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THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY. [V, IV
It consists of a small canula, roughty 1½ inches long, which is sweated
to a stout metal rod having a dilated base, in such a manner that the canula
projects 5/16th inch beyond the base. A rigid steel trocar, having a solid brass head
fits into the canula and projects 1/8th inch beyond it. The head of the canula fits the
nozzle of a Record syringe. The actual injection is made by driving in the guarded
trocar and canula up to the guard flange by means of one sharp blow with a wooden
mallet.
In sheep showing a fair development of horn, or horn-buds approximately half-an¬
inch in length, the injections are made one-quarter of an inch orally to the middle of the
bases of the horns, one injection being given on each side of the head. In the case of
hornless sheep, the injections are made one-quarter of an inch from the mesial plane
of the head on each side, on a transverse line extending between points one-quarter of an
inch above the centres of the bony orbits of the eyes.
The injection may be followed by symptoms of pronounced intoxication, e.g.,
violent sneezing and incoordination of movement, but these, as a rule, pass off entirely
within half an hour. The method, however, has not been found safe for sheep under
about six months of age. [S. K. S.].
Recent research in poultry nutrition A. R. G. EMSLIE. Imperial Bureau of
Animal Nutrition, Technical Communication, No. 5, September 1934.
In this monograph the author reviews the recent experimental work dealing with
six phases of poultry nutrition, namely, " purified diets ", vitamins, minerals, " leg
weakness ", mineral balance experiments and hatchability. Work on simplified diets
(in which protein, fat, carbohydrates, etc., are supplied in " purified " form) has not
progressed sufficiently far to enable one to tabulate all the nutritional factors required
by chickens. The work which has so far been done in this connection does not seem
to have much immediate practical bearing, but it is of great scientific importance in as
much as it is possible to study in the laboratory a number of nutritional disturbances
affecting fowls kept commercially by simply varying the diets. A knowledge of the
etiology of various diseases can thereby be gained and curative and preventive measures
can be instituted. The chicken's requirements for some of the vitamins has received
considerable attention from the practical standpoint, but much more remains to be
studied. The clinical appearance of chickens suffering from vitamin A deficiency is not
very specific. The feathers are ruffled and ' staring ', and the birds are hunched up.
A staggering gait, incoordination of movements, drowsiness and disinclination to move
may be other features. The blood uric acid content increases to a high value and is a
diagnostic feature. When however yellow maize is more than 25 per cent of the
ration or some cod liver oil is given and a good grass range is provided, vitamin A
deficiency is unlikely to occur.
An inadequate supply of vitamin D to growing chickens will result in certain
symptoms of malnutrition. Chief of these is the flexible state of the limb and breast
bones and beaks. The limb and breast bones often become crooked. Postmortem