The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1903-04-25
CATTLE SCAIS.
by DIR. J.. VAN ES.

NHeh euCH nICeb ma tne1f way
to cattle, they burrow into the skin
and by their irritation cause intense
itching. The first signs of the dis
ease, which attract our attention are
the persistent attempts of the affect
ed animals to rub and scratch them.
selves. The parts wh ich seem to be
affected first are the neck, just be-
hind the ears, shoulders and about
The root OF the tail. When we ex-
anime the skin a little closer we
notice that the hair is falling out,
and that the skin itself is wrinkled,
dry and scaly. As the disease pro-
crosses the skin becomes thickened,
completely hairless and is covered
with hard crusts or scabs. In ad.
dition to those manifestations the
effects of the continued scratching.
rubbing and licking become recog-
nized as large and small abrasions,
often bring the blood, which, when
dry, adds to the crust already pres.
ent. AS time goes on, other regions
of the body are invaded by the mites.
From neck and shoulders the disease
extends to the sides and withers and
from the tail it spreads for ward to
the croupe, the back and fanks, un-
Til the larger portion or all of the
body is completely denuded.
The symptoms of scab are at their
worst during the fall and winter.
With the beginning Of spriug they
usually subside and the hair grows
out again. However, do not be de
ceived in believing that the dis ease
has been cured, and that the parasites
have died or gone. They are simply
less active and confine themselves
more to the surface during the milder
weather, and with the return of fall
or winter, they will be found again
doing business at the old stand.
The damage done by this disease
is considerable, and in order to con-
duct the cattle industry pro6tably,
it is necessary to take the proper
steps toward its cure or prevention.
Animals affected by scab, usually
are 'poor doers," because instead of
keeping themselves busy feeding
they hang around fences and gate
posts, rubbing themfelves, or they
are for tie greater part Of The day
engrged in licking each other. When
the hair has fallen out over large
portion Of the body, the condition
becomes still more serious, because
during our rigorous winter weather,
the animals doubly need the protec-
tion of the hairy coat, and when
thus denuded they suffer much from
exposure and frequently die from
its effects. Animals deprived of their
natural protection and reduced in
condition by not taking sufficient
food are not only not profitable, but
are lpredisposed to numerous other
diseases, by having lost their in
trinsic power OF resistance.
Tie bad effects of the disease are
especially felt when it attacks range
cattle, which are usually thrown on
their own resources for the larger
portion of the year.
The dieease is quite prevalent in
the western part of the state, but is
also met with in all other parts OF
the state to greater or lesser ex-
tent. The seriousness of its nature
makes a systematic campaign against
it desirable. The best results in that
line can be accomplished by the
universal application of the process
known as dipping. In dealing with
this condition half measures are of
no value and thoroughness is to be
recommended.
The dipping of cattle requires
little outlay Of money for a plant,
but where community of farmers
cooperate, the individual expense is
but slight, and nothing in compari-
son to the benefit derived from It.
The cost Of small dipping plant is
about $3.50, and for large SWIM
ming tank, such as is required for
the dipping of large numbers Of
range cattle $3.50 will be necessary.
Those figures are taken from bulletin
No. 40 of the Bureau of Animal
Industry.
For dipping various fluids are
recommended. Some are better
than others. The one especially
recommended by the Bureau of