MERCURIAL OINTMENT. 
47 
some with mercurial ointment; I have not the slightest doubt but that 
all will be effectual. I am satisfied there will be no difficulty in killing 
the grub with any one of fifty simple remedies.” 
About a week later Mr. Stratton added:—“ I treated others with 
mercurial ointment (such as is used for scab in sheep); the effect of 
this is very remarkable, for in a couple of days after the application 
the grub appears to be quite decomposed ; and I am persuaded that no 
remedy can be more safe, simple, and effectual than this. It would 
not cost twopence a head to treat all the cattle in the country in 
this way. 
“It is quite easy to destroy the grub by a stab, but the cattle 
object to it; it appears to hurt them almost as much as a puncture 
through the skin. The objection to the scalpel, &c., is that when you 
treat an animal for this attack all the grubs are not in the same stage, 
and some have no orifice developed, or only a small one, through 
which it would be difficult to make an insertion ; whereas, whether 
visible or not, a little of the ointment rubbed in would destroy the 
grub effectually. 
“ Tar had the desired effect in every case but one, and in that I 
think the hair kept it from the opening. Acetic acid was perfectly effec¬ 
tive.”— R. Stratton, The Duffryn, Newport, Mon. 
Other notes of approval of the application were sent in, from which 
I have chosen the following, as being from large cattle-owners, or, in 
the first instance, from Professor Riley, who has given special study, 
practical as well as scientific, to warble-treatment: — 
“ In America it has been found that a little mercurial ointment 
applied to the swellings in autumn acts very well in killing the young 
Hypoderma larva, but the simpler and equally effectual way is to rub 
the back and sides, and especially the back, with pure kerosine oil.” — 
Prof. C. V. Riley, Consulting Entomologist, Department of Agriculture, 
Washington, U.S.A. 
“ The smallest quantity of mercurial ointment (as much as a small 
pea) placed on the hole in the skin carries death within twenty-four 
hours. After applying the ointment to about forty-five cows, I cannot 
tell exactly the numbers that were in the cows’ backs, but my im¬ 
pression is that there were seldom more than six in one beast.” —E.E. 
McBride, Glendonagli, Middleton, Co. Cork. 
“June 10th, 1885. Resulting from your advice, I have within 
two months dressed about 250 head of cattle out of 800 with mercurial 
ointment for warble-maggots with speedy and complete success, and 
without any bad effect whatever. My herdsmen all now swear by your 
remedy ; but I think at a very early period in spring, dressing down 
the backbone with sulphur might be a great prevention also.” — J. A. 
Farrell, Esq., D.L., Moynalty, Kells, Co. Meath, Ireland. 
