The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-03-07
WOuldStart
BattleAgainst
Stock Disease
Liver Flukes Are Causing
Loss to Stockmen in Parts
Of Lincoln County.
GOVERNMENT TO
AID IN CAMPAIGN

According to letter received by the
county commissioners from DR.. John {.
Boyd, district deputy state veterinary
surgeon, there are certain districts in
Lincoln county that are heavily in
tested with liver flukes. This is respon
sible for a diseased condition of cattle
and sheep and results in a considerable
loss to stockmen DR.. Boyd asks the
commissioners to stand part of the ex-
pense in campaign to eradicate the
disease. The commissioners, in session
this week, concluded they could do
nothing in this respect until after the
beginning of the next fiscal year, on
July l. No provision had been made
in the present budget for the consider
able sum involved in the proposed
eradication and therefore there is no
source from which they could obtain
the money DIR. Boyd will be SO in
formed
The letter from DR.. Boyd explains the
situation regarding liver flukes, and
follows:
Kalispell, Feb. Is, 1885
Fl. E. Brink, Chairman
County Commissioners
Libby, Montana
Dear Mr. Brink:
| am writing to you at this time in
regard to a very serious situation IN
the live stock, cattle, sheep, deer and
elk in your county. Liver flukes have
been known by the old stock men for
years-and is becoming more severe
and more widely spread as the ranges
and meadows become more congested
The cattle buyers for most packing
houses are buying in your county with
the expectation Of losing $500 per head
for flukey livers. The stock men are
paying for this loss. The ranges known
to be liver fluke infested will not be
rented for sheep or cattle it other
places are available.
From certain districts in your county
rs per cent of the cattle when slaught-
cred reveal liver flukes and the liver
condemned.
Due to the present government IL
nancing set-up we will be able to get a
project to control this parasite whereby
| the above governments will furnish all
the necessary expenses, labor, etc, to
treat these infested areas-but will not
purchase the copper sulphate. Will it be
possible for your county to furnish the
necessary copper sulphate to cover the
| infested districts2 A similar project has
been set up in Flathead county where
the county commissioners have agreed
to furnish the necessary copper sui
plate for their county.
We are also planning this type o.
work in the adjoining counties, namely
Lake and Sanders. Similar projects
under the FERA are being worked II
other intermountain states.
In regard to copper sulphate in treat
ing infested areas we use the powdered
copper sulphate-broadcasti over we
area at an average rate of ID pound.
per acre-and the crystals at the rat'
of IL pounds per second flow OF waite
in streams.
From previous investigations ant
personal contact with this area, fee
that there would be approximate.
1000 acres to treat
DR.. L. E. Swanson, Bureau of Ami
NAL Industry, Washington, D. G., an
, mayself have made two trips, one re
{ Gently and one about three years age
through your district but unfortunatel
) we were unable to contact you IN per
son but did converse with several stoc
, men and butchers in your county. The
] are very much in favor of this program
{ Trusting you take this matter serl
I ously and give it due consideration.
Very truly yours,
JOHN c. BOYD,
District Deputy State Veterinar
Surgeon.