The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-08-16
NEW CATTLE DISEASE
APPEARS IN MISSOURI.
"Scnbfes," Caused by Parasite, I'm
known In This State TIL Recent.
Iy, Threatens Losses.
REPCBLIC SPECIAL.

REPIBLIC SPECIAL.
Columbia, Mo-, Aug. ia new cattle dis
ease has appeared in Missouri. and the
danger of its becoming prevalent through
out the State has caused the Missouri State
Board of Agriculture. of which George b.
Ellis of Columbia. is secretary. to make
an investigation. and it is prescribing rem
edies to farmers, whose stock is affected.
The new disease is known scientifically as
psoroptlc sea hies. although it is known pro-
vlnclally by...a number of different names.
tie Itch" The cause of the disease is
very small parasite, so small that it can
1t may be present in very large numbers
on the affected cow By use of the magni-
ng-glasS 1t may be detected In large
numbers. If piece of the diseased skin is
placed in clean, thin bottle and kept in
warm place. Tor few hours. the small
white mites will crawl out and can be seen
1t is estimated that under favorable con-
Gltions, each female viii, in ninety days,
produce i,ovO.GIJ individuals. The eggs hatch
IN about seven Gays. and fourteen days
after Matching the young begin to lay
eggs.
This disease was unknown in Missouri un-
VI year ago, when a large number OF
range cattle were brought into the State
and brought the disease with them II is
Iemarkabie fact that the scapiss do not at
tack cattle that are well fed preferrins
those that have had poor pasturage ana are
very thin. In warm weather the parasite
Is not SO prevalent as IN cold weather.
THE SYMPTOMS
The first symptoms noticed are intense
itching of the skin and shedding of the hair
on infected areas. The symptoms are much
increase In proportion to the number OF
parasites. Young ard debiIitated cattle suf-
fer much more than Older and fat cattle.
When the itching sets in the animal begin,
by licking and biting itself. and later will
rub violently against any accessible object.
The hair is rubbed off and the skin be-
covered with a gummy exudate. The rub
bling on rough objects, such as barbcd-wire
fences. l. often so violent as to tear the
skin and cause 1t to bleed.
1t takes SO much time for the affected an
imal to scratch that it has little time left
In which to eat. ard this. with the constant
flesh. Nearly all Of the hair may be rubbed
off the body, leaving the animal no protec-
ton against the cold. The loss by actual
death from this disease. however. does not
amount to SO much as from the loss of con-
dition.
THE CURE.
The directions given by the veterinarians
of the State Board of Agriculture for the
cure of this disease is as follows:
THE treatment of scabies consists in the
NAL of some preparation that will kill the
parasite The mite of scabies is not hard
10 XIII. anu tnere are NUMBER OF rene
dies which are very efficient in the treat
ment of the disease. Creolin and chloro-
naphtholeum. which are coal-tar products.
are both deadly to the parasite OF scabies
and are harmless remedies. Either of these
should be used in the strength of one part
to twenty or twenty-five of water.
ANY patent sheep dip that will cure scab
in sheep when applied according to direc-
tons. for dipping sheep will cure the sea-
bies in cattle.
Probably the most economic dip. and the
one that is uniform and reliable in its re-
suits, Is what is known as the lime-and-
sulphur dip. Ling and sulphur are dis
solved in water in different proportions. but
the following formula is proba blysthe best
Flowers of sulphur. twenty-One pounds; un-
slaked lime, sixteen and three-Quarters
pounds: water. 100 gallons.
Carefully weigh out the lime and sui
phur and do not guess at the weight of
either Use exactly twenty-one pounds of
sulphur and sixteen and three-quarters Of
lime for each 100 gallons of dip needed.
Stake the lime in large kettle, and add
enough water to make a paste. Sift the
sulphur in this paste and mix thoroughly
Add twenty-five to thirty gallons Of water
and boil the mixture for two hours. Allow
It to cool and settle over night, and draw
Off the liquid, being careful not to stir up
the settings. Add enough water to make
100 gallons"