NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
December 1948]
UDE
SINGH
RAI
249
the 'dhand' by the month of September when the level of river-water falls down. Catla fry of very
small size (half an inch in length) were seen in large numbers in a part of the 'dhand' during the last
week of June, 1946. The tiny Catla fry grow and live in Khakhra 'dhand' from the time of hatching
till the next year. Most of the fry die in April, if not removed earlier. The death is brought about
due to the lack of oxygen in the 'dhand' water when decomposition of the organic matter takes place.
Most of the algae and other aquatic plants, viz., Potamogeton pectinatus, die during April on account
of the high concentration of salts in the 'dhand' water. By then, the fry or the fingerlings which
happen to survive, become ten to twelve months old, and when fresh water from the river enters
the 'dhand' during the month of June, the yearlings leave the 'dhand'. We get a fresh supply of
the fry from the eggs laid by Catla and other carps during the months June-July.
Adult Catla of the river, most probably, enter the 'dhand' due to their liking for the brackish
water, when the water-level of the river rises. The fields lying in between the river and the 'dhand'
serve as spawning ground for the adult Catla during the flow of water from the river to the 'dhand'.
The continuous supply of fresh water from the river keeps the temperature of 'dhand' water sufficiently
low, and helps the tiny fry, to a great extent, in its struggle for existence.
SUMMARY
Due to the restricted distribution of Catla in the rivers and streams of the Punjab, its spawning
has not so far been studied. The presence of Catla fry in large numbers in certain 'dhands' and pools
is an indication of the spawning of Catla in those places. Catla is not known to breed in confined
waters.
Catla fry formed 60 per cent of the fish population of Khakhra 'dhand'. It is not found anywhere
else in such a great number throughout the Punjab. Adult Catla is not present in this 'dhand' before
the spawning season. The spawning of Catla in this place is independent of the local rains. It
takes place during the month of June or July. The fields lying in between the river and the 'dhand'
are inundated when the level of Sutlej river-water rises due to the melting of snow and rains in the
hills.
Catla present in the river are most probably attracted by the saline water of the 'dhand', and
during their journey from the river to the 'dhand' they spawn in the inundated fields. The spent-up
Catla leave the 'dhand' when the water from the 'dhand' and the inundated fields recedes.
The temperature of the 'dhand' water remains suitable for the spawning of Catla, as it is kept
low by the inrush of fresh water from the river. The low temperature of the 'dhand' water also
helps the tiny fry in their struggle for existence during the hot months.
December 1948]
R.
RAMAKRISHNAN
253
undergone decomposition and complete softening approaching liquefaction. John Glaister [1945]
has mentioned in this connection, that arsenic quickly absorbed is stored in the liver and from there
it passes to general circulation. Although the intestinal tract eliminates some of the arsenic from
the body the kidneys are the principal excretory organs. From this it is evident that the liver is
the main reservoir of the chemical, from where it passes on to the kidneys and intestines through
circulation. The following Table from Glaister [1945] gives the distribution of Arsenic in the various
tissues and body fluids.
TABLE I
Distribution of arsenic in the various tissues and body fluids
Tissues
Brain . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stomach tissue . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stomach contents. . . . . . . . . . . .
Intestinal tissue. . . . . . . . . . . .
„
contents . . . . . . . . . . . .
Liver . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spleen. . . . . . . . . . . .
Kidney. . . . . . . . . . . .
Pancreas . . . . . . . . . . . .
Heart. . . . . . . . . . . .
Adrenals. . . . . . . . . . . .
Lungs. . . . . . . . . . . .
Urine. . . . . . . . . . . .
Bile. . . . . . . . . . . .
Total weight
received
Lbs.
3
0
0
3
1
4
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
Ozs.
1
13
14
6
12
3
4
9
4
12
0
3
0
1
drs.
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
0
6
0
Arsenic in tissues
Arsenic in
total weight
in grains
0.18
.143
5.18
1.29
5.88
2.33
0.009
0.103
0.002
0.011
0.004
0.026
0.004
0.003
Arsenic as
part per
million
.9
25.0
861.0
54.0
486.0
80.0
5.8
27.0
1.2
2.0
9.6
3.2
15.0
5.7
From the above Table I it is seen that the highest concentration is in the stomach contents
next in order the intestinal contents, liver, intestinal tissue, kidneys and stomach tissue. In all
the above organs and their contents the concentration ranges from about 25 to 860 parts per million.
In other tissues and fluids the concentration is below 15 parts per million.
It will thus be observed, that the degree of preservation in the different organs in this case is
in direct proportion to the amount of arsenic present except in the case of kidney, which was perhaps
putrified due to the acute nature of the poisoning, as evidenced by the sudden death, which might
have prevented the usual amount of the chemical going to the kidneys.
254 Arsenical Poisoning in an Exhumed Carcase [Vol. XVIII, Part IV,
SUMMARY
A case of poisoning of cattle with arsenic, where the carcase was exhumed after a period of six
weeks is recorded. The organs, like the liver, stomach, intestines, which are likely to contain a
considerable proportion of arsenic were found in a state of preservation.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I am grateful to Mr Hurley for his valuable suggestion, to Mr C. Madhavan Nambiar and his
staff for their cooperation and help and to Dr K. C. Jacob, Professor of Medical Jurisprudence and
Dr P. Venkat Rao, Chemical Examiner for having placed the necessary literature at my disposal.
REFERENCES
Heiher & Gribble (1929). Medical Jurisprudence for India, 872
John Glaister (1945). Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology 503
Jai Singh & P. Modi (1945). Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology 484
Macfall (1925). Revized edition of Buchnan's Text Book of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology 298
Whitford (1884). British Medical Journal I, 504
THE EFFECT OF LATE NITROGENOUS TOP-DRESSING ON THE
DIGESTIBILITY OF HAY
By W. S. FERGUSON, Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd., Jealott's Hill Research Station, Bracknell,
Berks
[Reprinted from The Journal of Agricultural Science Vol. 38 No. I January 1948]
THE application of soluble nitrogenous fertilizers to a hay crop some 7-20 days before the
crop is cut results in an increase in the protein content of the hay.
In 12 experiments, Lewis [1941] showed that 1 cwt./acre of sulphate of ammonia, nitrate of
soda or ' Nitro-Chalk ' gave an average increase of 1.0 per cent in the crude-protein content and with
2 cwt. fertilizer/acre the average increase was 1.75 per cent. He also showed that most of the extra
nitrogen absorbed by the crops was converted into true protein and, with two minor exceptions,
the proportions of nitrates and ammonia were undisturbed.
Later Lewis [Jealott's Hill Report, unpublished] summarized the results obtained in 47 repli-
cated experiments carried out in various parts of England and northern Ireland between 1938 and
1946. The nitrogen dressing used varied slightly. From 1935 to 1945, 1 and 2 cwt./acre 'Nitro-
Chalk ' or sulphate of ammonia were applied and in 1946 1¼ and 2½ cwt./acre ' Nitro-Chalk '.
The mean results obtained are given in Table I.
TABLE I
Crude protein in hay (per cent)*
1938-45 . . . . . . . . . . .
1946 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
All trials
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
No late N
dressing
8.92
7.30
8.32
Single N
dressing
10.02
8.30
9.43
Double N
dressing
10.98
8.71
10.11
*Moisture content 15 per cent
The mean of the rations (true protein)/(crude protein) were :—
—
No late N dressing . . . . . . . . . . . .
N dressing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
Mean
0.83
0.81
Range
0.70—0.91
0.63—0.90
Single and double dressings of nitrogen fertilizer resulted in increases of 13 and 23 per cent
respectively in the crude-protein contents of the hays, and the extra nitrogen absorbed was mainly
elaborated into true protein.
255
N
December 1948]
W. S.
FERGUSON
257
TABLE II
Composition of hays as percentage of dry matter
–––
Ether extract . . . . . . . . .
Fibre.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Crude protein
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Ash.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
N-free
extract.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Organic matter
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
True protein
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
True protein
Ratio –––––––– . . . . . .
Crude protein
1945
Top-dressed
1.79
32.17
11.57
7.19
47.28
100.00
92.81
9.87
0.85
Control
1.57
32.48
9.67
7.16
49.12
100.00
92.84
8.69
0.90
1946
Top-dressed
1.32
36.05
12.41
8.13
42.09
100.00
91.87
10.68
0.86
Control
1.32
36.30
10.36
7.99
44.03
100.00
92.01
9.46
0.91
As would be expected the top-dressing caused little change in composition, the increase in pro-
tein being balanced mainly by a fall in N-free extract.
The rations true : crude protein show a slightly greater proportion of non-protein nitrogenous
compounds in the top-dressed hays. Top-dressing resulted in increases of 1.18 and 1.22 per cent
of true protein in the 1945 and 1946 hays respectively compared with increases of 1.90 and 2.05
per cent of crude protein. The quantities of nitrogen, expressed as crude protein, absorbed but
not elaborated into 'true' protein were therefore 0.72 and 0.83 per cent respectively. The 1946 hays
were analysed for nitrate and ammonia content with the following results in Table III.
TABLE III
Analysis of 1946 hays
—
Ammonia N, per cent dry matter . . . . . . . . . .
Nitrate N, per cent dry matter. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ammonia N as per cent of total N. . . . . . . . .
Nitrate N as per cent of total N. . . . . . . . . . . .
Top-dressed
hay
0.165
0.037
0.83
0.19
Control
hay
0.120
0.025
0.72
0.15
The top-dressed hay was higher in both ammonia and nitrate contents but the differences were
small.
Digestibility of hays
A statistical lay-out for the digestibility trials was adopted in both years. Three sheep were
used on each hay in 1945 and four sheep in 1946.
N 2
258
The Effect of Late Nitrogenous Top-Dressing
[Vol. XVIII, Part IV
In both years the agreement between sheep was satisfactory. As is seen from the individual
digestibility coefficients of the hay constituents given in the Appendix. The mean values are given
in Table IV.
TABLE IV
Digestibility coefficients of hay constituents (percentage)
—
Dry matter . . . . . . . . . . .
Organic matter
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Ether extract
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Fibre
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
N-free extract
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Crude protein
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
True protein
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
1945
Top-dressed
60.8
62.5
41.6
63.9
63.4
58.3
54.2
Control
60.3
62.3
41.2
65.3
63.6
48.9
46.6
1946
Top-dressed
58.6
60.6
23.5
71.6
54.3
53.8
49.5
Control
57.2
59.2
23.3
70.1
54.5
45.4
43.3
Comparing the top-dressed and control hays the digestibilites of the constituents were remark-
ably similar except for the protein. Both crude and true protein were markedly more digestible
in the top-dressed hays. The increase in digestibility of the true protein due to top-dressing is of
particular interest.
In both years, as will be seen from the figures given below, the digestibility of the true protein
in the top-dressed hays was significantly higher than in the control hays. In 1946 the difference
was significant at the 100 : 1 level of probability.
—
Top-dressed hay (adjusted for block differences) . . . . . . . . . .
Control hay (adjusted for block difference) . . . . . . . . . .
Significant difference : P = 0.05 . . . . . . . . . .
P = 0.01
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
1945
53.5
46.9
6.3
. .
1946
49.5
43.3
3.9
5.9
Nutritive values of the hays
The nutritive values of the hays, expressed as starch and protein equivalents on a dry-matter
basis, are given in Table V.
TABLE V
Starch and protein equivalents of hays, on dry matter (percentage)
1945 hays
Top-dressed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Significant difference (P + 0.05) 1946 hays . . . . . . . . . . . .
Top-dressed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Significant difference (P-0.05)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Starch
equivalent
37.8
38.6
. .
33.3
32.9
..
Protein
equivalent
5.97
4.42
0.66
5.98
4.40
0.38
December 1948]
W. S.
FERGUSON
259
The values have been adjusted for block differences, and comparison with one mean figure
quoted in the Appendix shows these adjustments were very small.
There were obviously no significant differences between the top-dressed and control hays as
regards starch equivalent values, but the differences in protein equivalent values were highly signi-
ficant. These were very similar in both hays and the top-dressing resulted in increases of 1.55 and
1.58 per cent protein equivalent.
Throughout this paper the data have all been expressed on a dry-matter basis, and certain
figures may be useful experessed on hay containing the average dry-matter cotent of 85 per cent
given in Table VI.
TABLE VI
Crude protein . . . .
True protein
.
.
.
.
Digestible crude protein . .
Digestible true prot ei n. . . . .
Protein equivalent. . . .
Starch equivalent . . . .
1945 hays
Top-dressed
9.83
8.39
5.73
4.55
5.14
32.3
Control
8.22
7.39
4.01
3.44
3.73
32.9
Increase
1.61
1.00
1.72
1.11
1.41
—0.6
1946 hays
Top-dressed
10.55
9.08
5.67
4.50
5.08
28.3
Control
8.81
8.04
4.00
3.49
3.74
27.9
Increase
1.74
1.04
1.67
1.01
1.34
0.4
DISCUSSION
If the increases of total and digestible crude and true protein due to top-dressing are compared
it is seen that the figures are almost identical :
Increase due to top-dressing (per cent)
—
Crude protein : 1945 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1946. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
True protein : 1945. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1946. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total
1.90
2.05
1.18
1.22
Digestible
2.02
1.97
1.30
1.19
This suggests that either the extra protein was entirely digestible or it improved the digesti-
bility of the total protein present.
It seems likely that this would obtain whatever response to top-dressing was obtained, providing
the crop showed no marked increase in growth due to the top-dressing.
In the present experiments the response to nitrogen was good—about 2.0 per cent crude protein,
1.2 per cent true protein and 1.6 per cent protein equivalent, all on the dry matter. The two hays
gave almost identical results although one was a good ley mixture and the other a rather
260
The Effect of Late Nitrogenous Top-Dressing
[Vol. XVIII, Part IV
poor permanent grass, and it might be tentatively suggested that an increase of 2.0 per cent in crude
protein would generally give an increase of about 1.6 per cent in protein equivalent. Whether the
ratio, increase of crude protein : increase of protein equivalent, 1 : 0.8, would hold whatever the res-
ponse to top-dressing remains to be proven, but this does not appear unreasonable.
The protein contents of the hays in this country are generally distressingly low and methods of
increasing the level are desirable. The present work shows that a useful increase in ' apparent '
digestible protein results from late nitrogenous top-dressing. Even if part of the nitrogen is not ela-
borated to protein in the plant it may still have appreciable feeding value for ruminants in view
of the latter's ability to utilize non-protein nitrogenous substances.
An additional benefit from the top-dressing is the stimulating effect on the growth of the after-
math and it appears therefore that late top-dressing of the hay crop is a valuable practice which might
be more generally applied.
APPENDIX
Digestibilities of hay constituents
–––
Sheep
Top-dressed 1 .
6 .
10 .
Mean
Control
3 .
4 .
9 .
Mean
Top-dressed 2 .
4 .
8 .
10 .
Mean
Control
1.
3 .
7 .
9 .
Mean
Dry matter
60.6
60.7
61.2
60.8
60.7
61.3
58.9
60.3
57.5
58.4
59.3
59.3
58.6
56.9
56.5
56.5
58.8
57.2
Organic
matter
62.2
62.8
62.7
62.5
62.5
63.5
60.9
62.3
59.0
60.9
61.2
61.2
60.6
58.1
58.4
58.4
61.4
59.2
Ether
extracts
44.0
39.7
41.2
41.6
45.0
43.6
35.0
41.2
22.0
22.0
22.0
28.0
23.5
23.0
29.0
14.0
27.4
23.3
Fibre
1945 hays
64.4
64.2
62.9
63.9
66.6
65.5
63.8
65.3
1946 hays
69.7
72.7
71.9
72.1
71.6
68.4
68.2
70.6
73.2
70.1
N.free
extract
62.5
64.2
63.6
63.4
62.7
65.8
62.4
63.6
52.0
54.9
55.2
55.3
54.3
54.0
53.7
52.9
57.2
54.5
Crude
protein
57.9
55.7
61.4
58.3
50.9
48.2
47.5
48.9
55.3
51.7
54.5
53.6
53.8
46.5
48.0
44.4
42.5
45.4
True
protein
53.4
51.8
57.4
54.2
49.3
45.5
45.0
46.6
51.6
47.5
49.6
49.3
49.5
45.5
45.5
41.9
40.1
43.3
December 1948]
W. S.
FERGUSON
261
APPENDIX—contd.
Digestible nutrient content of hays
—
Sheep
Top-dressed 1 .
6 .
10 .
Mean
Control
3 .
4 .
9 .
Mean
Top-dressed 2 .
4 .
8 .
10 .
Mean
Control
1 .
3 .
7 .
9 .
Mean
Digestible
ether
extract
0.78
0.71
0. 74
0.74
0.71
0.68
0.55
0.55
0.29
0.29
0.29
0.37
0.31
0.30
0.38
0.18
0.36
0.31
Digestible
fibre
20.7
20.6
20.3
20.5
21.6
21.3
20.7
21.2
25.1
26.2
25.9
26.0
25.8
24.8
24.8
25.6
26.6
25.4
Digestible
N-free
extract
Digestible
crude
protein
Digestible
true
protein
1945 hays
29.6
30.4
29.0
29.6
30.8
32.3
30.7
31.3
21.9
23.1
23.2
23.3
22.9
23.8
23.7
23.3
25.2
24.0
6.69
6.44
7.10
6.74
4.92
4.66
4.59
4.72
1946 hays
6.86
6.42
6.76
6.65
6.67
4.82
4.97
4.60
4.40
4.70
5.27
5.11
5.66
5.35
4.28
3.95
3.91
4.05
5.51
5.07
5.29
5.27
5.29
4.31
4.31
3.96
3.80
4.10
Protein
equivalent
5.98
5.78
6.38
6.05
4.60
4.31
4.25
4.39
6.19
5.75
6.03
5.96
5.98
4.57
4.64
4.28
4.10
4.40
Starch
equivalent
38.08
38.51
37.33
37.97
38.96
39.78
37.26
38.67
31.82
33.70
33.75
33.98
33.31
32.21
32.13
31.96
35.23
32.88
SUMMARY
Comparative digestibility trials have been carried out on hays top-dressed with nitrogenous
fertilizers 8-13 days before cutting and on similar hays which were not top-dressed.
The top-dressing resulted in an increase of 2.0 per cent crude protein and 1.2 per cent true pro-
tein.
The digestibility of the protein was significantly higher in the top-dressed hays and no other
constituents were affected.
The protein equivalents in hay, dry matter were increased from 4.4 per cent to 6.0 per cent by
the top-dressing.
REFERENCE
Lewis, A. H. (1941). Emp. Agric. 9, 43
267
[Vol. XVIII, Part IV
REVIEW
Veterinary Helminthology and Entomology
By. H. O. MONNIG (Published by Bailliere Tindall and Cox, 7 and 8, Henrietta Street, London,
3rd Edition pp. XVIII+427, 31s. 6d.)
Z OOLOGISTS in general and parasitologists in particular will doubtless hail the appearance
of the third edition of Monnig's book which is very handy work of reference for students of veteri-
nary helminthology and entomology. The first print of this book appeared only 13 years ago and the
rapidity with which the third edition had to be brought out is a clear indication of its utility and popu-
larity. The book has been written in an easy style and the general get-up is excellent. The third
edition is marked out by the additional drawings of some helminth ova and gravid segments of common
tapeworms of domestic animals. Some figures in the previous editions have been replaced
by the author's own drawings. The information contained in Section I forms a very useful intro-
duction to the understanding of most of the implications of veterinary parasitology. Section II
is devoted to technique, the knowledge of which is indispensable to a student of parasitilogy. Refer-
ences have been made to the anthelmintics such as hexachlorethane and phenothiazine and insec-
ticides such as D.D.T. and Gammexane which have been successfully used in recent years. A fairly
exhaustive note has been added on phenothiazine. In a short compass of the book of this size it is
not expected that all helminth and arthropod parasites so far recorded from domestic animals should
have received attention but the important ones have been dealt with. It is, however, felt that re-
ference should have been made to parasites such as Paryphostomum sufrartyfex, Pseudodiscus collinsi,
Varestrongylus pneumonicus, Capillaria bilobata, Hæmonchus similis and Leiperacanthus gallinarum.
Parafilaria bovicola and Protostrongylus rufescens do occur in India also. The name and date [Bhalerao,
1942] have been bracketted against Cymbiforma indica, which is evidently an error. Mention
should have been made of Tobacco-lime dressing against warble-fly larvæ.
G. D. B.
Vol. XIX, Part I
March, 1949
The
Indian Journal of Veterinary Science
and
Animal Husbandry
Issued under the authority
of
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Annual subscription
Rs. 6 or 9s. 6d.
Price per part
Rs. 2 or 3s.
PUBLISHED BY THE MANAGER OF PUBLICATIONS, DELHI.
PRINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA PRESS, CALCUTTA, INDIA,
1949
ICAR. 6. XIX. 1.
520
CONTENTS
VOL. XIX, PART I
(March, 1949)
The Publications Committee of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research
India, takes no responsibility for the opinions expressed in this journal
Original articles—
ACTINOMYCOTIC
DERMATITIS IN CROSS
MERINO LAMBS (WITH PLATES I—III) .
STUDIES ON THE DRYING OF RINDERPEST
VIRUS
SOME EFFECTS OF FEEDING WHITE RATS
WITH Ratanjot (Onasma echiodes) IN
Vanaspati AND ITS PATHOLOGICAL SIGNI-
FICANCE
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE DISTRIBU-
TION OF THE OX WARBLE-FLY (Hypoderma
Lineatum Be Villers) AND SOIL MOIS-
TURE IN INDIA
THE NUTRITIVE VALUE OF THE INDIGENOUS
GRASSES OF ASSAM.
THE AQUATIC GRASSES, THEIR CHEMICAL
COMPOSITION AND NUTRITIVE VALUE .
INVESTIGATIONS
ON FAMINE
RATIONS
Jaman (Eugenia Jambolana, Lam.) SEED
AS A CATTLE FEED
.
.
.
.
THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND NUTRITIVE
VALUE OF ALKALI TREATED Bhurra GRASS
(Saccharum munja)
.
.
.
.
INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSES OF GENERAL
DETERIORATION OF CATTLE IN MALABAR
AND SOUTH KANARA (MADRAS PRESIDENCY)
TEMPERATURE CORRECTIONS FOR THE LACTO-
METRE READING OF THE MILK OF INDIAN
COWS AND BUFFALOES (WITH ONE TEXT
FIGURE)
SEMEN STUDIES AND ARTIFICIAL INSEMINA-
TION IN POULTRY (WITH PLATE IV AND
ONE TEXT FIGURE)
Abstracts
H. K. Lall and V. R.
Rajagopalan
N. B. Das . . .
D. A. Munro and J. M.
Lall
B. N. Soni . . .
S. K. Talapatra and M. N.
Dev Goswami
N. D. Kehar and K. Sahai .
A. W. Zubairy and N. K.
Ayyar
M. S. Rajendran . .
Zal R. Kothavalla, C. P.
Anantakrishnan and T.
M. Paul
D. P. Mukherjee and P.
Bhattacharya
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