HC Deb 09 April 1913 vol 51 cc1177-8
68. Mr. CHARLES BATHURST

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the intestinal parasitic disease known as strongylus contortus is again very prevalent among sheep in the south-eastern counties and is causing considerable mortality; whether, in the opinion of the Board, doses of turpentine prove an effective cure for this disease, or, if not, whether there is any other drug that does; and whether the Board will publish in the provincial papers some advice as to its treatment in those counties where it is most prevalent?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I am aware of the prevalence of the disease to which the hon. Member refers. In the opinion of the Board's veterinary advisers the use of turpentine in sufficient doses to have a therapeutic value would be very dangerous, and the Board are unable at present, pending the result of investigations now in progress, to advise a remedy for the disease.