42
ABSTRACTS
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ABSTRACTS
Vitamins and calf diseases. By P. H. PHILIPS (1944). J. Amer. vet.
med. Assoc. 105, 39
R ECENT work at the University of Wisconsin shows that faulty nutrition of calves is
largely responsible for the high incidence and fatalities in scours, pneumonias, navel
infections and general unthriftiness and that the situation radically improves with
proper nutrition of calves. Insufficiency of vitamin A and nicotinic acid in the diet is
said to be one important cause of scour in calves (British workers have shown, however,
that lack of vitamin A is not a causal but a predisposing factor). Calves are lacking or
deficient in vitamin A at birth, and it is vital to their well-being and growth that
colostrum be available in adequate amounts not only as a rich source of vitamin A but
also of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), vitamin D and riboflavin. Severe vitamin A deficiency
is exhibited in symptoms of ' cold in the head' with cough and scour initially mild but
often progressing rapidly to a fatal outcome within 10 days of onset of symptoms ; mild
deficiency is shown in retarded growth, a rough coat and general unthriftiness. The
reserve of nicotinic acid in the new-born calf is just sufficient for the first few days of
life. Colostrum is poor in this factor, and as some little time must elapse before rumen
synthesis of the vitamin B group is established in the growing calf, and as the absorption
of vitamin A is to a large extent governed by an adequate supply of nicotinic acid in the
diet, the latter factor must be supplied in adequate amounts to calves at birth. Further
nicotinic acid maintains the muscular tonus of the digestive tract and thereby blood
circulation tonus of all the organs of digestion. Although the blood level of ascorpic
acid is high at birth, this factor is rapidly utilised within the first few days of life and the
calf must then rely on such supplies of this factor as are available in colostrum until, at
about the third week of life, the animal commences to make this essential factor within
its own tissues. The blood level of ascorbic acid is low in scours, calf pneumonias and
navel-ill and a liberal supplement to the diet is essential for the prevention and control
of these diseases. Rickets is occasionally seen in calves born the year when the available
sunshine is insufficient to irradiate the skin ergosterol the precursor of vitamin D. The
regular provision of the essential vitamins in the correct proportions is considered an effec-
tive insurance against the common diseases to which the new-born calf is subject withine
the first day of life. [ J. F. S]
Spread of Strptococcus Agalaetiae (Imperial Bureau of Animal Health, New Haw,
Weybridge, Surrey England—Review Series),
A STUDY of 16, 482 milk samples to find some explanation of the mode of spread of
Streptococcus agalactiae within dairy herd disclosed some disturbing information,
expecially with regard to the tests being used in making a diagnosis.
The main reservoir of Str. agalactiae is in, or on, the bovine udder. The hands of
milkers, and the utensils which they touch become contaminated, but quickly free them-
selves from this contamination when contact with infected cattle ceases.