NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
MINERAL ASSIMILATION FROM TWO TYPICAL FODDERS
111
TABLE IV.
Results of two years compared.
Bolarum hay .
Ragi straw .
Jouar hay .
.
Rice straw .
CaO (in grams per day)
Intake
41.17
57.99
16.02
24.91
Excretion
41.09
55.69
13.40
27.33
Balance
+0.08
+2.30
+2.62
—2.42
P 2 O 5 (in grams per day)
Intake
6.64
12.72
17.70
11.14
Excretion
9.82
12.67
14.59
11.05
Balance
—3.18
+0.05
+3.11
+0.09
It should be remarked that these figures are the averages obtained from
numerous tests with several animals and must be significant.
It appears that if the ration provides a sufficient excess of lime there will be some
assimilation even if the phosphoric acid content is low (See results of Ragi straw and
Bolarum hay tests published last year). On the other hand, if the lime provided is
only moderate in amount it will not be assimilated unless there is an excess of
phosphoric acid (Rice straw). Further, the Jouar figures show that even when lime
is low, assimilation can occur if excess of phosphoric acid is present.
Second Period:—Fodder with calcium phosphate supplement.
The mineral balances obtained with the supplemented rations are shown in the
table given below:—
TABLE V.
Second Period.—(Fodder with calcium phosphate supplement).
1 . .
2 . .
Jouar hay
In grams per day
Intake . .
Excretion . .
Balance . .
Intake . .
Excretion . .
Balance . .
Average . .
CaO
22.91
18.29
+4.62
19.99
19.18
+0.81
+2.72
P 2 O 5
20.91
17.81
+3.10
18.75
17.74
+ 1.01
+2.06
Rice straw
In grams per
day
Intake . .
Excretion . .
Balance . .
Intake .
Excretion . .
Balance . .
Average . .
CaO
30.93
29.47
+ 1.46
29.32
29.31
+0.01
+0.74
P 2 O 5
18.92
11.90
+7.02
18.32
16.52
+ 1.80
+4.41
In these experiments the animals received 20 grams calcium phosphate.
112 THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY [ IV, II.
It may be said that the supplement has had practically no effect on mineral
assimilation with the Jouar ration. Judging by what has been said above, this is
perhaps not surprising, for, in the first place, the phosphoric acid balance was
positive without the aid of the supplement and therefore added phosphoric acid was
not likely to stimulate assimilation to a marked degree; secondly, the lime in the
ration, though enhanced by the supplement, is still somewhat low and perhaps
insufficient for greatly increased assimilation to take place. With the rice straw
ration there has been a marked increase in the phosphoric acid assimilation, but the
lime assimilation has not been improved materially. In this respect the result
differs from last year's feedings, where addition of calcium phosphate caused a
distinct rise in the lime assimilation from the Bolarum hay ration. It is true that
Bolarum hay actually provided more lime but this explanation fails when we recollect
that lime is readily assimilated from Jouar. It has to be concluded, therefore, that
for some reason, lime is not very readily assimilated from rice straw. Possibly this
may be due to the absence of appropriate vitamins.
Third Period:—Fodder with mineral and green grass supplements.
The results of the balance experiments carried out during the third period are
shown in Table VI.
TABLE VI.
Third Period,—(Fodder with mineral and green grass supplements).
1
.
.{
2
.
.{
3
.
.{
4 . .{
Jouar hay
In grams per day
Intake . .
Excretion . .
Balance. .
Intake . .
Excretion . .
Balance . .
Intake . .
Excretion . .
Balance . .
Intake . .
Excretion . .
Balance . .
Average . .
CaO
27.37
24.00
+3.37
35.31
31.11
+4.20
29.63
22.17
+7.46
26.23
21.01
+5.22
+5.06
P 2 O 5
21.97
21.30
+ 0.67
22.66
19.34
+3.32
17.39
15.01
+2.38
15.26
13.92
+1.34
+1.93
Rice straw
In grams per day
Intake . .
Excretion . .
Balance . .
Intake
Excretion . .
Balance . .
Intake . .
Excretion . .
Balance . .
Intake . .
Excretion . .
Balance . .
Average . .
CaO
35.56
32.92
+2.64
38.23
34.05
+4.18
38.45
32.49
+5.96
39.52
41.12
—1.60
+2.80
P 2 O 5
21.46
17.92
+3.54
23.61
21.75
+1.86
25.13
20.79
+4.34
23.45
21.99
+1.46
+2.80
In these experiments the animals received 20 grams of calcium phosphate and green fodder.
MINERAL ASSIMILATION FROM TWO TYPICAL FODDERS
113
It will be recollected that the evidence regarding the influence of green grass
was not clear in the last year's tests. In the present tests there is a similar difficulty,
but there seems to be some evidence of a positive effect. It is. evident, in the first
place, that lime assimilation has been definitely enhanced for both rations by the
addition of green fodder. But the green fodder has added considerably to the total
lime intake and the increased assimilation might be accounted for by this increased
intake without having to assume vitamin intervention. Actually the figures show
a regular increase in assimilation upto a maximum and this increased assimilation
is not due to increased intake. What is the cause of this increase up to a maxi-
mum ? It may be a vitamin effect.
CONCLUSIONS AND SUMMARY.
Experiments on mineral assimilation indicate that the assimilation of lime is
dependent to a considerable extent upon the intake. There is evidence to show,
further, that assimilation of lime is materially influenced by phosphoric acid. A
ration with low lime content can induce lime assimilation if phosphoric aid is present
in sufficient amount. Finally, the addition of green grass led to increased lime assi-
milation. This may be accounted for by the extra lime introduced into the ration
with the green food, but there is some suggestion of an additional vitamin effect.
Concerning the two fodders tested, Jouar hay, though low in lime content, induced
assimilation of lime and phosphoric acid ; Rice straw gave negative lime balances
and this balance was not satisfactorily rectified by a mineral supplement. There is
an indication that lime is not readily assimilated from the type of rice straw used in
our tests.
REFERENCE.
Warth, F. J., Viswauatha Iyer, A. and Krishna Ayyar, N. (1932) Indian Journal of Veteri-
nary Science and Animal Husbandry, 2, 325-332.
TREATMENT OF FOLLICULAR MANGE IN DOGS *
BY
S. K. SEN, M.Sc., F.R.E.S.,
Imperial Institute of Veterinary Research, Muktesar.
(Received for publication on the 19th January 1934.)
Follicular mange occupies an almost unique position among the parasitic diseases
of live-stock in that the parasites concerned (Demodex folliculorum) in the production
of this condition secure a position in the body of their hosts which is neither suffi-
ciently superficial to be accessable to any of the chemicals ordinarily used in comba-
ting other forms of skin affections, nor sufficiently deep-seated to be reached by a
chemotherapeutic agent when introduced into the circulatory system of the host.
In the matter of the location of the parasites, the disease therefore presents a feature
which is not shared by any other parasitic disease, and this fact has led most
authors to declare the condition as not being amenable to any of the known forms of
treatment. In the case of the canine species in particular, follicular mange is liable
to attain a considerable degree of pathogenicity not only by reason of the symptoms
specific to the disease itself, but also by reason of the complications which are likely
to arise as a result of the introduction of Staphylococcus pyogenes albus along with
the invading mites, and in spite of the amazingly large number of remedies that
have been tested in the treatment of this condition, the actual prospects of cure
cannot be regarded as having substantially improved. As Craig [1923 ; in Woold¬
ridge, Vol. I] tersely puts it, " a large number of methods and applications have been
adopted from time to time ; a few cases may recover, and the method then enjoys a
brief popularity ".'
Nevertheless, now and again, one comes across reports in periodicals claiming
surprisingly good results from the use of remedies which previous experience had
shown to be practically valueless in the treatment of the disease, and this would lead
one to the conclusion that, at any rate, a proportion of the reported failures to effect
a cure may in reality have been due not so much to the inefficacy of the remedy
itself as to the method and duration of the application of the remedy. This view
would seem to find some support in a statement made by Müller and Glass [1929] in
their classical work entitled " Diseases of the Dog ", for according to these authors
" the nature of the remedy is not as important as the manner or method of appli¬
* Being a paper read at the Indian Science Congress, Bombay, January 1934.
( 114 )
TREATMENT OF FOLLICULAR MANGE IN DOGS
115
cation and, above all, patience and persistence". Similarly, according to Schin¬
delka [cited by Hutyra and Marek, 1926], " many more dogs may be cured by exer
cising sufficient patience and perseverence than is commonly assumed". It has,
therefore seemed to the present writer that the position in regard to the curative
treatment of follicular mange is not quite so hopeless as it has generally been made
out to be and that there is a genuine field for more intensive trials with some of the
remedies already recommended, In what follows it is proposed to do no more than
to " take stock " of these remedies, with brief remarks at relevant points as to which
of these remedies in the opinion of the present writer holds out the largest promise of
success in the treatment of follicular mange in general and in dogs in particular.
A perusal of the available literature shows that the treatment of follicular mange
in dogs, and in other species of animals, has been attempted along four different
routes, as briefly indicated below.
I. DRESSINGS.
The majority of the dressings so far recommended would appear to be of doubt
ful value and the results obtained by different workers from the use of one and the
same dressing have frequently been so contradictory that from these records it is
almost impossible to assess its true value as an acaricide. Hutyra and Marek
[1926], in dealing with the subject of follicular mange collectively (i.e., without
referring to the canine species in particular), list a large number of remedies that
have been recommended from time to time by different workers. Some of these
may be regarded as of quasi-mechanical character, being primarily designed to cause
a loosening of the skin and detachment of the horny plugs in the hair follicles.
Thus, one such remedy requires all fresh pustules to be squeezed out and later
bathed in a 5 per cent. solution of liver of sulphur, or again, the pustules may be
periodically fomented and rubbed with soap liniment, salicylated alcohol or salicylic
oil or a 10 per cent. lysol vasoliniment. Hutyra and Marek also mention Peruvian
balsam and Perugen (which latter is presumably a modification of Peruvian balsam),
the former being mixed with alcohol before application and the latter applied in the
form of an ointment in a strength of 10 to 20 per cent. So far as Peruvian balsam
is concerned, it would appear to have been used with a considerable degree of success
by a number of workers, and from these reports it would appear to be one of the
most effective remedies so far introduced for the treatment of follicular mange of
dogs. The authors also refer to two preparations of essential oils, one consisting of
caraway oil (ol. carvi and alcohol āā 10 gm., ol. ricini 150 gm.) and the other of sali
cylated oil (1 part salicylic acid dissolved in 30 to 40 parts of warm oil), whilst the
ointments mentioned by them include corrosive sublimate ointment (1 : 100) carbolic
ointment (1: 10); a diluted ointment of cantharides (1:6 parts of lard) combined
116 THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY [ IV, II.
with a bath in liver of sulphur solution; and an ointment made of 20 gm. napthol,
0.25 gm. corrosive sublimate and 100 gm. lanoline, applied as a dressing after the
affected parts have been bathed in liver of sulphur solution and then washed several
times a day with lukewarm cresol emulsion. A somewhat unusual method of treat
ment referred to by Hutyra and Marek consists of pressing of pads of carbon bisul
phide upon the affected parts after the latter have been prepared properly, this being
followed by the application of a paste of formalin (formaldehyde 1 to 3, vaseline 50,
zinc oxide and powdered starch āā 25). Of the comparatively simple remedies,
Hutyra and Marek mention the application of creolin or ichthyol (with alcohol āā)
and bathing in 1 per cent. solution of corrosive sublimate at 37°C. for 8 or 10
minutes (leaving the head free from the bathing fluid). The application of a lini
ment of soap and alcohol āā 100.0 gm. and 0.5 gm. potassium hydroxide is also
reported to have yielded encouraging results. Finally, they quote Brandl and
Gmeiner as having found liquor cresolis saponatus most effective, although Hutyra
and Marek themselves failed to obtain confirmation of these findings.
Craig [in Wooldridge, 1923], although admitting the futility of measures
hitherto recommended for combating follicular mange in dogs, refers to some succes¬
ful results having been obtained in the treatment of this condition from the use of
autogenous vaccines and also by the hypodermic injection of Nuclein in the propor
tion of a minim per 1 lb. body-weight, once a week. Good results are also reported
to have been obtained with various iodine preparations, such as Tr. Iodi applied
twice a week. Craig quotes Hunting as having recommended a dressing made as
follows:—
Creosote.. 1 part.
Liquor Potassae, 2 parts.
01. Olivae, 14 parts.
The above dressing is applied every third or fourth day. Varying degrees of
success are reported to have been obtained from the daily application, with a rag or
brush, of a 2½ to 5 per cent. zinc chloride solution in water after the affected parts
have been washed and dried. The use of a dressing of collodion and iodoform, with
the object of asphyxiating the parasites, has also been recommended. A daily
application of the following dressing has also been found beneficial:—
01. Carui,
Alcohol āā 1 part,
01. Ricini 15 parts,
combined with a weekly bath in a 1 per cent. solution of potassium sulphide,
TREATMENT OF FOLLICULAR MANGE IN DOGS
117
Müller and Glass (l.c.) differentiate the method of treatment to be adopted for
the pustular and the squamous forms of follicular mange in dogs. In the former,
they recommend, in particular, Peruvian balsam or warm preparations of salicylic
acid (1 part of salicylic acid to 40 parts of olive oil) or styrax (in oil solution). In
the squamous form, they emphasize the desirability of endeavouring to reach the
parasites by systematic rubbing with acid ointments or strong concentrated salicylic
ointments (1 to 5), and also with soft soap and lye, and after the scabs and scales
have been removed, the same treatment as prescribed in the pustular form may be
applied. Besides, they mention a number of other remedies without, however,
commenting on their actual efficacy for follicular mange. Their list of these reme-
dies is reproduced below:—Cerate of cantharides and lard, 1 to 6 ; tincture of iodine
and chloroform; oil of turpentine and chloroform; oleum petrae and alcohol;
endermol, 1 per cent. solution; zymoidin in the form of ointment; silver nitrate,
5 per cent. solution; ichthargen, 10 per cent. solution alternated with iodine 10 per
cent., and tar 25 per cent., each well rubbed in; formaline 2 per cent. solution;
dermaform, oleoformaldehyde; creolin and alcohol, equal parts; liquor creositi
saponis; creosote diluted with alcohol or sweet oil; oil of juniper; xeroform;
carbonate of sulphur as a bath and then frequent applications with the powder and
followed by an ointment, formaline 3.0, vaseline 50.0, oxide of zinc and almond
powder, each 24.0.
Aruch [1922] claims to have obtained " excellent" results in the treatment of
demodectic mange in dogs with the following method:—The coat is brushed and
thoroughly washed daily with tepid water, soap and creolin. In the case of dry
coat, it is rubbed with cotton wool soaked in ether and this is followed by a second
rubbing with ether containing 1—2 per cent. iodine, or 0.25 per cent. thymol, or
1 per cent. salicylic acid (but iodine is preferable). "When the entire body is affected,
it is advisable to divide it in 3 to 5 areas for consecutive treatment.
Barat [1926] recommends the following formula for the treatment of demodectic
mange in canines :—
Carbolic acid, 10 grm.
Ether, 250 grm.
Chaulmoogra oil, 750 grm.
The animals are not washed during treatment. The application is made daily,
without friction, for 5 or 6 days and then every 2 or 3 days, until hair begins to
grow and treated cases are cleaned once a week with camphorated oil. A period of
3 to 6 weeks is usually necessary to obtain a cure.
118 THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY [IV, II.
Alston [1933] reports having obtained marked success with the following
method of treatment even in advanced cases of follicular mange in dogs:—The
affected animal is washed in home-made lye soap and allowed to dry. It is then
thoroughly massaged with a dressing made of
Lard, 1 part.
Sulphur, 1 part.
Phenol, added to make about 5 per cent. of the mass.
The massage is repeated once a week until 7 or 8 applications have been given.
The method would seem to merit trials in this country, in view of the ease with
which the remedy could be applied by the average dog-owner.
In a recent article, Crane [1933] gives the protocols of 13 dogs, in various stages
of infection with follicular mange, treated with a compound containing rotenone
(the parasiticidal constituent of Derris plants) as its active principle, the formula for
this compound being as follows :—
Rotenone, 1 grm.
Alcohol, 50 c.c.
Acetone, 10 c.c.
"Water, 40 c.c.
The rotenone is dissolved in acetone before adding the alcohol and water (as
water does not dissolve rotenone and is used merely as a vehicle) and the resulting
liquid is then stored in bottles which should be shaken before each application. The
liquid is rubbed in vigorously over the affected parts, the application being made
daily or three times a week (depending upon the nature and extent of infection).
The results obtained in the treatment of the 13 dogs mentioned above would appear
to have been surprisingly good, for " in eleven out of the thirteen cases in which it
was used, rotenone caused an unusually rapid recovery from follicular mange. The
remaining two cases recovered in the time usually necessary for the standard
remedies. These cases included several which had not responded to the citrine
ointment dressing which is the standard treatment in the Small Animal Clinic. It
has the additional advantages of being entirely non-toxic and not greasy or dirty
to apply ". An examination of the actual protocols of these dogs shows that the
period taken to obtain complete recovery ranged from 12 days to about eight weeks
and that in a few instances, one-half per cent., instead of the one per cent., solution
of rotenone was used. Judged by these results, rotenone would appear to hold out
the largest promise of success in the treatment of follicular mange of dogs and
doubtless merits extended trials in this country.
TREATMENT OF FOLLICULAR MANGE IN DOGS
119
Stephenson [1933] recommends the following procedure for the treatment of
follicular mange in " small animals " (without, however, making any special mention
of the cannine species):—
" First, make a microscopic examination of skin scrapings and the contents of
the pustules."
" Second, clean well with chloroform.
" Third, give mixed bacterin twice weekly.
" Fourth, give calcium sulphide internally.
" Fifth, wash once or twice weekly with crudol preparation containing sulphides;
in some cases alternate with chaulmoogra oil compound every five days.
" Sixth, apply 20 per cent. silver nitrate solution to affected areas every 10 days
until three treatments have been given.
Of the proprietary remedies so far introduced into the field for the treatment of
follicular mange in dogs, mention may be made of the preparation "Odylen",
which, although claimed by its manufacturers (Bayer Co., Germany) as being
efficacious for all forms of mange, is particularly recommended by them for use in
the treatment of follicular mange of dogs and other animals. The drug is rubbed
in well over the affected parts and it is stated that 3 or 4 applications of the drug,
at intervals of 5 to 6 days, are necessary to obtain a cure. It is further stated that
the drug " has been found extremely useful in the treatment of follicular mange in
dogs" when used in conjunction with injections (subcutaneous, intramuscular or
intravenous) of " Aricyl" which, too, is a product of the same firm.
Some mention may be made of the dressings that have been used with varying
degrees of success in the treatment of follicular mange in animals other than the
dog, for some of these may be found suitable for the canine species as well.
Holmes [1920] recommends a combination of calcium sulphide and horse fat for
the use in the treatment of follicular mange in the horse, the calcium sulphide being
made as follows :—2¼. lb. of sulphur and 1 lb. of quicklime are mixed together dry
in a large bucket and hot water is gradually added, until the mixture is reduced to
an even paste. The contents are then made up to 2 gallons with more water and
boiled for about 3 hours until a reddish-brown solution is formed ; this is then made
up again to 2 gallons with water. One gallon calcium sulphide solution, 2 gallons
water and 2 gallons horse fat are now well mixed together and applied over the
affected parts, the compound being maintained at a temperature of 100°F. during
the process of application.
C
120 THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY [ IV, II.
Kappel [1925] reports having cured a case of demodectic mange in sheep by the
repeated applications of equal parts of Sapoformol and water, although liniment
of sulphur, creoline and oil (1 :1 : 5) had no effect in this case.
II. FUMIGATION.
The possibilities of fumigation as a method of combating follicular mange do
not appear to have been explored to the same extent as it has been done in the case
of other forms of mange, notably in the case of scabies of the horse, where the
method has been declared as " reliable, quickly effective, even on horses that are so
far scabby that attempts at treatment are useless" [Hutyra and Marek, 1926].
While it is true that gas treatment can hardly be regarded as holding out much
promise of success in affecting the parasites, imbedded as they are in the deeper
layers of the skin, nevertheless, Uebele [cited by Hutyra and Marek, 1926] reports
having obtained "surprisingly good results" after the administration of ozone
which was directed to the affected parts through a tube from an ozone apparatus,
although the animal manifested great pain.
III. DRUG INJECTIONS.
Nicolas [cited by Hutyra and Marek, 1926] recommends the injection of a 2 to
2½ per cent. carbolic acid solution into the depths of the skin (not under the skin),
both in the affected parts and in the neighbourhood, the efficacy of this method
of treatment being endorsed by Hutyra and Marek themselves and also by Craig
(l.c.). It is of interest that Hardenbergh and Schlotthauer [1925] claim to have
effected cure in a goat attacked with the pustular form of follicular mange by open-
ing the nodules, emptying and destroying the contents and injecting into them a
few drops of 10 per cent. carbolic acid and painting the immediate area with iodine.
" The treatment was thoroughly carried out. About three weeks later only the
remnants of two or three nodules could be found. Healing had taken place so that
the previous site of the nodules could not be found ".
IV. RADIANT THERAPY.
A form of treatment against follicular mange which has now come to be
regarded with much favour is the so-called " Radiant Therapy". Motas would
appear to have been one of the earliest to use Roentgen rays with success in the
treatment of this condition, but Roussel found the method ineffective [Hutyra and
Marek, 1926]. However, the most convincing proof of the efficacy of this method
of treatment is afforded by the results of an intensive series of experiments carried