NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
March 1955] A. SINGH, J. D. KOHLI AND D. B. PARIHAR 29
large amount of parallelism between the earthworm and tapeworm and the differences
that are seen are minor and more apparent than real. In any case these differences
are not so acute as recorded by Wenzel and Gibson [1951] between the earthworm
and the roundworm. In view of these facts it may be suggested that the use of
earthworm may be justified for preliminary screening of at least taenicides if not
all anthelmintics.
Figures given in Tables I and II indicate that the drug exerts a marked ver-
micidal action. Experiments on tapeworms of sheep and goat show that quali-
tatively the nature of action of the acetyl saponin is very much similar to that of
extract filic. on human tapeworms, e.g., T. solium and T. saginata as observed
by Feng, et al., [1948]. Our observations so far seem to indicate that Anagallis
arvensis may prove a suitable source of drug for treating tapeworm infections.
Further work in this direction is in progress.
SUMMARY
1. In vitro studies show that the acetyl saponin from Anagallis arvensis Linn
possesses marked taenicidal activity in contrast to lack of effect on roundworms.
2. Kymographic studies indicate similarity of action between the saponin
and extract filic. both on earthworm and tapeworm.
3. Some relationship between the effect of saponin on earthworm and tape-
worm is indicated and it is suggested that earthworm is a suitable test object for
preliminary screening of taenicides.
REFERENCES
Baldwin and Moyle (1949). Brit. J. Pharmacol, 4, 145
Chopra, R. N. (1933). Indigenous Drugs of India, Art Press Calcutta, 461
Feng, L. C., et al., (1949). Peking. Nat. Hist. Bull., 17, 233
Jenkins and Manchey (1936). J. Amer. Pharm. Ass. (Sci. Ed.), 25 : 196
Kirtikar, K. R. and Basu, B. D. (1935). Indian Medicinal Plants, Second edition, 11, 1474
Lamson and Ward (1936). Science, 84, 293
Olkers and Rathje (1941). Arch. Exp. Path. Pharmak, 198, 317
Sollman, T. (1918). J. Pharmacol., 12, 129
Wenzel and Gibson (1951). J. Pharm. & Pharmacol. 3, 169
112 AR/54 5
NOTE ON A METHOD OF PROTECTING FOWLS AGAINST
SPIROCHAETOSIS
By S. G. Dixit, Assistant Disease Investigation Officer (Poultry), Bombay State,
Poona
(Received for publication on 15 May 1954)
T HE well-known method of immunising birds against spirochaetosis by infecting
them with spirochaete positive blood followed by injection with some arsenical
preparation appears to be rather risky on farms where the infection has already been
rather severe. With a view to finding out a suitable method of protection, an attempt
was made to afford protection without the risk of producing the disease.
Earlier workers, Gabritschewsky [1938], Marchoax and Salimbeni [1903] and
Levadill [1904] attempted to produce serum, serum and virulent blood, and inactivat-
ed convalescent serum with partial success.
Dschunkowsky [1909] tried curative and protective vaccine from serum of
recovered geese and claimed success.
Aragao [1911] tried formalised fowl's blood as vaccine while Aoki [1914] tried
chloroform-treated blood. Both these achieved some success.
Other workers as Morcos [1935] and Knowles [1932] tried emulsified liver
and, spleen and serum, respectively.
Workers in India, Srinivasan and Sankaranarayan [1943] also tried refrigerated
blood, serum simultaneous and immunisation by drug. The last-named is the one
referred to at the beginning of this article and is most popularly used as the method
of choice.
On the lines taken by Aragao [1911], an attempt was made to see if the spiro-
chaetes killed in vitro could be used to afford protection to birds for a reasonable
period. The present attempt was made with the help of famous antibiotic penicillin
to kill the spirochaetes in vitro.
EXPERIMENTAL
From a naturally affected bird that showed spirochaetes in blood (++) meaning
that an evenly spread blood film showed five to ten spirochaetes in one field, citrated
blood was collected by puncturing the wing vein. The blood was allowed to lie
in the refrigerator for a period of 14 days. After this two weeks refrigeration, the
spirochaetes were seen alive, though sluggish, when seen under dark ground illu-
mination method. Penicillin was then added to this citrated blood at the rate of
15,000 units per ½ c.c. of blood. Penicillin was allowed to act for 30 minutes at
room temperature. In another case, citrated blood collected from a naturally
affected bird was allowed to lie in the refrigerator for 21 days instead of 14 days
as in the first case.
31
112 AR/54
6
32
NOTE ON A METHOD OF PROTECTING FOWLS
[Vol. XXV, Part I,
Table I
S. No.
1
2
Material
Spirochaete
positive blood
Do.
Days of
refrige-
ration
14 days
21 days
Condition of
spirochaetes after
refrigeration
Living
but
slug-
gish
No movement
Antibiotic used and
dose
15,000 units of peni-
cillin per ½ c.c. of
blood
Do.
Period of treatment
with antibiotic
30 minutes at room
temperature
Do.
A batch of 12 three-month old birds, which had never suffered from spirochae-
tosis and was healthy when subjected to experimentation, as ascertained by
repeated blood examination, was injected with spirochaete positive 14 day-
refrigerated penicillin-treated blood at the rate of ½ c.c. per bird. Two birds were
left as controls in the same pen.
A second batch of six two-month old birds, which was healthy and which had
never suffered from spirochaetosis was injected with spirochaete positive 21 day-re-
frigerated penicillin-treated blood at the rate of ½ c.c. per bird. Two birds of the
same age were left as controls.
Birds from both these batches were kept under observation for a period of 12
days following inoculation during which period, morning and evening examination
of blood smears from all the birds was carried out. None of the birds from any
batch showed any spirochaetes in them at any time during the period of observation.
Two of the 12 birds from the first batch, however, showed slight illness, but there
were no spirochaetes in blood and the birds made uneventful recovery.
Table II
S. No.
1
2
Birds
immu-
nised
12
6
Age of
birds
3
2
Dose of vaccine
(Spirochaete
positive refrigera-
ted penicillin
treated blood)
½
C.C.
½ c.c.
Period of
observation after
protection
10 days
10 days
Results of
observation
No spirochates
any time
Do.
Remarks
Sickness in two
birds
No sickness at all
These 'protected' birds were then challenged for immunity tests after 25 and
63 days respectively. For this purpose, two birds from each lot were injected with
virulent spirochaete positive blood from naturally affected bird that showed (+++)
tangle formation in blood smears. Two controls were injected simultaneously every
time. The challenge dose used was ½ c.c. of citrated blood, drawn from a naturally
affected bird immediately after seeing the smears, and used simultaneously. These
birds after being challenged were kept under observation for ten days during which
period blood examination was carried out twice a day. The 'protected' birds
neither showed any spirochaetes in blood nor had any illness during the period of
observation. The controls, however, on both the occasions became ill on the third
day, showed typical symptoms of spirochaetosis and showed spirochaetes in blood
smears made between 36th and 48th hours of the challenge dose. As the disease
March 1955]
S.
G.
DIXIT
33
progressed they became highly positive and the blood smears appeared +++
(meaning more than 10 spirochaetes in each field). The 'protected' birds remained
normal with no illness at all in spite of the challenge dose.
Table III
S. No.
1
2
No. of
birds chal-
lenged
4 (2 from
each
batch)
Do.
No. of birds
kept as
controls
2
2
Period after
which chal-
lenged dose
was given
25 days
63 days
Dose of
virulent
material
½ c.c. of po-
sitive cit-
rated
blood
Do.
Period of
observa-
tion
10 days
Do.
Results
in pro-
tected
birds
No spiro-
chaetes
any time
No
ill-
ness
at
all
Do.
Result in control
birds
Blood
positive
(
)
typical symptoms
of spirochaetosis
Do.
It is hoped that further experimentation on these lines will yield useful results
so that the problem of protection against spirochaetosis can be solved. Further
trials on duration of immunity are being carried out.
SUMMARY
1. Spirochaete positive blood was kept in the refrigerator for a period of 14
and 21 days respectively.
2. The blood was then treated with penicillin at the rate of 15,000 units per
½ c.c.
3. This blood was used to protect three-month old birds with ½ c.c. as the dose.
4. A challenge dose of ½ c.c. of virulent spirochaete positive blood after 25 days
and 63 days was given to four birds selected at random.
5. The birds remained normal in spite of the challenge dose, while the controls
became infected and were saved with Sulfarsenol.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I am thankful to the Disease Investigation Officer, Bombay State, Poona, for
the encouragement be has given to me in carrying out this work.
REFERENCES
Aoki, K. (1914): Zeit. f. Immunitatsf. Orig. 23, 127.
Aragao, H. De B. (1911) : Mem. do. Oswaldo Crus. 3, 3.
Dschunkowsky, E. and Lush, J. (1909) : Rev. in J. Trop. Wed. Hyg. 12, 292.
Gabritschewsky, G. (1938) : Zemrablatt. f. Bakt Orig. 23, 779.
Knowles, D., Das Gupta, B. M. and Basu, B. C. (1932) : Indian Med. Res. Memo. No. 22,1
Levaditi, C. (1904): Ann. Inst. Past. 18, 129.
Marchoux, E. and Salimbeni, A. (1903) : Ann. Inst. Past. 17, 569
Morcos, Z. (1935) : The Yet. J. 91, 161
Srinivasan and Sankarnarayan (1943) : The Yet. J. 39, 8, 9, 10
VALUE OF A FEW PROPRIETARY PREPARATIONS IN THE
CONTROL OF ECT OPARASITES OF LIVESTOCK
By P. BALARAMA MENON, C. M. SEN GUPTA and B. C. BASU, Indian Veterinary
Research Institute, Izatnagar (U.P.)
(Received for publication on 24 October 1953)
I N a previous communication, Menon, Sen Gupta and Basu [195], a and b] reported
the insecticidal properties of 10 proprietary preparations and discussed the justi-
fication for testing the efficacies of such preparations. In the present paper, they
record the value of nine proprietary preparations as insecticide in the control of
ectoparasites of livestock. The products were received by the Director, Indian
Veterinary Research Institute, from the manufacturers for testing their insecticidal
value. The insecticides are as follows:
1. Kitkari AP/5045
2. Kitkari AP/1035
3. Kitkari BP/505
4. Hexamar
5. Benexide WP 50
6. Lotexane dusting powder
7. Sarcoptan
8. Lethane B 71
9. Rhothane D 3
EXPERIMENTAL METHODS
A series of experiments were conducted to test the insecticidal value of each
of the above mentioned preparations on different species of arthropods. Generally
the insecticides were tried in the dilutions recommended by the manufacturers.
Dusts were applied by means of a dust gun or by means of cotton wool with the hand.
Suspensions or solutions were sprayed on the animals by means of a hand sprayer
or dabbed with cotton wool dipped in the liquid, to the affected parts. Daily
observations of the treated animals were made. Control animals of each series were
also kept under observation.
Kitkari AP/5045
Manufactured by Messrs. Progressive Chemical Corporation Ltd., Bombay, it
contains 50 per cent DDT suspension powder. This product in dilution of 3/4 pound
to 10 gallons of water or approximately at a strength of 0.375 per cent DDT was
tested against ticks and lice on goats and dog tick. It was very effective
against goat lice both biting and sucking, Bovicola caprae Gurlt and Linognathus
35
112 AR/54
7
36
CONTROL
OF
ECTOPARASITES
[Vol. XXV, Part I,
stenopsis Burm., which were all killed within 24 hours. Against ticks, Hyalomma
aegyptium Linn, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus Latr., only partial success was obtained
as it did not completely eradicate them. Buffalo calves infested with the lice,
Haematopinus tuberculatus Giebel, were cleansed within 48 hours. About four ounces
of spray material was sufficient for one small animal.
Kitkari AP/1035
Manufactured by the same firm and containing 10 per cent DDT powder, it
was tested against poultry lice, (Menopon sp. and Goniocotes sp.). Dusted well
into the feathers of the birds, all lice were killed within 24 hours. No reinfestation
was noticed for a period of three months.
Kitkari BP/505
Marketed by the same firm and containing 5 per cent BHC dust, it proved to
be as effective as Kitkari AP/1035 in controlling poultry lice. All dusted birds
were free of poultry lice (Menopon sp. and Goniocotes sp.) within 24 hours. No re-
infestation took place for three months.
Hexamar 5 per cent BHC dust
Marketed by Messrs. Bharat Pulverising Mills, Bombay, for use in the control of
ticks, lice, fleas, in cattle, sheep, poultry, etc. When dusted into the feathers of
poultry, it controlled lice infestation. Lice belonging to the genera Menopon and
Goniocotes, were completely eradicated within 24 hours. Groats, cow calves and
buffalo calves were completely cleansed of ectoparasite infestation particularly of
the lice, Bovicola caprae, Linognathus sp. and Haematopinus tuberculatus.
Benexide WP 50
Marketed by Messrs. Agri-Orient Industries Ltd., Bombay, it is a water suspen-
sion product of 50 per cent BHC containing 7.5 per cent gamma isomer. The above
suspension used in a strength of 0.5 per cent, i.e. one and half ounces of the drug to
a gallon of water on cow and buffalo calves heavily infested with the lice, Lino-
gnathus vituli and Haematopinus tuberculatus, thoroughly cleansed the animals of lice
and eradicated the infection. Goat lice, too, (Linognathus stenopsis and Bovicola
caprae), were all killed within 24 hours of its application. Roughly, four ounces of
the prepared material was required for a small animal.
Lorexane dusting powder
Manufactured and marketed by the Imperial Chemical Industries (India)
Ltd., and containing 0.1 per cent of the pure gamma isomer of benzine hexachloride,
this product was found satisfactory in the control of lice infestation in calves and
goats. Considerable reduction in the number of lice, Linognathus sp., was noticed,
but not complete eradication. Against the goat lice Bovicola caprae, the results
were more encouraging as the animals were free of lice within five days.
Sarcoptan
Marketed by Messrs. Noury and Van Der Lande Ltd., Holland, this antiscabio-
sum, containing hexachlorocyclohexane in miscible oil, when diluted one part to
hundred parts of water and applied on dogs infested with demodectic mange, cured
March 1955] P. B. MENON, C. M. S. GUPTA AND B. C. BASU 37
the dogs of the mange (Demodex canis Leydig). A second application after a week
was found necessary to bring about complete cure. No reinfestation was noticed for
a period of six months.
Lethane B 71
This insecticide was supplied by Messrs. Amritlal and Co. Ltd., Bombay, and
was said to be highly effective against many insects. It is an organic thiocyanate
commercially known as Lethane and contains 13.5 per cent dust of β, β-Dithio-
cyanodithyl ether (C 4 H 8 O (SCN) 2 ), also called n-butylcarbitol thiocyanate. Diluted
one in six with talcum powder and dusted well into the feathers of fowls rid the birds
of all the lice (Menopon sp. and Goniocotes sp.) within 24 hours. The birds remained
free of lice for three months
Rhothane D 3 Powder
Manufactured by Messrs. Rohm and Haas, U.S.A., and supplied by Messrs.
Amritlal & Co. Ltd., Bombay, this analogue of DDT is said to be safer than DDT in
the control of ectoparasites. This product when dusted into the feathers of lice-
infested birds, rid the fowls of the lice, Menopon sp. and Goniocotes sp., within 24
hours and kept them free from reinfestation for about three months.
SUMMARY
In order to evaluate the insecticidal action possessed by them, nine proprietary
insecticides, viz. Kitkari AP/5045, Kitkari AP/1035, Kitkari BP 505, Hexamar,
Benexide WP 50, Lorexane dusting powder, Sarcoptan, Lethane B 71 and Rhot
hane D 3 were tested in varying dilutions on different species of arthropods
infesting livestock.
Kitkari AP/5045 (diluted 1.2 ounces to a gallon of water) was found very
effective against goat lice, both biting and sucking, Bovicola caprae and Linognathus
stenopsis and buffalo lice Haematopinus tuberculatus. Against ticks Hyalomma
aegyptium and Rhipicephalus sanguineus only partial success was obtained as it
did not completely eradicate the ticks. Kitkari AP/1035, Kitkari BP/505, Hexamar,
Rhothane D 3 and Lethane B 71 (one in six) when dusted into the feathers of birds
rid poultry of poultry lice (Menopon sp. and Goniocotes sp.) Hexamar and Benexide
WP 50 (0.5 per cent) controlled lice infestation in goats, cow and buffalo calves
(Bovicola caprae, Linognathus spp. and Haematopinus tuberculatus) and completely
eradicated the infestation within 24 hours. Benexide WP 50 (0.5 per cent) also con
trolled effectively tick infestation in dogs Rhipicephalus sanguineus but reinfection
took place after seven days. Lorexane dusting powder was found satisfactory in
the control of lice infestation in cow calves and goats. Single dusting completely
eradicated Bovicola caprae but not Linognathus sp. Sarcoptan (one in hundred)
applied on dogs infected with demodectic mange cured the dogs of mange (Demodex
canis Leydig). A second application after a week was necessary to bring about
complete cure. No reinfection was noticed for a period of six months.
REFERENCES
Menon, P.B., Sen Gupta, C.M. and Basu, B.C. (1951, a). Studies on the insecticidal
properties of a few proprietary preparations. Proc. 88th Sci. Congr., III, 217-218
——(1951,
b). Tests on some proprietary insecticides. Indian J. vet. Sci. 21, 215-227
PHYSIO-CHEMICAL INVESTIGATION ON PLACENTAL
FLUIDS OF BUFFALO
By E. S. E. HAFEZ and M. A. M. KAMAL, Department of Animal Breeding,
Faculty of Agriculture, Fouad I University, Giza, Egypt
(Received for publication on 10 March 1954)
C ERTAINLY one of the most adapted environments of any organism is that of
the developing mammal in utero. The protection and nourishment for the young
embryo within the uterus are provided by a well-developed placental system, the
placental membranes and fluids. In the early stages of the pregnancy, the
placental fluids increase rapidly at a greater rate than any other part of the conceptus.
These fluids by extension have a stimulating growth action on the uterus. They
also form a flexible covering so that the foetus itself is protected from local external
pressure either from the uterine walls or through movements of the mother. During
late pregnancy the placental fluids hold the embryo in place of the uterus. In
certain species, however, such as the rabbit, these fluids are absorbed at a rapid rate,
until in the period just before parturition merely a few drops are left [Hammond,
1935]. The absorption of the fluids is not merely a passive one but depends on the
vital processes and the life of foetus itself [Huggett and Hammond, 1952].
Most of the available data on the placental fluids in ruminants are summarised
by Needham [1931]. Additional data on sheep will be found in the papers of Malan
and Curson [1937], Cloette [1939] and on the cow in Hammond's monograph [1927]
and in Williams monograph [1951]. All this work deals mainly with the volume
changes and physical properties, but no physio-chemical studies have so far been
published. It is of interest to state that such physio-chemical studies have been
carried out on the uterine milk (uterine secretion which bathes the surface of placen-
tal membranes and is absorbed by the foetus) [Amroso, 1952].
The buffalo is a ruminant of the ox-tribe family, sub-family Bovinae. Out
of the five species in wild condition, there is only the Asiatic buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)
which is now domesticated and is found in many tropical and sub-tropical countries
[reviewed by Hafez, 1952].
The following study was an attempt to provide some basic information from
which to interpret different phenomena related to placental physiology in the buffalo
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The material was 23 uteri of pregnant Egyptian buffaloes at different stages of
pregnancy. The pregnant animals were sacrificed and the uteri were carefully
removed to the laboratory covered with wet towels. The gravid uteri represented
five stages of pregnancy (P. I, II, III, IV and V). In each case the uterus was
carefully dissected and the chorion was then separated gently from the maternal
cotyledons. During all stages of pregnancy, the foetal cotyledons could be freed
from the maternal cotyledons with ease. A clean syringe was used to draw all the
39
112 AR/54
8
40
PHYSIO-CHEMICAL INVESTIGATION ON PLACENTAL FLUIDS [Vol. XXV, Part I,
allantoic fluid from the foetus. When all the fluid was drawn, the allantio-chorion
was cut open to expose the aminon with the foetus. Another clean syringe was
then used to draw the amniotic fluid from the amniotic sac. The amniotic sac was
then freed from the foetus and the umbilical cord was cut at the attachment to the
foetus. The diameter and weight of the foetus was measured to determine the
approximate age of pregnancy (Table I). The diameter of the foetus (which was
measured from the forehead to the top of the tail) more accurately determined the
age of pregnancy than the foetal weight.
TABLE I
Different phases of pregnancy under investigation as measured from diameter and weight
of foetus
Phase of pregnancy
PI
P II
P III
P IV
P V
No. of
cases
3
3
6
7
4
Foetal weight (gm.)
Range
0.1—1.0
1.8— 9.5
28.0—171.0
202.0 —350.0
932.0—1870.0
Mean
0.7
4.2
97.2
282.3
154.7
Foetal length (cm.)
Range
0.2—2.0
1.6—5.9
8.9—16.0
16.6—21.0
26.3—40.0
Mean
1.2
3.6
12.9
19.1
32.2
The placental fluids were kept in the refrigerator at 4°C. and the physio-chemical
analyses were carried out within 24 hours. At the first step qualitative analyses
were carried out. Phenol and toluene were then added to the samples as preserva-
tives to hinder enzyme action and the samples then kept in the refrigerator till
the quantitative analyses were completed.
The following tests were carried out for the amniotic and allantoic fluids at different
stages of pregnancy.
I. Specific gravity. It was determined by means of a pyknometer (standard
50 c.c. Geissler type or Sprengel's tube according to the volume of the sample of
fluid).
II. Qualitative analysis
(a) Creatinine : Jaffé creatinine test was followed.
(b) Glycogen : Determined by means of Iodine test.
(c) Reducing sugar (glucose): Benedict test was carried out.
(d) Acetone bodies : Determined by Nitroprusside test using the techniques
of Legal and Rothera.
(e) Amino acids: Determined by means of colour reactions of proteins :
buiret—, Xanthoproteic—-, Adamkiewicz—, Millon—, Mollisch—,
and Sulphur—, tests.