June, 1948
P. R. NILAKANTAN AND P. G.
PANDE
67
be regarded as informative. Further, it is probable that during the sixth week after kidding when
the vaginal materials were collected, the vaginae might have ceased to function as the channel of
elimination. Our success in isolating the organism from the milk would only indicate that during
the period after kidding when the samples were collected the organisms had localized in the udder
and were being eliminated through the milk. Where the blood serum response is positive in a high
titre, the evidence of infection by Brucella organisms may be considered as irrefutable, although it
might not be possible to demonstrate in every such case the organism by cultural examination.
In view of the isolation of Br. abortus from milk samples of goats of a farm subjected to frequent
epidemics or endemics of goat abortion, the question arises as to the possible relationship of the in-
fection to cattle of the farm and vice versa. Although cattle abortion had been occuring in this
farm, it never assumed the same seriousness as amongst the goats and as such, no investigation on
the incidence of the disease amongst the bovines was called for. From a few trickles of abortion
that have been reported, the organisms isolated were reported to conform to Br. abortus-meletensis
type. The goats from which Br. abortus was isolated in of the present investigation were purchased
from some adjoining district and being kept separate from the bovine herd, chances of infection
being acquired by them from cattle could, therefore, be considered remote. Strict isolation of these
two herds may also account for the disease being localized amongst the goats only.
SUMMARY
1. Brucellosis amongst goats at the Government Livestock Farm, Hissar was investigated by
blood serum agglutination test and by cultural examination and g. pig inoculation of infective materials
including milk of some normally kidded goats.
2. From a few serum-positive goats, Br. abortus (Bang) was isolated by milk samples inoculated
into g. pigs. The essential criteria used in the differentiation of the genus Brucella were tested in
the present work of typing this organism.
ACKOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors wish to place on record their gratitude to Dr. F. C. Minett, Director, Indian Veteri-
nary Research Institute for affording facilities in the execution of this work, including a full uso of
the research record files of the Institute for the period 1929-35. Thanks are also due to the Superin-
tendent, Livestock Farm, Hissar, for making necessary arrangements and for allowing to collect
information from the records and files of the farm.
REFERENCES
Doyle, T. M. (1939). J. Copm. Path. and Ther. 52, 89-115
Giles, M. Peres, G., and Culty. (1932). Rev. Gen. Med. Vet., 41, 476-481
Haddow, J. R. (1934). Rep. Imp. Vet.. Res. Inst., Mukteswar
Holth, H. (1937). Norsk. Vet. Tidsskr., 49, 524-536
Huddleson. I. F. (1943). Brucellosis in Man and Animals
Meurou, P., and Pincau, M. (1937). Bull. Acad. Vet. France, 10, 90-93
Parisot, J. Vidal, L. F. and Levy, R. (1932) C. B. Soc. Biol. Paris, 110, 78-79
Taylor, R. M., Lisbonne, M. and Roman, G. (1932). Rapp. ler. Congr. Internal. Hyy., Mediterraneenne, 1, 706-713