The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1876-06-16
Animal Parasites.

Term Wnlch aptly describes many species,
both OF the vegetable and animal crea-
ton. Thus the mistletoe and many of
the fungi and moses are examples of
vegetables which grow on trees, and the
apple-tree louise, that great pest of the
orchard, is an example of an animal para
site that sponges its living from trees.
But what We particularly desire to call
the attention of farmers TO at this time,
Is the multitude of parasites that are
sucking the life-blood out of their dOmes-
tic animals. 1t seems to be a pretty
general law of nature that animals prey
on each other. Not only do the superior
devour the inferior, but liliputian fellows
make their home upon and within the
larger animals, and fare sumptuously.
Man is not exempt from the invasion of
these parasites. Every mother of
family knows that it requires perpetual
vigilance to keep lice out of the heads of
her children, especially if they go to the
public school, But it may not be so
generally known that the loathsome dis
ease called the itch, is caused by a min
ute parasite that burrows in tie skin,
causing a fostering sore. In fact, man
furnishes a home for score or two OF
different kinds of parasites, among which
are three or four kinds of lice, four diff
ferent tape-wc which lie in the in
testines; four distOma, found in the liver
and the blood some acari, that strange
to say, choose the nose for their habita-
ton; some cestoids, that select the eye
ball, or the heart, or other inclOSed or
gan, for their habitation. The tartar OF
the teeth, and the secretiOns of the mu-
cous membrane furnish both food and
shelter to numerous inferior organisms
There is no organ of the body which Is
entirely free from parasites. The brain,
the nerves, the spinal marrow, and even
the bones, nourfsh parasites peculiar to
themselves each has favOrite home
and food, but it is not true, as some sup
pose, that each species is confined to one
species or even genus of animals. Many
of them seem to be cosmopolitan in their
nature. Thus the tick, which is such a
nuisance on sheep, also infests the dog,
the deer, and sometimes takes up his
abode on man. The writer once found
one, after strengthening, in his arm-pit,
where he had buTowed into the skin be-
fore he was discovered.
A correspondent says he is greatly
troubled by lice on his cattle. and ticks
on his sheep, and wishes to know how he
may rid his herds and focks of these
pests.
As to lice on cattle. we desire in the
first place to say to all cattle owners,
that every man ought to be ashamed to
let them propagate 50 as to become
pest. Such offences will come in the
best managed herds. There is not an
animal that will not, under favorable
circumstances, breed lice of some kind in
its hair, wool, feathers, or skin. it
seems, sometimes, as though the little
vermin were developed, were not bred,
but, like topsy, grew. OF course, this Is
not so. They are seldom found on ami
mails that are well fed, well grOOmed, and
well ventilated. When the hair is filled
with dust, the stables are dirty, and the
animal is in poor heart, these vampires
find good prOpagatine bed, and they
multiply at a wonderful rate. Their
presence may be easily detected by the
animals rubbing themselves against
every post and board, biting and kicking
themselves and, in extreme cases, by
the hair comingoff. They can also be
seen with the naked eye, and with a
glass they look Ike hOrrid monsters. In
small numbers they do not cause much
annoyance or damage, but if allowed 10
multiply they produce cutaneous dis
ease called mango, the hair comes of,
che animal runs down in hesh-and no
wonder, for thousands of animals are
living on one-and the farmer il feeding
his hay and gnin to parasites, from
which there is no profit. The old adage,
an ounce of prevention is worth a pound
of cure, Is speedily applicable to para
sites, and the prevention is easily accom-
plished by cleanliness and grooming.
If however, the parasites have estab-
lished large colonies, they can be easily
dispossessed. Their habit is to have
head quarters and hind quarters, from
which they issue on foraging expeditions.
Their headquarters are near the base of
the horns and 50 down on the neck, as
here they are in comparative safety, the
animal not being able to lick or rub
these parts. The headquarters, for the
same reason, are near the roots OF the
tail. Dispere the enemy from these [.
quarters, and they are pretty effectually /
routed. Formerly we rubbed into these /
parts a mercurial ointment called I'M
guentum, made from triturating quick |
silver with lard. it is an eflectual remedy, /
but must be used with caution, as, though /
the animal may not be able to lick off /
the poison, still it is absorbed through /
the pores of the skin, and may result in |
evil consequences, though, in our !
limited experience, we have never known /
such a result Another effectual remedy /
is a strong decoction of tobacco. The /
g weed" was never put to a better use /
than destroying lice on cattle, and ticks /
on sheep, but the nicotine of tobacco
like mercury, can be absorbed by the |
skin, and cases of death are reported in (
onsequence.
Sulphur is death to most all small |
parasites: the flowers of sulphur can De /
sprinkled along the neck and back of an /
animal infested with lice, with compare
tive impunity to the animal, and sure
destruction to the liliputians. a little /
sulphur mixed with the feed of n COW or
OK is also a preventive of parasites and /
an aid to their determination. 1t is the
remedy for the itch on men,
and two or three thorough applications
always root out the microscopic insect
which burrows in the flesh of children,
causing the itch. Sulphur is best APP
piled in the form of an ointment made
from the flowers of sulphur and lard or
whale oil. Most of these little parasites
breathe through what are called spiracles,
openings in their body, and the lard or
oil fills up these, causing suffocation, so
that lard alone is not a bad remedy for
lice. Sulphur makes it doubly sure, for
the animal heat causes the vapor of sui
phur to be disseminated, and no animal
can breathe this vapor and live. 1t is
to the use of sulphur that the
animals are likely to take cold after be
ing dosed with it; but we have never
known such result, either on boysoor
beasts, and we have tried it on both
pretty Thoroughly As a precaution
against any such-evil result, we should
keep the animals housed, and ita blanket
is thrown over them, the fumes of the
sulphur will be confined, and prove all
the more effectual.
Modern science has brought to light
many useful things, and among them we
rank carbolic acid as one of the chief
Its virtues as an antiseptic are many,
and we value it highly as destroyer of
parasites. If Byron had lived in our
day he would not have said of one of his
I" In virtues nothing could surpass her,
Save thine Incompatible oil Macassar."
Carbolic acid would have formed AN
other exception. We know no danger
arising from the use of the destroyer of
parasites, either on man or beast, if prop
srly applied. The saturated solution
which the druggists furnish must be di
L i