Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1904-05-28
TAPE-WoRM.
The Disease in Sheep and Its Proven.
ton.

INC O'SSdoS TT SUeSP anu l1S FTeVen'
ton.
(By DR.. L. Van Esq
Tape-worm diseases in sheep are
sufficiently common in the state to
deserve the attention of our wool and
mutton growers.
Lambs are most apt to become af-
fected and the poorer the conditions
under which they are kept the more
readily will they become victims.
The disease usually commences to
show itself early in the fall and devel-
ops so slowly that it escapes attention
for a long time. The first thing which
is usually noticed is the fact that the
lambs are not thrifty and are not
growing as we'll as they should. The
wool is flattened and wanting in yolk,
while the skin resembles paper to the
touch owing to the disappearance of
the simultaneous fat. In many cases
there are signs of intestinal disturb
ances such as diarrhoea alternating
with constipation. The animals be-
come potlbellied and frequently show
doughty swelling under the skin be-
meath the abdomen. The mucous
lamb becomes so weak that they are
scarcely able to follow the flock. In
some cases there are symptoms of
nervous origin which have caused dis
ease to be mistaken for loco-poisoning.
The animals finally become so weak
that they cannot keep on their feet
and soon succumb.
Close observers may find tape-worm
segments in the droppings, but they
. are not always easily found.
While the above mentioned symp-
toms lead one to suspect tape-worm
, disease there always is an element Of
uncertainty as to it's true nature.
In such cases it may be advisable
to kill one of the sick lambs for post
norton examination. The worms may
then be found in the intestines or in
the case of the more common tape
worm of North Dakota in the gall
bladder.
In this, like in most other communi-
cable diseases, prevention is of more
practical value than cure because the
different tape-worm remedies are not
always effective while the administra-
ton of medicine to large flocks is i'm
| practicable and in at least one of the
tape-worms Of this state the parasite
| leaves the intestine and inhabits the
parts where it is completely out of
reach of any medicine, no matter how
powerful it may be.
| Like many forms of low animal life
the tape worms undergo some distinct
stages of development before they
make their appearance as adult worms
and the immature forms always in
| HAUL SUuc OLuSI du1ud1.
In many tape-worms the whole Life.
history is known and this knowledge
is used to an advantage in preventing
the spread of the parasites.
In the case of the tape-worms affect.
ing sheep in this state, however, the
life-history is not understood. Never.
theless, there are strong reasons to be.
live that the most Of the larvae Of our
sheep tape-worms to be found among
the lower animals inhahting ponds
low places and marshy pastures and
that they are conveyed by means Oh
the food (grass) or drinking water to
the intestines of the grazing sheep
where the young worms may complete
their life cycle. On this suspicion the
4 following advice may be based:
i Lambs should be kept away from
pastures in which the disease occur
red during the previous season. On
farms where crop rotation is possible
1t seems advisable to frequently break
the pastures. Using the same pasture
on which the disease has occurred
year after year Is dangerous. +.
! Drainage Of low and marshy places
is advisable wherever this can be
done. When drainage is not possible
such places should be avoided in herd.
ing and for hay making.
The drinking water is Of the utmost
Importance. Good well water free
from surface contamination should be
provided. Ponds, bitches and pools
are apt to contain the immature forms
az tape-worms. 5%ls. s5ssf
Water q well o grain feed should