ABSTRACTS
347
in grade, providing extra moisture was rewarded with increased returns of 20 to 25
dollars a month on the basis of 8 to 10 cases of large eggs weekly. Seldom can such
immediate increased cash returns, by the adoption of a practical, inexpensive procedure,
be demonstrated so positively.
Until more definite information becomes available the authors conclude that with a
temperature of 50 to 60°F. in the egg holding room the relative humidity should be around
70 per cent and with a temperature of 60 to 70° F. it should be about 80 per cent. Under
these conditions of temperature and humidity care should be taken to keep egg rooms
clean and supply adequate circulation to prevent the growth of moulds and the develop-
ment of musty odours.
The use of supplemental moisture to reduce the loss of egg quality in egg storage
rooms is now becoming a common practice in America, where the relative humidity of
the atmosphere falls low, even though the temperature may be relatively low, and as
the method is relatively inexpensive the same procedure might well be adopted in India
with equally desirable results. [ T. S. K.]
The use of phenothiazine in veterinary parasitology. W. E. SWALES (1940).
Canad. J. Comp. Med. 4, 333
A LTHOUGH the drug was first shown to have anthelmintic powers against worms
in pigs and sheep, it has recently been shown to be of great value against strongyloid
nematodes of horses, certain nematode parasites of cattle and cæcal worms of
poultry.
The data available are summarized under the heading of host animals as follows :—
1. Sheep.—The drug is highly efficient against the three species of stomach worms,
the hookworms, the nodular worms and the large-mouthed bowl worm (Chabertia).
Against the smaller trichostrongyles it is effective and removes over 80 per cent of them.
It has also been shown that the treatment acts as an effective prophylactic measure.
The doses recommended for the spring treatment of the farm flocks are :—33-40 grams
for ewes of small breeds, 40-50 grams for ewes of large breeds and for rams, 30-40 grams for
yearling stock. For routine treatment of lambs the doses recommended are :—10 grams
for lambs in mid-summer, 20-25 grams for young stock in autumn. A single dose has
negligible toxicity but repeated doses are stated to be dangerous.
From the data obtained in Great Britain the use of the drug in goats should be as
satisfactory as its use in sheep.
2. Horses.—The drug is a good anthelmintic against strongyloid worms in horses,
but it must be used cautiously and by qualified veterinarians. It exerts a toxic effect
varying from a slight malaise to abdominal pain and definite anæmia. Previous symp-
tom of anæmia is a contraindication. The safe dose is 60-80 grams. From analogy
repeated doses in horses would be dangerous.
3. Pigs.—This drug is regarded as a specific for nodular worms in these animals,
but it is not of any special value against Ascaris. Doses recommended range from 5-30
grams depending on the weight of the animal.
4. Cattle.—Excellent results with the drug have been reported against Haemonchus,
Oesophagostomum, Trichostrongylus axei and Ostertayia ostertagi, but against Cooperia
spp. the results were not encouraging. 0.44-1.1 gm per kg. of body weight did not
produce definite toxic effect in calves.
5. Poultry.—It has high efficiency against Heterakis gallinae, but lower efficiency
against Ascaridia. The removal of Heterakis may be a means of controlling blackhead
of turkeys. For general use a dose of 0.1-0.5 gm. is recommended.
6. Carnivores.—The drug has, apparently, a low anthelmintic effect in carnivores.
Phenothiazine itself has a tendency to produce a constipating effect upon the treated
animal and this effect may defeat the purpose of the dose. It is therefore obvious that
a laxative be included, with each dose. Animals to be treated should not be subjected
to prior fasting, for this has an undesirable effect. The presence of the drug in the fæces
prevents the development of larvæ.