Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1883-12-05
BUTLER CITIZEN
The Liver Fluke.


therefore the most dreaded diseases OF
ebeep is the liver rot, produced, as Is
Thought. by the insect known as the
liver fluke. In 1880, it is said, 1000
600 sheep died in England With the
rot. and thousands die with it In our
own country yearly; and in many ln-
stances the shepherd or the farmer mas
no idea what allied his sheep.
One unfalling symptom that accom-
ranies the disease is the change In the
membrane which covers the eyeball IN
front and lines the eyelid. When the
eheep are well this is brilliant red;
but when attacked by the rot 1t be-
comes pale yeilowish color, as does
also the eyeball itself. If this change
is noted, in connection with general
lassitude and ailiDg of the sheep, II
NAV be safely said to have the liver
rot There are other symptoms, also;
but many of them are common to other
diseases of sheep. The wool becomes
dry and harsh and falls of, dropsy ap-
pears, and often watery swelling ap-
pears below the lower jaw. The spine.
is arched, appetite is lost and thirst Is
much increased In time the sheep be-
comes completely emaciated and dies
wretcbed death. If it be opened 1t
will be found to be altogether rotten
within; the liver will be filled with
ulcers and yellowish fluid will follow
the knife everywhere.
THE INSECT.
The luke belongs to the order tre-
motada or suctorial worms, and In
habits the gall-bladder or ducts OF the
liver in sheep. The color is usually
like that of the organ in which it lives.
1t is a very low form ofinsect existence,
multiplies from eggs or spores, and Is
fiat oval-shaped when full grown. 1t
passes throug h several stages OF exist
ence, and the spores or eggs need to be
washed with stagnant water before
they can fully develop. How it gets
into the sleeps vitals is a question
that there is difference of opinion upon;
but it is generally thought by those
who have made the insect study that
it attaches itself or penetrates some
lower form of animal life, as snails or
soft-bodied molluscs, which are swal-
lowed by the sheep when pasturing on
lowlands, or when drinking from stag
nant pools. Once introduced into the
stomach the insect soon finds its way
into the liver and disease begins in
earnest. Often tie insects collect to-
gether in large masses snd so obstruct
the flow of the bile as to produce jaun'
dice. 1t is doubtless this that gives
the membrane of the eye its yellowish
appearance. Sheep often put on flesh
rapidly when first attacked by the rot
but tue fat is highly colored and not
tie result of thrift and good feed.
Various affections and diseases OF
arrangements of the animal system
follow in the train of this. When the
liver can no longer perform its func
tions, dropsy, diarrbea, fever, will
coughing and general disorganization
results.
TREATMENT.
Asin the case of many other diseases
of animals, prevention is the only cure
Sheep pastured on high lands are no
often, if ever, affected with this disease
they have no opportunity to take il
the young insect that produces tn
evil. Keep your sheep away from tn
stagnant pools and on dry pastures
and the difficulty will be avoided; tn
fuke cannot develope in these places
Hence, fence off or drain all lowlan'
pastures, and do not feed lowland hay
as sometimes this may communicat
the cause of the disease. Salt SHOULD
be given the sheep in good quantity
and the following mixture, recommend
ed by Henry Stewart, the well-knowl
authority, should be given on the frs
appearance of the above named symr
toms: saltpeter, l. ! OF; powdered gin
ger, o.; carbonate of iron, OF
salt. l Id; boiling water, OTIS. Whe
mixed and cool add 8 ounces of spirit
of terpentine, and bottle the mixture
Give in the morning wine-glass fu
by means of horn, and repeat the dos
every forth day for two weeks. n
food should be given the sheep tn
night previous, nor within three hour
after the mixture is administered.
1t is very hard matter to cure th
disease when in full course; but tn
above will be as good medicine as ca
be given. But watch for the SYM
toms, note the preventatives, an
there will be less danger from this pc
culiar disease