Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1901-10-19
DAIRY AND POULTRY.
CHAPTERS FOR OUR
RURAL READERS.
How Successful Farmers Operate This
Department. of the Farm-A Few
Hints to the Care of Live Stock
and Poultry.
Broad Tape Worm OF sheep


Broad Tape Worm of Sheep
1t is said that this tape worm,
known technically as taenia expansa,
came to this country from Europe,
yet it is now one of the most com
mon parasites of sheep While it is
usually associated with other parasites
in the intestines of the sheep, it must
be regarded as the cause of consider
able injury and even fatality. 1t is
easily recognized on account of its
breadth and great length. 1t may ex-
ceed five yards in length and at the
broadest part is from one-half to
three-fourths of an inch wind. 1t
tapers away to a fine point at the
head, and this part of the worm is of
strong texture, so that the head and
neck feel like a thorn, or in larger
worms in other animals like a wire
nail. We notice it most in fall and
winter, but it is really present in the
Intestines at all times Of the year,
constantly maturing segments which
pass away in the droppings and spread
Infection to other sheep. AS the con-
ditions in the spring and summer are
very favorable for the existence of the
embryo outside of the body, sheep may
show symptoms Of the presence of the
tape worms in late summer or fall.
Low wet pastures are supposed to be
most favorable for producing tape
worm diseases, but we should most
fear the pasture that has been years
in grass and over-pastured by sheep
year after year. The only way of de-
terminfng that sheep are infested with
tape worms, apart from post mortem
examination, is the appearance of the
joints Or segments in the manure.
Unless a number of the parasites are
present no indication of disease will
be observed, but when present in con-
siderable numbers IN young lambs
emaciation is speedy and may prove
fatal. DR.. Courtice mentions finding
fourteen adult worms in one lamb four
months old, and that the number of
individuals present may be from 2 or
3 to 100. 1t is seldom, however, that
more than five or six are observed.
Symptoms of disease 90 not appear
until the parasites reach considerable
size, when they partially block up the
Intestinal tube and probably cause
considerable irritation. The affected
lamb ceases to thrive, becomes weak
and emaciated and may finally die
from exhaustion In late stages diar-
rhoea is a prominent symptom. The
mucus membranes are pale, the wool
becomes deprived of oil and is easily
pulled out, and the appetite at first
good, in later stages becomes impaired
Other diseases may supervene and
carry off the already debilitated ami
NAL. The appetite of affected animals
may for some time continue good,
more food and drink being taken than
when free from parasites. To prevent
Infection with tape worms new pas
lures and fresh drinking water should
if possible be supplied. Overstocking
and the use of low, wet pastures
should be avoided. Medicinal treatment
is quite effective If the flock is taken
in hand early. For the destruction OF
this parasite several preparations are
recommended. Before administering
medicine, food and water should be
withheld for twelve hours or more,
and it is advisable to follow the tape
worm medicine in three or four hours
with a full dose of castor oil. Areca,
not powdered, In one to three drachm
doses, male shield fern in two ounce
doses, kousso in one and one-half
to two drachm doses. and picrate OF
potash in from to 20 grain doses are
the preparations most highly recon-
mended. The picrate of potash is said
to be very effective, but If properly ad-
ministered. no doubt any of the above
will give good results. Oil of turpen-
tine is also much used. After using
this remedy for the destruction Of the
stomach worms sheep have been OBJ
served to pass large numbers of tape
worms. In the treatment of badly af-
fected f1ocks the animals should re-
ceive the best OF care, and in addition
to being supplied with generous diet
composed of such foods as crushed
oats, bran and oil cake, 1t is well to
give tonic medicine in the feed. For
the latter parpose it will be found ben
eficial to mix for each sheep a tea
spoonful of a mixture of equal parts
of dried su1phate of iron and ground
ginger root in the feed twice daily
until they begin to pick up, after
which it may be given once daily for
some time longer Keep a good look
out for segments of tape worms about
this time of the year, and If they are
noticed at once, commence treatment
as suggested above.
Chsr.eter OF Dairy Products fron ssIaee.
Professor Henry of the WISCONSIN