BACHAN SINGH 287
Of the protozoan diseases the most important condition which is likely
to cause some trouble is Coccidiosia infection. The common variety of pro-
tozoa inhabiting the alimentary tract in cattle is known as Eimeria zurni.
During the course of vaccination work its resuscitation has been commonly
observed in weak and emaciated animals which are usually kept in a neglected
state under unhygenic conditions. The symptoms noticed in the majority of
the cases are of chronic nature, viz., passing of thin faeces containing a lot of
mucoid material giving an offensive smell. The animal becomes dull, appetite
is disturbed, it rapidly begins to lose bodily condition, anaemia sets in and if
not properly looked after it ultimately succumbs.
The condition is amenable to treatment provided it is undertaken in
time. Special coccidiosis powder consisting of Ferri sulph, Copper sulph,
Catechu, Areca nut and pulvis zingiberis along with proper nursing and feeding
of sick animals has proved to be very efficacious. Carbon tetrachloride recom-
mended by the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research for trial against this
disease has proved to be less effective than the above mentioned method of
treatment. (The details are given in Appendix E.)
(i) The best method of control of rinderpest outbreak
In the course of investigation every possible attempt was made in the
study of above named problem. Altogether 56 natural outbreaks of the
disease were attended by the staff and goat virus alone method (blood or tissue
virus) was given a trial. Except one village where a number of animals
already vaccinated with tissue virus " Muktesar strain " got a subsequent
infection and succumbed to it, at other places the results of vaccinations have
been very satisfactory. For the first time the goat virus alone method was
employed in dealing with actual outbreak of the disease and since then, owing
to the good results obtained this method has been brought into use in place of
serum alone method. Experience has proved that the former method is
decidedly far superior to the latter in view of its cheapness and the longer period
of immunity it confers.
For effective control of the disease in any particular area the wholesale
vaccination of cattle in villages surrounding the scene of outbreak is very
essential with a view to establishing an immune belt which greatly helps in
checking its further spread, and the above procedure in dealing with rinderpest
outbreaks has been found to be strikingly useful for controlling the disease.
(j) The minimum age for effective vaccination
No controlled experiments were conducted due to lack of funds for pur-
chase of the large number of calves required for this purpose ; but from
field observations made during the course of investigation in villages, it appear-
ed that six months is quite a suitable age for safe vaccination, below that age
vaccination is not recommended as the immunity conferred is of doubtful
nature and does not seem to last long.
(k) The maximum period of immunity conferred by goat virus
On several occasions tests with bull virus were conducted in order to
determine the duration of immunity conferred. The longest period of
F