212
INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY [ III, II
Tetrachlorethylene is as efficient as carbon tetrachloride in removing nematodes; moreover
its wider margin of safety and its less injurious effect upon the liver makes it preferable to carbon
tetrachloride for the removal of hook worms, ascarids and other nematodes in dogs, cats, foxes and
other animals.
Care should always be exercised in selecting a chemically pure drug. [G. D. B.].
Cœnurus cerebralis, or gid in sheep. GILLARD, CHAS. Vet. Jl. 88, 214-218
(1932).
The author remarks that this disease has been neglected by Veterinary Surgeons. Various
text-books quote that in the first year of life 2 to 5 per cent. of sheep are affected and in the
second year 1 to 1½ per cent. ; afterwards only occasional cases occur. But in occasional outbreaks
15 to 35 per cent. may be affected.
Infection takes place, in most cases in early life, by ingesting the proglottides or mature ova
of Taenia coenurus voided by the dog.
Broadly speaking there are two distinct types, viz., Cerebral and Cerebellar In each type
there will be some sigas common to both, e.g., altered facial expressions, ear carriage, unsteadiness
of gait, grinding of teeth, swaying movements, exaggerated action of one or more limbs, varying
degrees of paralysis and loss of flesh. In the cerebral type the head is held differently, one or both
ears lopped, the senses are dull, disinclination to move, many do not run away when approached by
man or dog, the majority are completely blind in one eye, some show paralysis of lips and
excessive salivation. There is a softening of cranial bones. Then there is turning or circling
movements, finally there is general paralysis or death from exhaustion. In the cerebellar type
there is no softening of the cranium, no blindness, no expression of stupidity, but there is marked
hyper-æsthesia. There is a frightened expression and stilt-like gait of the hind legs. In advanced
cases there is staggering gait, jerky movements and ultimately the sheep collapses.
The only treatment is boring or trephining the skull and removing the cœnurus bladder. In
the cerebellar type operative treatment is not advocated since it invariably leads to fatal
hæmorrhage.
Operative technique has been described in detail and hints are offered in selecting cases for
operation. [ G. D. B. ]
On the technique of Cestode study. WAROLE, R.A. Parasitology, 24, 241—252
(1932).
Collection— The alimentary tract of the host is slit open, freed from the large helminths,
and is then cut into pieces which are soaked in water or in sodium chloride solution. Finally the
supernatant liquid is poured of and the sediment is examined over a black surface, any visible
helminths being picked out with aobrush or a hooked needle. If it is necessary to postpone
fixation of the material the most suitable medium for keeping it is decinormal Nacl solution to
which has been added 5 per cent. of egg white.
Fixation.—The author states that better results are obtainable by immersing the material
in 10 per cent. neutralised formalin for 12 hours, then in 5 per cent. for 24 hours, then washing
for 2 hours in running fresh water and gradually transferring through 30, 50, 70 to 80 per cent.
alcohol for permanent storage. The specimens should be dropped into hot water (60°C.) before
transferring to cold fixatives.