ABSTRACTS
371
Die Stallrotkrankheit des Rindes. (Chronic Haematuria of cattle.)
SCHLEGAL, M. (1934). Munch. Tierartz Wchft. 85, pp. 389-393, pp. 404,
408, and pp. 416-421 (with 7 illustrations).
In continuation of his first two articles of this series (Abstract in this Journal
6, 305), the author records observations upon aspects of heamaturia. In the light
of the existing knowledge upon the mineral metabolism, role of vitamins, blood cons-
tituents and the physiological mechanism of clotting and retardation of clotting
of blood of normal cattle, each of which has been discussed in detail, the author
attempts to explain the causation of the disease and suggests tentative measures of
control. The calcium and phosphorus content of blood serum of some healthy and
17 haematuria cases are estimated, and the figures from all the diseased animals are
found to be low compared to the normals. The lowest, highest and the average values
of calcium in haematuria are given as 6.95, 9.97, and 8.46 mg. per cent respectively
and the corresponding figures of phosphoric acid as 11.8, 15.15, and 13.51 mg. per
cent.
On supplements of calcium and vitamins being given to the affected, these
figures showed a rise, contrary to the case of the untreated controls—the calcium
content of one of these controls dwindling down almost to zero. In spite of the favour-
able Ca : P ratio secured by supplements, some of the treated cases were found to be
incurable, and the author ascribes this to the presence of advanced lesions in the kid-
ney and the urinary bladder. Smears from the jugular blood were stained by different
methods, and incomplete staining, the presence of broken erythrocytes, cells of unequal
size, anisocytosis, and presence of diffuse basophile granules in red cells were noticed.
Lymphycytes, basophile and acidophile cells were found to be normal but a consider-
able increase of the neutrophile leucocytes was observed. These examinations were
carried out at weekly or fortnightly intervals during the whole course of the disease.
While a gradual fall in erythrocyte count was recorded with the advance of the disease,
normal values were regained by either effective treatment or removal from notorious
localities. Cultural examination of the blood and urine for the presence of pathogenic
bacteria and protozoa was carried out on various media under varying conditions
but only negative results were obtained. In haematuria, the haemoglobin content
of blood varied from 30 to 60 per cent of the normal. The blood was found to be
more fluid with decreased coagulability, and this is ascribed to the calcium decrease,
and absence of thrombogen and thrombokinase, which are destroyed by some toxic
irritants from plants, which reduce the tone and elasticity of the blood vessels of the
urinary system as a result of the paralysis of the vasoconstrictor nerves. The toxic
substances mentioned are anemonin-camphor—the active principle of certain
Ranunculaceae and of Caltha palustris.
Regarding the cure and control of the disease, the provision of fodder sufficiently
rich in calcium and vitamins with the addition of large quantities of molasses has
been recommended. Artificial manuring and dressing of soil, and drainage of land
are suggested. Twenty-eight cows and five oxen, subjects of haematuria, were treated
with different proprietary preparations including Vigantol, Chemosan. Clauden.
Stryphnon, Vitakalk, etc. The action of Stryphnon was found to be comparable
with that of Adrenalin in this disease, but more lasting results were obtained. Doses
of 10, 20 and 40 c.c. of 1 per cent solution were given subcutaneously. E. Merck's