. In this part large 
farmers keep what is called the pickling-tub, wherein they put beef 
and mutton ; the brine is made with salt and water, salt being added 
till an egg will float. This is an old remedy, and I think a good one, 
as I think the ova would be destroyed immediately it was placed in 
the skin. 
