File:Ewes and lambs infested with lice(GN01981).jpg

The infestation of sheep by body lice has been a perennial problem in flocks. The lice severely affect the quality and quantity of the wool clip, and hence have a major impact both on the sheep and the income they generate. The solution has been to dip sheep in an appropriately formulated solution. Outbreaks were often attributed to failure by farmers to treat their sheep with a suitable dip. One sign of lice infestation is the appearance of tufts of wool on fences, left by sheep trying to relieve the irritation caused by by the parasite. (See Observer, 13 October 1917, p5.)

In September 1917, three lice-infected sheep were exhibited at the Adelaide Show to demonstrate the ravages of the disease and the effectiveness of treatment in an effort to change the behaviour of farmers. (Register, 12 September 1917, p9)

There are images relating to lice infested sheep at GN01978-9, 1981, 1988-9, 1992. They appear to be related but the dates vary. GN01978-9, 1981, 1988-9, 1992 - these all refer to sheep infested with lice, see Index Box 6 Row 22. (G Brooks)