The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-06-01
The Gad-FIy.

1t may be that the presence of a few grubs
is not a source of serious damage; but it is
an undistputable fact, observed quite often,
that numerous grubs, or larvae, cause always
considerable emaciation and, in some cases,
even loss of life. myself had once an OPP
portunity to make post-mortem examina-
tion OF heifer killed by these larvae. The
hide for at least foot on each side of the
vertebral column, was not only perforated by
large number of grub holes, but also per-
fectly separated from the body; for the tum-
ors or cavities containing the larvae or mag
gots were SO close together as to make them
continent; and at least one-third of the whole
surface OF the body presented after the skin
was removed, an uninterrupted, suppurating
field. As no other morbid changes of any
consequence presented themselves, there can
be no doubt as to the cause of the animals
death. Of course, after the larvae or grubs
have made their exit, and after the tumo-s
have healed, the usually emaciated cattle will
improve rapidly and almost visibly; for then
the food consumed is for their exclusive good.
This observation has probably led to the mis-
taken idea that tie grubs of the CAD fly
exert sanitary influence upon their abode
animals. That the constant irritation and
the continued suppuration caused by these
larvae, and their feeding upon matter and
expudation proceeding from the body of the
latter, must interfere with its natural
growth and development, and, in conse-
quence, be a source of loss to the owner, is
too self-evident to need any further proof.
The question is, How can such losses be pre-
vented, and how can the gad-dy, or its
brood be destroyed? To find the pupe, to
catch the flying insect, or to prevent it from
deposlting its eggs, is a matter of difficulty,
and almost impossible; but TO destroy the
larvae before they have arrived at maturity,
is quite easy,-for their exact place beneath
the skin is indicated plainly enough by the
presence of the tumors, and is of easy access
on account OF the openings in the skin. The
simplest way to get at these Larvae, and to
kill them, is to enlarge the opening of each
tumor with a narrow-bladed knife, and to
draw out the larvae by means of pincers, or
with small hook. Even large herd of
cattle may thus be freed very easily from
the larvae in one day by one person; and if
every farmer would do it few years in sue
cession, the CAD fly would very soon become
too scarce to do any damage. Dracy Clark
recommends another method. He advises
to destroy the larvae by injecting into each
tumor some corrosive fluid, for instance, a
solution of corrosive sublimate or of sulphate
of copper; or to kill the same by pricking
them with red-hot needle. If injections
are to be used for that purpose, would pre-.
fer carbolic acid diluted with about one Or
two parts of glycerine, and two or three parts
of water. Still, the former method, consist
ing in enlaring the openings and extracting
the Larvae, deserves the preference, as the
consequent suppuration will be much less
and the healing much quicker if the Larvae
have been removed.-Chicago Tribune.