NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
TUBERCULOSIS IN A COW-BUFFALO
55
right lung weighed 20 lb. 8 oz. The surface of both the lungs was crammed with
small gray nodules. Palpation revealed hardened granules and a few small areas
of fibrous consistency in the superficial layer. Sections through the lung substance
revealed numerous unsoftened miliary tubercles at many points confluent, at others
separated by hepatised or indurated pulmonary tissue. A certain number of sections
which appeared grayish and of a firm consistency, such as is observed in chronic
pneumonia, contained enormous numbers of whitish or yellowish gray granules,
masses of broken down tubercles and irregular cavernous spaces, varying up to 2
inches in size containing creamy pus. A few sections showed irregular greenish
gray areas of necrotic tissue. In fact, there was very little of the normal lung tissue
left to carry on the physiological functions. The mucous membrane of the bronchi
was inflamed and thickened. The pleura was devoid of its usual glistening appear-
ance and had developed excrescenses particularly at the point of its adhesion to the
lung.
The mediastinal, prescapular, bronchial and submaxillary glands were enlarged
oedematous, congested and showed caseated centres.
The heart showed hypertrophy and contained clotted blood in both ventricles.
It weighed 8 lb. 12 oz. The pericardium showed deposition of lymphy material.
The liver and spleen were congested and contained miliary tubercles. The gall
bladder and bile ducts showed concretions of bile and particles of injesta from the
duodenum. The weight of the liver was 9 lb. 6 oz. and that of the spleen 1 lb. 12 oz.
Both the kidneys were congested, slightly enlarged and weighed 4 lb. 6 oz.
Some of the mesenteric glands were enlarged, oedematous and congested and
showed caseated centres.
A few species of Amphistoma cervi were present in the rumen ; the reticulum
showed, as usual, an accumulation of rubbish ; the omasum contained semi-liquid
injesta which presumably was due to its atonic condition ; whilst the abomasum
was full of injesta and this along with the small intestines showed congested
patches.
The urinary bladder and the uterus appeared normal.
The posterior mammary glands were enlarged, oedematous and contained
tubercular nodules in the interstitial tissues.
Smears made from the lungs were teeming with B. tuberculosis, their identity
being also confirmed by the Principal, Bombay Veterinary College.
The writer desires to express his thanks to the officer in charge of Veterinary
Hospitals of Bamburda and Poona City for the history of the case and to Mr. B. B.
56 THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY [ II, I
Joshi of the former hospital for assistance rendered in conducting the post-mortem
examination.
REFERENCES.
Joshi, L. L. (1914). Observation on the Bacteriological and Chemical examination of the milk supply,
p. 15.
Soparkar, M. B. (1925). Ind. J. Med. Res. 13, 755.
„
(1929). Ind. J. Med. Res. 17, 574.
Soparkar, M. B., and Dhillon, J. C. S. (1931). Abstract of papers : Medical and Veterinary Section,
Indian Science Congress, Nagpur, p. 22.
Taylor, G. (1918). Ind. J. Med. Res. 5, 497.
DOUBLE CAECUM IN A GOAT—A CASE OF ANATOMICAL
PECULIARITY.
BY
S. C. A. DATTA, B.Sc., M.R.C.V.S.,
Temporary Veterinary Research Officer, Imperial Institute of Veterinary Research,
Muktesar.
(Received for publication on 6th October 1931.)
(With Plate VI.)
Various degrees of peculiarities and defects in anatomical structure have been
met with in domesticated animals. In extreme cases of teratology, such as mons-
ter-formation, the performance of normal physiological functions is interfered
with and the life of the individual is thereby brought to a premature end. In
simpler cases the animal leads a normal life and appears to be perfectly well in spite
of the peculiarities in its bodily structure. Occasionally, a duplication, even a
triplication or the entire absence of certain organs or viscera may be encountered
apparently without any detriment to the animal. It will be seen from what follows
that apart from cases of abnormalities of the exterior of an animal, such as, poly-
dactylism in cattle or " earlessness " in sheep, instances of peculiarities in the
viscera involving either the spleen, gall bladder, intestines, urinary bladder, etc.,
have been described. For instance, reports are available on (i) three spleens in a
calf [ Ercolani, 1893 ], (ii) duplication of urinary bladder in a mare [ Fruner, 1887],
(iii) and also in a calf [ Menzel, 1905 ], (iv) urinary bladder with two large diverti-
cula in a horse [ Wolstenholme, 1892 ], (v) abnormal intestinal diverticula in a
heifer [ Kinsley, 1908 ], (vi) duplication of the gall bladder in a sheep [ White,
1916 ].
Yamane [ 1927 ] describes a case of atresia coli, characterised by a complete
lack of development in the region of the ascending colon and ascribes all such cases
to a Percheron stallion, the condition, in his opinion, being transmitted as a simple
Mendelian recessive.
The present communication is concerned with yet another case of anatomical
peculiarity and this, it is believed, is the first case recorded of double caeca in a
mammal. During routine post-mortem examination at Muktesar, this peculiarity
was encountered in a black and white goat, three years of age, which was passing
( 57 )
58 THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY [ II, I
through an attack of experimental rinderpest and which eventually died of peri-
tonitis and pneumonia. The larger caecum was twenty centimetres long and three
centimetres in diameter and this appeared to be the caecum proper. The accessory
caecum was a little smaller in size being fourteen centimetres in length and 3.5 cm.
in diameter at its broadest part. Both the caeca opened separately into the in-
testines—the smaller one arising at the termination of the ileum and nearer to it
than the larger one (Plate VI). The thickness of the wall of both caeca was
practically normal. The contents of both caecal structures presented nothing
unusual and the naked eye appearance of the mucous membrane lining them was
quite healthy. It may be mentioned here in passing that the length of 25 cm. and
breadth of 5 cm. of a normal caecum in a sheep, as given by Sisson [1921], are
seldom met with in the particular breeds of goat available at Muktesar.
The present case has been considered worthy of report for the following
reasons:—
(1) It has never been reported before.
(2) It is of scientific interest to the geneticist and to the student of compara-
tive anatomy of the vertebrates. This case of a mammalian double caeca is worthy
of comparison with the double caeca in poultry although the former, which arises
at the proximal end of the large intestines, can scarcely be considered homologous
to the latter arising at the distal end of the alimentary tract.
(3) The duplication of the caecum in a ruminant, already provided with
an elaborate compound stomach seems to be rather anomalous in the light of certain
anatomical facts as stated below. Animals living on easily digestible food have a
comparatively large stomach and a small caecum (dog and man), while herbivorous
animals subsisting on excess of cellulose either have sacs anterior to the proper
stomach (ruminants) or other contrivance such as a large caecum (horse) in the
digestive tract to aid the process of digestion.
REFERENCES.
Ellenbergher (1881). Physiological importance of caecum, Vety. Jl.13, p. 276.
Ercolani (1893). Three spleens in a calf, Vety. Jl. 36, p. 414.
Fruner (1887). Double bladder, Vety. Jl., 25, p. 46.
Kinsley (1908). Intestinal Diverticula in a heifer, Amer. Vety. Rev. 33, p. 460.
Menzel (1905). Double bladder in a calf, Vety. News, 2, Dec., p. 31.
Sisson (1921). The Anatomy of the Domestic Animals, 2nd Edn., p. 475.
White (1916). Duplication of gall bladder in a sheep. Jl. Comp. Path. & Therap. 29, p. 133.
Wolstenholme (1892). Urinary bladder with two large lateral diverticula in a horse, Vety. Jl. 35, p. 67.
Yamane (1927). Atresia coli—Ex. Genetics of the horse—Crew & Smith (1930), p. 146.
PLATE VI.
Double caecum in a goat.
PLATE VII.
CASES OF POISONING IN THE HORSE WITH RATTI SEEDS
(ABRUS PRECATORIUS), BY ORAL ADMINISTRATION.
BY
MAJOR K. S. SIMPSON, R.A.V.C.,
AND
P. C. BANERJEE, G.B.V.C.,
Offg. Veterinary Deputy Superintendent, Imperial Institute of Veterinary Research,
Muktesar.
(Received for publication on 13th November 1931.)
(With Plate VII and 2 text-figures.)
In the early part of 1930 there occurred a mysterious outbreak of sickness
among the horses of a Regiment stationed in Northern India.
A horse was reported to have fallen down in the Squadron Lines, and was
unable to get up.
The case seemed one in which an injury, involving the spinal column, had
taken place. Attempts to get the animal to stand failed, so the stall was made as
comfortable as possible, stimulant liniment applied to the spine, and a dose of
Ammon Carb. and Nux Vomica administered. Orders were given to the Veterinary
Assistant Surgeon to extract the faeces by hand, and give enemata and saline
purges. The temperature was normal and the pulse slow. There was a general
lassitude and the hind quarters appeared to be paralysed, food and water were
taken in small quantities. The pupil was dilated and there was a slight twitching
of the facial muscles.
The following morning the horse had not improved, but the diagnosis of spinal
injury was abruptly abandoned, when two more horses were reported to be showing
exactly the same symptoms. This pointed to food poisoning, and samples of all
forage were sent to experts for examination. The results were negative. Exa-
mination of samples of drinking water also failed to give any result.
Saline purges were given to all the affected animals, but they soon refused
food and in ten days' time were in such an emaciated condition that it was decided
to destroy them.
( 59 )
60 THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY [ II, I
Post-mortem revealed a general inflammatory condition throughout the ali
mentary tract associated with blood extravasations, icteric staining of the pyloric
portion of the stomach, and a marked inflammatory condition of the bladder. The
contents of the stomachs were sent to the Public Analyst, at Lahore, Major
D. R. Thomas, I.M.S. His report proved negative.
By this time five more animals had developed the same symptoms. Convinced
that the cause was some virulent poison, drastic measures were adopted. As soon
as the onset of symptoms was observed, a hypodermic injection of Arecoline Hydro-
bromide was given, followed, a few hours later, by saline purges.
The results were astonishing. Within 12 hours the animals could stand.
Moved slowly, they evinced inco-ordination of movement in the hind quarters, but
this gradually improved and within a month they were all doing their normal
routine work. No more cases occurred.
All this time the grain, hay and grass were subjected to a rigid examination,
but no explanation accrued. The matter remained a mystery for at least six
months and then, in consequence of some information gleaned about the action of
Ratti seeds, it was decided to carry out some experiments. The object of these
was to determine whether the seeds would produce symptoms analogous to those
seen in the affected animals, if administered by the mouth to the horse. No trace
of poisoning in animals by oral administration of the seeds could be found in the
text books consulted.
The Ratti seed or Abrus precatorius was first described by Warden and
Waddell [1884]. In Bengal it is called " Kunch " or " Gunj " and its Hindustani
name is " Ratti ".
It is also indigenous to Brazil where it is called " Jequirity ". It is some
times called the Indian liquorice plant.
The seed is spherical, smooth, of a bright, shining red or white, with a black
mark at the eye, or more rarely, black with a white eye.
Three varieties of the plant have been met with in India :—
(1) With rose-coloured flowers : red seed and black-eye.
(2) With dark-coloured flowers : black seed and white eye.
(3) With white flowers : white seed and black-eye. It is used by goldsmiths for
weighing gold. Allen [1922] computes the weight of each seed as 1⅓ to a little
over 2 grs.
Stirling [1924] states that 96 seeds equal the weight of a silver rupee (A tola).
The plant is mentioned and fully described by Nadkarni [1910], Kanny Lal
Dey [1896], Waring and Lukis [1907] and Lander [1912].
POISONING IN THE HORSE WITH RATTI SEEDS
61
From a Veterinary point of view, its chief interest lies in the fact that Chamars
inject it under the skin to kill cattle. In this way it is given in the form of a
puncturing needle (Sui poisoning), which is made up of a mixture of the decortica-
ted seeds pounded into a paste with water.
The seeds contain a Toxalbumen called " Abrin ", which is more or less allied
to " Ricin ", from the Castor Oil seed ; or " Crotin " from the Croton seed.
This " Abrin " is easily destroyed by heat and when absorbed in a wound
caused by " Sui " poisoning, the symptoms resemble snake poisoning together
with the agglutination of the Red blood-corpuscles of the blood. Death takes place
in this way in about two days, with intense local reaction, and if in the neighbour-
hood of the throat, suffocation generally supervenes.
It is used by " malingerers " in Hospitals to bring on conjunctivitis, and in
Indian medicines as a tonic or aphrodisiac. The method of extracting " Abrin "
is by physiological saline at blood heat.
Nadkarni [1910] states that the dose of the powder for human beings is 1 to
3 grs. If administered uncooked, the seeds act as a strong purgative and emetic.
When used in large doses, they are an acrid poison, giving rise to symptoms like
those of cholera.
Warden and Waddell [1884] state that the seeds given by the mouth are harm-
less. They quote Dr. M. Thomas, who says, " The seed, even when finely ground,
does not seem to be a poison when given by the mouth. I have repeatedly given
it to dogs in as large doses as 2 to 3 drachms, but with no ill effect".
A Dr. Center is also quoted and he states that he has given the seeds to dogs
in doses varying from ¾ to 1 oz. without poisoning symptoms.
There appears to be no trace of an animal being poisoned by oral administra-
tion of the Ratti seeds.
However, in spite of the weight of evidence against the probability of a definite
result, it was decided to carry out some experiments by feeding the seeds to horses
and also by administration in the form of a bolus.
Experiment I.
A " cast " Artillery horse, 16 hands.
Two ounces of the Ratti seeds were finely ground in a mortar, and the whole
made into a mass, and given as a bolus. After 8 hours the animal showed signs of
violent pain and temperature 104°, followed by a period of lassitude and subnor-
mal temperature. Food was refused and the horse was unable to rise. Arecoline
and saline purges were administered and the animal recovered.
E
62 THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY [ II, I
Experiment II.
A " cast " Cavalry horse, 15.1 hands.
Two ounces of Ratti seeds were finely ground in a mortar and given in the
ordinary feed. The same symptoms were observed as in experiment I. The horse
died about the 16th hour.
Post-mortem. A general inflammatory condition of the alimentary tract asso-
ciated with blood extravasations.
The contents of the stomach as well as samples of the Ratti seeds were sent to
Major Thomas and an extract from his report reads " You will note that fragments
of these berries were detected by means of the microscope in the stomach contents
of the horse, which died as a result of your experiment. There are no known
chemical tests for Abrus precatorious (Ratti seeds). Your experiment was very
interesting and as the same symptoms were observed before death, it proves, more
or less conclusively, that these Ratti seeds, in the powdered form, given to a horse
are poisonous ".
With a view to establishing definitely the toxicity of the seeds by oral adminis-
tration and their effect, fed in that way, on different species of animals, further
experiments were conducted at the Imperial Institute of Veterinary Research,
Muktesar.
Two ponies, Nos. 79 and 178, were offered ¼ ounce of the crushed seeds in the
grain feed for 8 days (1st February 1931 to 8th February 1931). They both refused
the grain from the third day, so on the 11th February 1931 they were given ¼ ounce
of the seeds in bolus formation.
Pony No. 79 became dull and off feed with a temperature of 104° on 12th
February 1931, but was. normal on the 13th February. The dose was continued
daily up to 6th March when a daily dose of ½ ounce in bolus was given up to the
14th March. This was increased from the 14th March to 20th April when 2 ounces
from the 21st April to 26th April were given. The pony survived and showed no
untoward symptoms.
Pony No. 178, after the initial dose of ¼ ounce in bolus form showed exactly
the same symptoms as No. 79, i.e., rise of temperature to 103°, dull, off feed, and
normal on 13th February. The same amounts were given as to No. 79 and on the
same dates. The animal appeared normal throughout.
Two more ponies, Nos. 283 and 195, were given two ounces of the drug in bolus
form in the afternoon of the 21st April and were both dead by the early morning of
the 22nd April. Their temperatures were not recorded.
POISONING IN THE HORSE WITH RATTI SEEDS
63
Post-mortem examination of Ponies Nos. 283 and 195 revealed :—
Abdomen. Very distended.
Conjunctiva. Congested.
Blood. Thick and tarry.
Chest-wall, abdominal surface diaphragm and almost all the organs. Full of
hæmorrhagic patches of petechiæ.
Mouth and Tongue. A few petechial spots.
Pharynx. Mucous membrane congested, dark in colour and containing pete¬
chiæ.
Larynx. Slightly congested.
Trachea. Congested with blood-stained froth.
Lungs. Parenchyma very congested and collapsed. Numerous petechiæ on
the surface. Thick, tarry blood.
Heart. Blood clotted and very dark.
Kidneys. Parenchyma congested and dark in colour.
Spleen. Very dark and full of petechiæ. Parenchyma very congested.
Stomach. Mucous membrane intensely congested and inflamed towards the
pylorus. A few ulcers, and blood-stained food contents.
Intestines. Congested and containing a blood-stained fluid. Full of petechiæ.
Bladder. Highly congested, containing a blood-stained fluid.
Liver. Very dark in colour. On section, tarry blood exudes.
It can be assumed from these experiments that Ratti seeds, given orally, in
small and gradually increasing doses to horses, cause the animal to develop a
" tolerance " to quite large doses, whereas a large dose administered either by
feeding or as a bolus will kill the pony within 18 hours.
The next series of experiments were drawn up to determine the toxicity among
the common domesticated animals. For this purpose six each of goats, hill cattle,
ponies, and dogs were selected and the doses worked out on the Active Protoplas-
mic Tissue Unit Scale.
Ponies.
No.
„
„
„
„
„
4—given in bolus 2.30 ozs.—died in 24 hours.
321
318
316
7
319
ditto
ditto
ditto
ditto
ditto
1.28 „
ditto.
1.07 „
ditto.
1.19 „
ditto.
1.05 „—died in 15 hours.
5.52 drachms—died in 36 hours,
E 2
64 THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY [II,
All these animals exhibited the same symptoms and post-mortem appearances
as Ponies 283 and 195. Charts of ponies Nos. 4 and 321 are herewith reproduced
(Figs. 1 and 2).
PONY No. 4.
Administered 2.30 ozs. or 66.08 grms. of
powdered
ABRUS PRECATORIUS
In the form of Bolus on 27-7-31 at 12 noon.
MARE No. 321.
Administered 1.28 ozs. or 36.33 grms. of powdered
ABRUS PRECATORIUS
In the form of Bolus on 27-7-31 at 12 noon.
Fig. 1.
Fig. 2.
POISONING IN THE HORSE WITH RATTI SEEDS
65
Dogs.
No. 5A—given 2.64 drachms in meat ball—died in 32 hours.
„
„
„
„
„
4A
6A
7A
8A
2A
ditto 2.64
ditto 1.85
ditto 1.85
ditto 1.06
ditto 1.2
ditto
ditto
ditto
ditto
ditto
recovered.
ditto.
ditto.
ditto.
ditto.
Goats and Cattle.
Except for a slight rise in temperature in the first 24 hours after administra-
tion, these animals all recovered.
CONCLUSIONS.
(1) Ratti seeas given orally and in large doses from ½ ounce upwards are extre-
mely toxic to horses but are comparatively harmless to dogs, goats and cattle.
(2) Given in small and gradually increasing doses, horses develop a " tolerance "
to the poison.
(3) The seeds produce symptoms of colic and high temperature followed by a
period of lassitude and disinclination to move.
(4) The post-mortem appearances are those of a highly irritant poison.
In conclusion, the authors of this article wish to thank Major D. R. Thomas,
I.M.S., and Mr. W. Taylor, Principal, Punjab Veterinary College, for all their help
and advice. Also their thanks are due to Mr. F. Ware, Director of the Imperial
Institute of Veterinary Research, Muktesar, who placed every facility in their way
to enable them to bring the experiments to a successful conclusion.
REFERENCES.
Allen, H. (1922). The Veterinary Journal, 78.
Kanny Lal Dey (1896). The Indigenous Drugs of India.
Lander, G. D. (1912). Veterinary Toxicology.
Nadkarni, K. M. (1910). Indian Plants and Drugs.
Stirling, R. F. (1924). The Veterinary Journal, 80.
Waring, E. J. and Lukis, C.D. (1907). Bazaar Medicines and Common Plants of India.
Warden, C. J. H. and Waddell, L.A. (1884). The Non-Bacilliary Nature of Abrus-Poison.
A CASE OF RUPTURE OF HEART IN A HORSE.
BY
G. A. AJWANI, M.Sc., D.V.M., D.V.H.,
Officiating Lecturer in Pathology and Bacteriology, Madras Veterinary College,
AND
R. VENKATARAMA AYYAR, G.M.V.C.,
Pathological Assistant.
(Received for publication on 9th December 1931.)
HISTORY.
Bay Waler gelding No. 34, aged 7 years, belonging to the Madras City
Police, was sent to the College for post-mortem examination on 19th Novem-
ber 1930 at 3 P.M. with the history that he suddenly dropped down dead in the
morning while on parade at the Marina. The possibility of anthrax infection was
suspected but the blood smears taken after death revealed no anthrax bacilli.
GROSS PATHOLOGY.
The autopsy was conducted at 4 P.M. The carcase was markedly tympanitic
with bruises over the back and face and slight hæmorrhage from the nostrils. The
abdominal cavity contained about two pints of serous fluid. In the thoracic cavity
no effusion was observed, but the pericardial sac was fully distended with fluid and
was intact. On slitting open the pericardium, about one and one-half pints of
semi-clotted blood with a few blood clots were present. There was a rupture about
one inch in diameter in the wall of the right auricle, the areolar tissue surrounding
the common aorta was hæmorrhagic and the rest of the chambers of the heart were
empty. The heart was doughy, inelastic and presented a boiled appearance. The
weight of the heart-without blood was 5¾ lbs. Both the lungs were congested. All
the rest of the body organs were apparently normal. There was a rupture of the
diaphragm at its muscular portion and a portion of the abdominal organs was
forced forwards into the thoracic cavity. The rupture of the diaphragm was
probably due to the extreme tympany and a post-mortem one, as neither hæm-
( 66 )
PLATE VIII.
1. Section of the heart of a horse (low power).
2. Section of the heart of a horse (high power).
3. Hypertrophied oviduct of a hen containing the impacted egg-yolk.
RUPTURE OF HEART IN A
HORSE
67
orrhage nor blood clots were present in either the thoracic or abdominal cavities.
The stomach and intestines contained a fair amount of ingesta. No parasites were
detected. The smears from the heart and spleen revealed no pathogenic organisms.
Histological appearances of the section from the wall of the right auricle of the
heart revealed a swollen and granular condition of the muscular fibres with partial
disintegration of the fibrils, the appearances being suggestive of paranchymatous
degeneration of the heart (Plate VIII, figures 1 and 2). The cause of death was
recorded as rupture of the heart.