The relationship between the skin and some bacterial species occurring on it in the Merino.

Ten bacterial species were isolated from areas on the skin of Merino sheep affected by a chronic scaly condition leading to retarded wool growth. The growth requirements of the bacteria were studied and it was shown that they could multiply under the conditions prevailing on the skin if moisture was provided. All the bacteria isolated have the ability to stimulate the infiltration of round cells into the dermis, which is the essential feature of the pathological changes in the naturally affected skin. It was concluded that the bacteria have a decided aetiological role.