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S.
G. IYER AND Z. A. HASHMI
thumbs and fingers and all the fibres are brought
parallel to one another. The spreading out is done to
the same extent as in the standard print (Plate XIV).
This resultant sample must present an homogeneous
appearance. It is placed in an enamelled tray and
covered by glass to press down the fibres. Benzol
is then poured in the tray, till the sample is immersed.
By comparing the intensity of whiteness of the sample
with the standards, the medullation is estimated.
By using a suitable size of tray (8 in. ×10 in. × 1 in.),
10 to 15 samples can be examined at a time.
A single hand can easily test 100 to 150 samples in a
day. Average medullation in a single fleece can
be worked out by testing eight to ten representative
samples taken from different parts of the body of a
sheep. To begin with, testing of the shoulder sample
is enough for classing and culling sheep under village
conditions.
SUMMARY
With a view to guide field workers a simple rapid
test to estimate approximately the medullation i n
wool has been devised.
The test is based on the fact that a clean sample
of wool, when placed under benzol exhibits an
intensity of whiteness in proportion to the amount
of medullation in the sample.
AVIAN LEUCOSIS COMPLEX (FOWLD-PARALYSIS) IN INDIA
By S. 6. IYER and Z. A. HASHMI, Poultry Research Section, Imperial Veterinary Research Institute
Izatnagar
(Received for publication on 17 September 1945)
(With Plates XV-XVII)
THE veterinary literature in this country contains
records of paralysis in fowls attributed to a number
of different causes, such as nutritional deficiencies
[Mohey-Deen, 1933 ; Bachan Singh, 1940 ; Mahajan,
1934], neurolymphomatosis [Krishniengar, 1937 ;
Naidu, 1938], and Ranikhet disease [Kaura and
Iyer, 1937]. While reviewing these cases, Kaura
[1941] remarked that 'unfortunately very little
trouble has been taken to differentiate and classify
the various types of paralysis and that the simul-
taneous occurrence of true fowld-paralysis in the same
bird where some other diagnosis has been given has
been overlooked '. A systematic survey was, there-
fore, undertaken to investigate the incidence and
distribution of this disease in the country.
SURVEY
The first case diagnosed was a hen received in the
laboratory for post-mortem examination in April
1941. Since then, the disease in its diverse forms
has been diagnosed in Bombay, the Punjab, Hydera-
bad (Dn), the United Provinces, Central Provinces,
Cochin, Mysore and Madras. Both sexes and all the
common breeds as well as their crosses were seen to
be affected. The survey was, however, confined
to the organized farms only and little information
is available about the incidence in village flocks.
FIELD OBSERVATIONS
The prevalence of the disease was first investigated
on a small commercial farm, which was started in
1936 with about 100 birds, and has been subjected
to considerable in-breeding. In 1942, there were
about 60 birds, mostly of White Leghorn and
Rhode Island Red breeds. The fertility, hatchability
and viability records were unsatisfactory. Mortality
was high, deaths occurring at irregular intervals
Typical cases of leucosis were diagnosed which were
later confirmed as (lymphoid) leucosis on histolo-
gical examination. The affected fowls went light
and ultimately lost control of their limbs. Lanieness
started as a jerky walk, followed by inability to use
one or both limbs, with the characteristic clutching
appearance of the claws. As the disease advanced
the fowls were unable to move and lay in a helpless
condition, often with one leg stretched in front and
the other behind (Plate XV, fig. 1). Drooping of on
or both wings and twitching of the neck and head
were also seen. Occasionally the eyes were affected
the pupil in such cases becoming distorted and the
iris losing its pigment and power to expand or con
tract. The appetite and general appearance wen
unaltered even in the last stages of the disease. In
some fowls diarrhœa was noticed in the later stages
In another flock, where records of mortality from
this condition were maintained over a period of three
years (1941-44), the disease persisted year after
year, prevailing at all seasons. The losses, thought
small, occurred at irregular intervals. Of 54
mature fowls, which died or were killed during the
above period, leucosis was diagnosed post-mortem
in 139 or 25.6 per cent.
In another area, one of us recognized the diseas
in widely-separated localities. Investigation reveale
that the foundation stock at all these places wa
obtained from one central farm. Dead and l i vi ng
fowls obtained from the latter showed evidence o
leucosis.