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deposit her eggs. The building should be kept clean and disinfected and the
animals should be dipped occasionally in a suitable tick-killing solution, or
this may be applied to them with a brush or cloth. When the number of
animals to be treated is small a suitable tick-killing solution, as recommended
below for dipping, may be applied by means of brush or cloth, or a spray pump
may be used for the purpose with satisfactory results. When the number
of animals to be treated is large the best method of combating ticks is to dip
the animals in a suitable solution in the same way and with the same precau-
tions as recommended in the case of mange. The following formula consti-
tutes a satisfactory tick-killing solution (used in Queensland):—
Arsenious oxide 8 lb.
Caustic soda 5 lb.
Stockholm tar ½ gallon
Tallow or oil (animal or vegetable) 4 lb.
Water 400 gallons
Directions.—Mix from 8 to 8½ lb. of commercial arsenic (to contain 8 lb.
arsenious oxide) in its powdered dry state intimately with 2 lb. of caustic soda,
and while stirring add slowly upto 4 gallons of water. Heat to boiling point
if arsenic has not properly dissolved. Then boil from 50 to 100 gallons water
in a 400 gallons tank and add 2 lb. of caustic soda and 4 lb. of tallow (or oil),
boil for about 15 minutes, then add slowly in a thin stream half a gallon of the
best Stockholm tar. When the whole of the tar has been added, boil from
30 to 40 minutes, then add the arsenical solution and fill up the tank with
water. It is advisible to test the safety of arsenical dips first on a few animals.
Special care must be taken with such a dip when using it in a hot and humid
atmosphere and if found necessary it may be further diluted so as to render it
safe but not ineffective.
(v) Lousiness.—Three kinds of lice, namely Haematopinus eurysternus,
the short-nosed cattle louse (Plate XIII, fig. 7), Linognathus vituli, the long-nos-
ed cattle louse (Plate XIII, fig. 8) and Trichodectes scalaris, the biting louse of
cattle (Plate XIII, fig. 9) are commonly met with on Indian cattle, particularly
the young stock. Neglected and poorly-nourished cattle kept under insani-
tary conditions are more predisposed to infestation with lice. These parasites
are specific for cattle and do not show any tendency to leave the host. Once
the parasites and eggs become dislodged from the animal, they die within 7 or
8 days under most favourable conditions. The first two species of lice are
known as the sucking lice because they puncture the skin and suck blood.
They are about 2-3 mm. long. The biting louse, which is smaller and more
common than the sucking louse, is commonly met with on the withers and
around the root of the tail. The sucking louse, being more irritating, usually
select such parts of the body where efforts of the animals to dislodge them
cannot be successful, e.g. sides of the neck, brisket, back, inner surface of the
thighs, on the head, and around the nose, eyes and ears. When the infestation
is heavy they may be found on any part of the body.
All three species of lice feed on the tissues of their host and cause a great
deal of irritation, evidenced by rubbing and scratching. In the infested
parts scurf and even crusts of dried blood may be found and the hair may
look coarse and erect. Heavy infestation results in emaciation and anaemia.