NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
THE OCCURRENCE OF PARAGONIMUS WESTERMANI
IN THE LUNGS OF CATS IN INDIA
BY
HAR DAYAL SRIVASTAVA, D.Sc.
Helminthologist (On special duty)
Imperial Veterinary Research Institute, Mukteswar-Kumaun
(Received for publication on 25th May 1938.)
THE lung fluke of mammals—Paragonimus westermani—has long been
recognised as an important parasite of man and animals both, domestic and
feral. It is of considerable veterinary importance, and its importance from
public health point of view is even greater. The parasite was first discovered
during autopsy in the lungs of a Bengal tiger which had died in the Zoological
Gardens, Amsterdam, Holland, in September, 1877. The specimens were
sent by the Director, Westermann, to Kerbert, who named them Dist. wester -
mani. Three years later Kerbert received, through Bolau, specimens of the
same parasite recovered from the lungs of a Bengal tiger in the Zoological
Gardens at Hamburg, Germany. In 1879, Ringer found a parasite in the
lungs of a Portuguese resident of Formosa who had died of rupture of aortic
aneurysm. The material was sent to Manson who recognised it as a distomate
fluke. A year later Manson found large operculate ova in the rusty, blood-
flecked sputum of a Chinese suffering from haemoptysis, who had lived in
Northern Formosa. A few years later Yamagiwa and other Japanese workers
found mature flukes in atypical foci in the body, including the brain, where
their presence was accompanied by symptoms of Jacksonian epilepsy.
Appreciating the inadvisability of retaining this parasite in the old group
Distoma, Braun [1899] created the genus Paragonimus for it, which is assigned
to the family Troglotrematidae Odhner [1914]. In recent years the parasite
has received considerable attention at the hands of several workers. The
morphology, life-history, pathogenicity and the geographical distribution have
all been studied in detail. The definitive hosts of the parasite other
than man are pig, dog, cat, goat, cattle, tiger, panther, mink and
numerous other wild carnivores. A number of papers have been pub-
lished on the distribution of lung flukes. Recently, La Rue and Ameel
[1937] have summarised our present knowledge of the geographical
distribution of the parasite. Although this fluke has not so far been
reported from man in this country, it must be looked upon as a potential
human parasite, which awaits only a change in the diet of human beings to
assume considerable importance. Surveyor [1919] recorded an apparently
( 255 )
256
Paragonimus westermani in the Lungs of Cats
imported case of paragonimiasis in a Chinaman in Bombay. The only re-
cord of the occurrence of this parasite in domestic animals in this country
is by Rao [1935] who found two dogs in the Madras Presidency harbouring
the parasite in their lungs. During the routine post mortem examination, the
author recovered a pair of flukes from a cyst in the lungs of a cat, which on
examination proved to be specimens of P. westermani. This is the first record
of the occurrence of lung flukes in Indian cats.
Usually the parasite occurs encysted in pairs, specially in animals.
The eggs are laid in the cysts and escape through the connecting channels
into the bronchi, or else when the cysts rupture.
They are either
voided with the sputum or are swallowed with it and passed out
with the faeces. Under suitable conditions of temperature and mois-
ture they hatch in four to seven weeks. The actively swimming
miracidia on coming in contact with a suitable molluscan host penetrate
into its soft tissues. Inside the body of the snail they undergo further
development into sporocyst, rediae and cercariae. The cercariae are
microcercous, with an elliptical body and short, knob-like caudal append-
age. On emerging from the snail these larvae swim about and if a crayfish or
a suitable crab be available, penetrate into their soft parts and encyst. The
final host acquires infection usually through eating the second intermediate
host harbouring metacercariae. Another possible, though not common,
mode of acquiring infection is by swallowing free, viable cysts in drinking water.
The cysts remain viable in running water for at least twenty-five days. It
is quite easy to surmise that, under natural conditions, cysts could be freed
from decomposing crayfishes in situations accessible to the final hosts. The
adolescaria emerges from the cyst in the duodenum of the final host. It
penetrates through the wall of the intestine, traverses the abdominal cavity
and migrates upwards through the diaphragm into the thoracic cavity, where
it penetrates through the pleura into the lungs and finally arrives in the
bronchioles. In the lungs it becomes encysted and attains sexual maturity.
Though the normal habitat of the parasite is the lungs, it is not infre-
quently generalised in its distribution in the whole body, being found in the
liver, intestinal wall, mesenteric glands, muscles, testes, brain, or attached to
peritoneum or pleura. It is in these atypical foci that the parasite is most
harmful and difficult to detect. Parasitic cysts in the latter situations work
their way to mucous or epithelial surfaces, such as the intestinal mucosa,
biliary tract epithelium, pleural or peritoneal surfaces, or even skin, in which
positions they may form ulcers which heal with difficulty. In one case the
author found eggs of this parasite embedded in the cardiac muscles of an
Indian dog. No satisfactory treatment is known. Tartar emetic may
relieve pulmonary symptoms in human beings, but the parasites in the
cysts are not affected.
The author is grateful to the Director and the Pathologist for their kind
encouragement.
H. D.
SRIVASTAVA
257
REFERENCES
Kerbert, C. (1878). Zool. Anz. 1, 271-273.
—(1881).
Arch.
fur mikr. Anat. 19, 529-578.
La Rue, G. R. and Ameel, D. J. (1937). J. Parasit. 23, 4, 382-388.
Manson, P. (1880). J. queckett Micr. Club 6, 138-139.
—(1882).
Med. Rep. 22, 55-62.
Odhner, T. (1914). Zool. bidrag fran Uppsala 3, 231-246.
Rao, M. A. N. (1935). Ind. J. Vet. Sci, & Anim. Husb. 5, 1, 30-32.
Srivastava, H. D. (1937). Proc. Ind. Sci. Cong. Sec. No. 8, Abst. No. 51.
Surveyor, N. F. (1919). Ind. J. Med. Res. Special Indian Sci. Cong. No. 1,
214-216.
Yamagiwa, K. (1892). Vrich. Arch. path. Anat. 127, 446-456.
ABSTRACTS
Time of cutting hay, and losses during hay-making. WATSON, S. J., FERGUSON,
W. S. AND HORTON, E. A. (J. Agri. Sci. 27, 224, 1937.)
THE yield of nutrients from hay cut at two different stages of growth, early and
ordinary, and losses occurring during the making and stacking were determined. The
ordinary hay was cut when the majority of the grasses had flowered and the earlier grasses
had shed their seed. The early type was cut some three to five weeks earlier when the
majority of the grasses were just coming into flower. The growth which took place on
the early hay plots between the times of cutting the early and ordinary hay was also con-
sidered in estimating the early hay-yields.
The experiments were carried out for five years and sheep were used to determine
the digestibility of the fresh grass and hay samples.
The average yield data for the five years (1931-35) show that the average production
of ordinary hay was 992 lb. more than the early hay including the aftermath. The pro-
duction of starch equivalent was greater in the ordinary hay by 249 lb. per acre, but the
early hay yielded 47 lb. per acre more protein equivalent.
The ordinary hay conserved 522 lb. more starch equivalent and only 11 lb. less
protein equivalent than the early hay if the aftermath is excluded. The authors think
that the early hay cannot compete with the ordinary hay when the yields of nutrients
in the hays alone are considered. The average total losses of dry matter, starch equivalent
and protein equivalent in the early hay were 23.2, 41.3 and 32.0 per cent and in the
ordinary hay 20.0, 32.0 and 29.4 per cent respectively. The poorer weather conditions
at the time of making the early hay probably account for the slightly greater losses
suffered by the early hay. Adverse weather conditions caused high losses, the highest
losses of D. M., S. E., P. E. being 36.7, 58.7 and 53.7 per cent respectively. The losses
during the curing process in the stack were of minor importance compared to the losses in
the field. In some cases, the digestible nutrients appear to have increased as a result of
the fermentation in the stack.
The methods of windrow and tramped heap or pike drying for making " seeds " hay
were also compared. Piked hay was slightly more digestible and gave a greater yield of
S.E.and P.E. [N. C. D. G.].
Ovine encephalitis associated with Listerella infection. ERWIN JUNGHERR.
(J. A. V. M. Ass. xci, 73-87.)
THE author describes a small epizootic of meningo-encephalitis among well-nourished
mature lambs in a flock of sheep associated with a Listerella-like organism, similar to those
reported by Seastone in U. S. A. and by Gill in " Circling Disease " in New Zealand. The
outbreak involved four sheep within a period of about twenty days. This was preceded
by an isolated case about one year earlier.
( 259 )
262
ABSTRACTS
Two types of Zebu are met with in West Africa. There is the white Fulani, a
Nigerian type (weighing 8½ to 10 cwt.) originating probably from the fusion of the Zebu
proper and the Hamitic Longhorn and the other is the Sudanese or shorthorned Zebu,
a result of the fusion of the Zebu and Brachyceros strains.
Another type known as Sanga is a cross between humped Zebu and unhumped
West African Shorthorn—a name coined by the writer for the cattle of the Gold Coast
which are not unlike miniature British shorthorn cattle. If Sanga are inter-bred, there
is no reversion to the original parent stock. These animals are suitable for draught
as well as for meat. The Zebu and Sanga cattle are reared in areas where Tsetse
infestation is light.
The primary aim of cattle improvement in West Africa is to raise the weight of
West African Shorthorn bullocks from 5 to 7 cwt. and this has proved to be quite easy
under the existing conditions of husbandry by means of the use of improved bulls. Early
attempts at improvement by the introduction of exotic sires as, for example, Hereford,
Shorthorn, Kerry, etc. ended in failure and the plans of improvement are now directed
towards grading up the indigenous livestock. In this policy the Hamitic Longhorn
types, principally the N'Dama, are playing an important role. Breeding work is carried
out at Pong-Tamale, the headquarters of the Department of Animal Health, and also
at Native Administration Farms, which are self-controlled but advised by the Depart-
ment. There are now eight successful Native Administration Farms and over twenty
more are in process of establishment. Improved bulls are issued by the Native
Administration Farms as well as by the main Government Farm.
Tending of communal herds is carried out satisfactorily by hired Fulani herdsmen
who have taken to cattle rearing as a profession for generations. These men are con-
versant with the basic facts of animal husbandry, realise the importance of a good sire
and are familiar with good pastures. Unfortunately their number is still small and herd
management in a great number of cases is in the hands of ignorant small boys.
Epizootics and entozoal infections have acted as the most serious limiting factors
to any contemplated plan of improvement. Between 1930 and 1934 effective campaigns
of prophylactic vaccinations were launched against rinderpest and considerable progress
has since been made in regard to the control of this serious cattle menace. It is a routine
practice now to immunize two year old cattle at district camps. Against contagious
pleuro-pneumonia too an effective vaccine is now available. Trypanosomiasis, how-
ever, is still a serious menace and a difficult hurdle to negotiate in any plan of cattle
improvement in West Africa. [H. B. S.]
NOTES
The Maynard-Gangaram Prize
APPLICATIONS are invited for the " Maynard-Gangaram Prize " of the
value of Rs. 3,000 which will be awarded for a discovery, or an invention, or
a new practical method tending to increase agricultural production in the Pun-
jab on a paying basis. The prize is open to all, irrespective of caste, creed
or nationality and Government servants are also eligible for it. Essays
and theses are not eligible for competition and applicants should prove that
some part of their discovery, invention etc., is the result of work done after
the prize was founded in 1925. The Managing Committee reserves to itself
the right of withholding or postponing the prize, if no satisfactory achievement
is reported to it. All entries in competition for the next award should reach
the Director of Agriculture, Punjab, Lahore, on or before the 31st December,
1938.
Prize for Improved Agricultural Implements
IN order to encourage inventors to improve existing implements of culti-
vation and to design new implements and machines better suited to Punjab
conditions and within the power of the average cultivator to purchase,
the Punjab Government have decided to institute a scheme of prizes. Each
year during the scheme, applications will be invited for a suitable design of
particular improved agricultural implement or machine. These prizes will be
open to all, irrespective of nationality. Government servants can compete,
subject to the consent of the Government under whom they are employed.
During the current year a prize of Rs. 3,000 is offered for a suitable de-
sign for a bullock-drawn cultivator. The implement must be simple in de-
sign ; cheap in cost, so as to be within the purchasing power of an average cul-
tivator ; capable of repairs by an average village blacksmith ; efficient in stirr-
ing up fallow land quickly after rain or irrigation, in order to conserve the maxi-
mum amount of moisture in the soil, and suitable- for the inter-cultivation of
crops sown in lines.
The cost of manufacturing the cultivator must not exceed Rs. 15.
Competitors must submit applications setting forth the advantages claimed
for their respective designs and accompanied by scale drawings and specifica-
tions which must be sufficiently complete in all details to enable a manufac-
turer to make the implement.
( 263 )
264
The applications will be examined by an Expert Committee which will
select for manufacture for trial purposes designs which hold promise of sufficient
merit. Applicants whose designs are so selected will be required to deliver
the implement in complete working order at Lyallpur or elsewhere in the
Punjab within one month of receipt of instructions. Actual pocket expenses
up to a maximum of Rs. 50 will be allowed. The award of the Committee
will be final.
The entry, for which the prize is awarded, will become the sole property
of the Punjab Government which also reserves the right to postpone or with-
hold the award of the prize, if no entry of sufficient merit is received.
Applications, complete in all respects, must reach the Director of Agri-
culture, Punjab, Lahore, by 31st October, 1938, at latest.
PUBLICATIONS OF THE IMPERIAL COUNCIL
OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, INDIA
[Prices are inclusive of packing and Indian postage]
1. Agriculture and Live-stock in India
ICAR. 1
ICAR. 5
A bi-monthly journal of agriculture and animal husbandry for the general
reader interested in agriculture or live-stock in India or the Tropics.
(Established 1931. Published in January, March, May,
July,
September and November. Prepayable subscription Rs. 6 or 9s.
9d. per annum. Price per part Rs. 2 or 3s. 6d.). Volumes I to VII complete
are available.
2. The Indian Journal of Agricultural Science
A bi-monthly scientific journal of agriculture and the allied sciences, mainly
devoted to the publication of the results of original research and field
experiments. (Established 1931. Published in February, April, June,
August, October and December. Prepayable subscription Rs. 15 or
24s. per annum. Price per part Rs. 3 or 5s. 3d.). Volumes I to VII
complete are available.
3. The Indian Journal of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry
ICAR. 6
A quarterly journal for the publication of scientific matter relating to the
health, nutrition and breeding of live-stock. (Established 1931. Pub-
lished in March, June, September and December. Prepayable subscrip-
tion Rs. 6 or 9s. 9d. Price per part Rs. 2 or 3s. 6d.). Volumes I to VII
complete are available.
4. Scientific Monographs of the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research
ICAR. 10.1
ICAR. 10.2
ICAR. 10.3
ICAR. 10.4
ICAR. 10.5
ICAR. 10.6
No. 1. The Fungi of India, By E. J. Butler, C.I.E., D.Sc., M.B., F.R.S.,
and G. R. Bisby, Ph.D. (1931). Price Rs. 6-12-0 or 11s.
No. 2. Life-histories of Indian Microlepidoptera, Second Series : Alucitidae
(Pterophoridæ, Tortricina and Gelechiadæ), By T. Bainbrigge Fletcher,
R.N., F.L.S., F.E.S., F.Z.S. (1932). Price Rs. 3-4-0 or 5s. 6d.
No. 3. The Open Pan System of White-Sugar Manufacture, By R. C. Srivas-
tava, B.Sc. (1935, 2nd edition.) Price Rs. 3-2-0 or 5s. 6d.
No. 4. Life-histories of Indian Microlepidoptera : Cosmopterygidæ to
Neopseustidae, By T. Bainbrigge Fletcher, R.N., F.L.S., F.E.S., F.Z.S.
(1933). Price Rs. 4-8-0 or 7s. 6d.
No. 5. The Bombay Grasses, By E. J. Blatter, S. J., Ph.D., F.L.S. and C.
McCann, F.L.S. Illustrated by R. K. Bhide. (1935). Price Rs. 20-12-0
or 32s. 6d.
No. 6. Helminth Parasites of the Domesticated Animals in India, By G. D.
Bhalerao, M.Sc. (1935). Price Rs. 7-12-0 or 13s. 3d,
( 265 )
266
THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE, ETC. [VIII, VII
ICAR. 10.7
ICAR. 10.8
ICAR. 10.9
ICAR. 10.10
ICAR. 10.11
ICAR. 10.12
No. 7. Influence of Manures on the Wilt Disease of Cajanus indicus Spreng
and the Isolation of Types Resistant to the Disease, By W. McRae,
M.A., D.Sc. (Edin.), F.L.S. and F. J. F. Shaw, D.Sc. (Land.), A.R.C.S.,
F.L.S. (1933). Price Rs. 2-4-0 or 4s. 3d.
No. 8. The Silk Industry of Japan with Notes on Observations in the United
States of America, England, France and Italy, By C. C. Ghosh, B.A.,
F.E.S. (1933). Price Rs. 4 or 6s. 9d.
No. 9. Mechanical Cultivation in India. A History of the Large-scale
Experiments carried out by Burmah-Shell Oil Storage and Distribut-
ing Company of India, Ltd., By C. P. G. Wade. (1935). Price Rs.
3-14-0 or 6s. 6d.
No. 10. The Spotted Boll-Worms of Cotton (Earias fabia Stoll and Earias
insulana Boisd.) in South Gujarat, Bombay Presidency. (Final
report on investigations financed by the Indian Central Cotton
Committee, 1923-1931). By B. P. Deshpande, M.AG. and N. T.,
Nadkarny, B.Ag. (1936). Price Rs. 5-14-0 or 9s. 6d.
No. 11. Investigations on the Course and Distribution of the Nerves supply-
ing Levator anguli scapuli and Rhomboideus muscles and the form-
ation of the Phrenic Nerve in the Ox, with Observations on certain
Anatomical Deviations, By H. N. Chelva Ayyangar, G.M.V.C. (1937).
Price Rs. 4-10-0 or 7s. 9d.
No. 12. The Fungi of India, Supplement I. By B. B. Mundkur. (In the
Press.)
5. Miscellaneous Bulletins of the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research
ICAR. 8.1
ICAR. 8.2
ICAR. 8.3
ICAR. 8.4
ICAR. 8.5
ICAR. 8.6
ICAR. 8.7
ICAR. 8.8
ICAR 8.9
No. 1. List of Publications on Indian Entomology, 1930. Compiled by the
Imperial Entomologist, Pusa. (1934). Price As. 14 or 1s. 6d.
No. 2. List of Publications on Indian Entomology, 1931. Compiled by the
Imperial Entomologist, Pusa. (1934). Price As. 8 or 10d.
No. 3. List of Publications on Indian Entomology, 1932. Compiled by the
Imperial Entomologist, Pusa. (1934). Price As. 12 or 1s. 3d.
No. 4. Host Plant Index of Indo-Ceylonese, Coccidae, By S. Ramachandran,
L.Ag. and T. V. Ramakrishna Ayyar, B.A., Ph.D., F.Z.S. (1934).
Price Rs. 1-10-0 or 2s. 9d.
No. 5. List of Publications on Indian Entomology, 1933. Compiled by the
Officiating Imperial Entomologist, Pusa. (1935). Price As. 9 or 1s.
No. 6. Bee-keeping. By C. C. Ghosh, B.A., F.R.E.S. (3rd Edition.) (1936).
Price Rs. 1-14-0 or 3s. 3d.
No. 7. List of Publications on Indian Entomology, 1934. Compiled by the
Imperial Entomologist, Pusa. (1935). Price Rs. 1-2-0 or 2s.
No. 8. Selected Clinical Articles, Part I. By G. K. Sharma, G.P.V.C. and
R.L. Kaura, B.V.Sc., M.R.C.V.S. (1936). Price As. 8 or 10d.
No. 9. Statistical Methods and their Application to Agronomy : A biblio-
graphy. Compiled by K. K. Guha Roy, B.A. (1936). Price Rs. 2-2-0
or 4s.
PUBLICATIONS OF THE IMPL. COUNCIL OF AGRI. RES.
267
ICAR. 8.10
ICAR. 8.11
ICAR. 8.12
ICAR. 8.13
ICAR. 8.14
ICAR. 8.15
ICAR. 8.16
ICAR. 8.17
ICAR. 8 18
ICAR. 8.19
ICAR. 8.20
ICAR. 8.21
No. 10. Diseases of Sugarcane and Methods for their Control. By L. S.
Subramaniam. (1936) Price Rs. 1-14 or 3s. 3d.
No. 11. Tables of Standard Errors of Mendelian Ratios. Compiled by Swarn
Singh Purewal, M.Sc, Ph.D. (Cornell) and P. Krishna Rao, L.Ag. (1936).
Price As. 12 or 1s. 3d.
No. 12. List of Publications on the Botany of Indian Crops, Part II, for
the period 1928-32. Compiled by R. D. Bose, B.Sc., (1936). Price Rs.
3-6-0 or 5s. 9d.
No. 13. Two New Statistical Tables based upon Fisher's ' t '. By M. Vaidya-
nathan, M.A. (1936). Price As. 6 or 8d.
No. 14. List of Publications on Indian Entomology (1935). Compiled by
the Imperial Entomologist, Pusa. (1936). Price Re. 1-4-0 or 2s.
No. 15. Selected Clinical Articles, Part II, By G. K. Sharma, G.P.V.C.,
R. L. Kaura, B.V.Sc., M.R.C.V.S., S. Ganapathy Iyer, G. S. Khan,
G.M.V.C. and M. Y. Mangrulkar, B.Sc. M.Sc., M.R.C.V.S., D.T.V.M.
(EDIN.) (1937). Price Re. 1-4 or 2s.
No. 16. Indian Grazing Conditions and the Mineral Contents of some
Indian Fodders. By P. E. Lander, M.A., D.Sc, F.I.C., I.A.S. (1937).
Price Rs. 3-14 or 6s. 9d.
No. 17. A Brief Survey of some of the Important Breeds of Cattle in India.
By Col. Sir Arthur Olver, C.B., C.M.G., F.R.C.V.S., F.N.I. (1938).
Price Rs. 2 or 3s. 6d.
No. 18. Milk Records of Cattle in Approved Dairy Farms in India. By
K. P. R. Kartha. (In the Press.)
No. 19. A Preliminary Annotated List of the Fruit Pests of the North-
West Frontier Province by Hem Singh Pruthi, M.Sc., Ph.D. (Cantab.),
F.N.I. and H. N. Batra, B.Sc, Assoc. I. A. R. I. (In the Press.)
No. 20. Report on an Enquiry into the Cultivation of Cloves in India by
A. K. Yegna Narayana Iyer, M.A. (Cantab.), Dip. Agri. (In the Press.)
No. 21. Investigations on the Cold Storage of Mangoes by Dr. G. S. Cheema,
Dr. D. V. Karmarkar, M.Sc. Ph. D., A.I.I.Sc., and Mr. B. M. Joshi,
M.Sc
(In the Press.)
6. Annual Report of the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research
ICAR. 12.31
ICAR. 12.32
ICAR. 12.33
ICAR. 12.34
ICAR. 12.35
ICAR. 12.36
Annual Report of the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research for the
years 1929-30 and 1930-31. Price As. 12 or 1s. 3d.
Annual Report of the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research for the year
1931-32. Price As. 6 or 8d.
Annual Report of the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research for the year
1932-33. Price As. 6 or 8d. (Out of stock.)
Annual Report of the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research for the year
1933-34. Price Re. 1-8-0 or 2s. 6d.
Annual Report of the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research for the year
1934-35. Price Re. 1 or 1s. 9d.
Annual Report of the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research for the year
1935-36. Price As. 14 or 1s. 6d.