NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
164
SAURASHTRA WOOLS—THEIR PHYSICAL CHARACTERS [Vol. XXIV, Part III,
areas which are famous for their Pattanwadi and Bikaneri breeds of sheep. The
average annual rainfall in the State is 20-25 inches but great variation in the average
annual rainfall and climatic conditions is encountered in different parts of the
State. The rainfall varies from 10 to 15 inches in the dry northern zone to 30
to 35 inches or more towards the coastal areas in the South. Topographically, the
State can be divided into three different regions—the dry northern zone with an
annual rainfall of 10-15 inches, the medium central zone with an annual average
rainfall of 20-25 inches and the high rainfall region of the Southern coast with an
average rainfall of 30-35 inches. For the purpose of this study, the regions are
designated as regions A, B and C respectively.
With a view to explore the possibilities and the potentialities for improvement
of wool from this State, nine representative commercial samples were analysed
in the Wool Department, Government Livestock Farm, Hissar, Punjab.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Origin of the samples
The wool samples analysed in this study were collected from commercial wool
centres of Saurashtra State where the wool from different places are collected, opened
and blended by the dealers. Fifteen samples were obtained through the generous
help of the Director of Agriculture, Government of Saurashtra. The samples were
collected from the loose bales before they were opened and handled by the dealers.
To ensure accuracy of samples representing particular areas, one of the authors,
personally went to the different places for the collection of the samples. At the
commercial centres, coloured wool is collected and baled separately. Few samples
from the coloured grades were also collected but only nine of the white samples
were analysed in this study. Out of these nine samples, five represented the dry
area or the region A, two represented the medium or the region B and the remaining
represented the high rainfall area or the region C.
Preparation of the samples
The method of sampling was on the lines employed by Mahal [1949] and is
described below.
Each sample was first spread on the table and divided into eight approximately
equal sub-samples. Great care was taken to prevent the breaking of the fibres.
By taking small portions from each sub-sample, several composite sub-samples
were then formed for the study of different characters.
Before proceeding with the analysis, the representative samples were scoured
to remove extraneous matter. The method used for scouring was the same as that
employed by Johnston [1934]. After scouring, the samples were air-dried at room
temperature for 36 hours. Each sample was then blended with the help of fingers
for the study of different characters.
Methods used for analysis
The various tests and determinations made in the analysis of the samples
included, (i) medullation test, (ii) stretched fibre length, and (iii) fibre thickness
measurements of composite samples, and fibre types in the different samples.
166
SAURASHTRA WOOLS—THEIR PHYSICAL CHARACTERS [Vol. XXIV, Part III,
average fibre type content in the nine samples is 51.9 per cent true wool, 35.8 per
cent heterotypical fibres, 11.9 per cent hair fibres and 0.3 per cent kemp. The
largest variation is in the true wool fibres in different samples varying from 20.0
to 82.5 per cent; variation in the heterotypical fibres is from 8.8 to 51.0 per
cent and in the hair from 6.5 to 29.0 per cent. None of the samples are comple-
tely free from hair and eight out of nine samples are free from kemp. The average
content of the kemp fibres is only 0.3 per cent which can be considered as negligible.
No coloured fibres were found in any of the nine samples.
TABLE I
Results of medullation test
Sample
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Climatic
region
A
A
A
A
A
B
B
C
C
Average
Percentage of fibre types by count
True
wool
56.4
82.5
48.1
47.0
76.6
50.8
52.5
33.5
20.0
51.9
Hctero-
type
28.1
8.8
42.8
47.5
18.2
39.0
41.0
46.4
51.0
35.8
Hair
15.5
8.7
9.1
5.5
5.8
7.2
6.5
20.1
29.0
11.8
Kemp
..
..
..
..
..
3.0
..
..
..
0.3
Percentage of total fibre
by Projection method
Non-medul-
lated
65.8
92.4
69.2
64.7
88.4
56.1
69.9
57.3
50.3
68.2
Medullated
34.2
7.6
30.8
35.3
11.6
43.9
30.1
42.7
49.7
31.8
The medullation test by the projection method shows a variation range of
49.7 per cent to 7.6 per cent of medullation in the different samples. The average
medullation percentage of non-medullated fibres for all the samples put together
is 68.2 per cent while the medullated fibres are 31.8 per cent. The range of variation
in the non-medullated fibres is from 50.3 to 92.4 per cent in the nine samples.
It can be summarised from both the above tests that although the range of
variation in medullation is very wide in the different samples, a larger proportion
of samples are close to each other. Excepting the sample numbers 2 and 5 which
are practically free from medullation and sample number 9 which is practically
hairy, the rest of the sample do not show a wide range of variation from each other.
Another apparent result is that almost all the samples are nearly free from hair.
Except sample numbers 2 and 5 the percentage of heterotypical fibres is prominent
in all of them though not exceeding the proportion of true wool fibres. According
September, 1954]
B. B. BUCH AND G. S.MAHAL 167
to various workers like Bryant [1933], Barker [1931], Elphick [1932], Waters
[1935] and Nanda, Singh and Mogre [1945], medullation in wool is probably inherited.
Although from the above results there appears a great scope for the elimination
of hair fibres from the Saurashtra wools though selective breeding of indigenous
sheep, it seems necessary to resort to cross breeding with superior selected animals
of Pattanwadi or Bikaneri breeds of sheep for quick and speedy improvement.
Town and McMohan [1944] by subjecting large quantities of Romney wool to
various stages of manufacture, noticed that hairiness up to the extent of six per cent
as determined by the McMohan's medullometer, did not affect the processing pro-
perties of the wool and produced no marked difference in the appearance and handle
of either woven or knitted fabrics. The hairiness could not be detected in dyed
cloths. An extremely low medullation contained in the sample numbers 2 and 5
shows great possibilities of improving the wool for clothing purposes. It also shows
that suitable sorts can be picked out from Saurashtra wools for the manufacture
of clothing material.
Stretched fibre length measurements
The results of the stretched fibre length measurements of the entire samples
and different fibre types are shown in Table II.
The range of variation in the entire samples is from 4.4 to 10.9 cm. with
a coefficient of variability range of 16.4 to 30.2 per cent. The range of average
length in true wool fibres is from 4.0 to 10.7 cm. with a coefficient of variability
range of 10.4 to 18.5 per cent.
TABLE II
Stretched fibre length measurements
Sample
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Climatic
region
A
A
A
A
A
B
B
C
C
Entire sample
Mean
cm.
4.4
10.9
9.6
9.9
9.9
10.1
9.6
7.2
6.0
G. V.
per cent
17.3
19.3
18.8
19.2
19.1
16.4
16.8
20.1
30.2
Different fibre types
True wool
Mean
cm.
4.1
10.7
9.4
8.0
9.1
8.9
8.6
6.6
4.0
C. V.
per cent
16.0
14.3
10.4
17.5
12.5
11.6
17.0
18.5
15.8
Heterotype
Mean
cm.
4.7
11.1
11.2
10.2
10.1
11.4
10.3
7.8
5.0
C. V.
per cent
31.8
17.5
14.3
18.5
15.5
19.0
17.3
14.1
11.8
Hair
Mean
cm.
4.1
12.1
10.5
11.5
6.3
10.1
7.9
8.4
6.3
C. V.
per cent
41.3
24.3
17.3
16.3
56.6
26.2
15.0
9.3
21.7
168
SAURASHTRA WOOLS—THEIR PHYSICAL CHARACTERS [Vol. XXIV, Part III,
The range of average length in heterotypical fibres is from 4.7 to 11.4 cm.
with a coefficient of variability range of 11.8 to 31.8 per cent.
The range of average length in the hair fibres is from 4.1 to 12.1 cm. with
a coefficient of variability range of 9.3 to 56.6 per cent.
Although there is a good uniformity in length in individual samples, sample
numbers 1, 8 and 9 show considerably short length as compared to the rest of the
samples. This is probably because of the irregular shearing practices followed in
certain areas. In the areas from where sample numbers 8 and 9 are taken, shearing
is practised three times in a year and hence the improvement for bringing up all
the samples to a uniform average length can be affected if this practice is followed
on uniform basis throughout the State. The highest variability is noticed in the
hair fibres. If hair fibres are eliminated through selective breeding and heteroty-
pical fibres are reduced to a minimum, there would be ample scope to improve the
length of wool.
The fibre types in individual samples show fairly good uniformity in length
and the outer coat does not show any marked elongation from the under-coat; in
other words they are more or less similar in length. This small range of variation in
the mean length of different types of fibres in the samples denote that the wool
possesses a good spinning quality.
Fibre thickness measurements
The results of the analysis for fibre thickness of entire samples and fibre types
with their variabilities are given in Table III.
TABLE III
Thickness measurements of entire samples and of the fibre types
Sample
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Climatic
region
A
A
A
A
A
B
B
C
C
Entire sample
Mean
cm.
33.3
32.6
33.8
38.8
32.9
32.7
29.6
30.9
40.3
C.V.
per cent
31.2
28.7
28.5
35.0
35.2
33.0
37.1
31.5
48.4
Different fibre types
True wool
Mean
cm.
22.4
22.8
22.4
26.3
22.8
23.4
22.0
22.9
24.3
C.V.
per cent
16.1
12.2
16.0
15.2
11.8
14.1
19.1
20.1
15.6
Heterotype
Mean
cm.
34.5
34.9
31.1
36.2
32.1
35.5
32.3
32.7
32.7
C.V.
per cent
20.5
18.8
12.2
14.9
19.9
16.3
19.2
15.1
18.9
Mean
microns
41.1
42.0
46.9
58.9
46.8
42.4
40.4
44.8
53.4
Hair
C.V.
per cent
16.5
18.5
11.1
31.9
18.5
17.9
13.8
18.7
17.9
POSSIBILITY OF VIBRIO FOETUS INFECTION EXISTING
IN CATTLE IN INDIA
By R. N. MOHAN,* Assistant Animal Husbandry Commissioner with the Government
of India, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi
(Received for publication on 14 April 1954)
S INCE the discovery of Vibrio foetus some forty years ago by M'Fadyean and
Stockman [1913] as a cause of abortion in cattle (and sheep) in Britain, similar
findings have been reported from several other countries, notably America, Australia,
Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Austria, Hungary and Japan. The literature on the
subject has been recently reviewed by Prier [1952] and partly also by Lawson and
Mackinnon [1952]; and V. foetus has now assumed a greater importance as a cause
of infertility than that of abortion [Sjollema, Stegenga and Terpstra, 1949]. The
organism has not so far been discovered in India, but this may be due to the fact
that no systematic search has yet been made for it. Polding [1948], however, did not
encounter any case of V. foetus infection during his extensive investigation of con-
tagious abortion in cattle, sheep and goats in this country.
In this preliminary report is recorded some evidence based on agglutination
tests suggesting the probable existence of V. foetus infection in cattle and buffaloes in
India. Confirmation of this must, of course, await cultural demonstration of the
organism, but it is hoped the preliminary observations reported here will serve to
direct further investigations towards ascertaining the extent of V. foetus infection in
India and its economic importance.
TESTS AND RESULTS
The observations reported in this paper were made in Uttar Pradesh and are
confined to the results of some agglutination tests performed on vaginal mucus of
82 cows and seven buffaloes (including a few sexually mature female calves) of
three different herds. The animals tested were mostly those which had failed to
conceive after two or more services. Herds 1 and 2 consisted of indigenous Hariana
cattle and Murrah buffaloes. Herd 3 consisted mainly of Jersey/Sindhi crosses,
a few pure Sindhis, and a few Murrah buffaloes.
The antigen used in these tests was kindly prepared by Dr J. Terpstra of the.
Rijksseruminrichtung, Rotterdam, and was received through the courtsey of the
F.A.O. Films made from the antigen on its arrival revealed Gram-negative vibrios
in purity, on examination under the microscope. The vaginal mucus was collected
with sterile precautions (on suitable tampons), suspended in about 5 c.c. saline, and
tested usually after overnight storage in room (cold weather) or refrigerator. In
the case of several animals, the blood serum was simultaneously subjected to agglu-
tination test with the V. foetus antigen and, in a few cases, also with the Brucella
* Formerly Veterinary Investigation Officer, Uttar Pradesh.
173
57 AR/54.
8
September, 1954]
R.
N.
MOHAN
175
3. Some 20 specimens of vaginal mucus as well as blood serum forwarded to
Weybridge, England, showed marked agglutination only in the case of vaginal mucus
of the buffalo on test there.
4. The observations made suggest that V. foetus infection probably exists in
India.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The writer is indebted to Sir Thomas Dalling of the FAO, Rome, for kindly
arranging for the V. foetus antigen; to Dr J. Terpstra of Rotterdam for kindly
preparing the antigen; and to Dr J. R. Lawson of "Weybridge for kindly testing
a few specimens forwarded to him. The assistance of Shri C. S. Mathur of the State
Livestock Research Station, Mathura, and the help given by the authorities of the
herds concerned are also acknowledged.
REFERENCES
Lawson, J. R. and Mackinnon, D. J. (1952). Vet. Rec., 64, 763
M'Fadyean, J. and Stockman, S. (1913). Cited by Lawson and Mackinnon
Polding. J. B. (1948). Indian J. vet. Sci. 18, 115
Prier, J. E. (1952). Vet. Med., 47, 85
Sjollema, P. Stegenga, T. and Terpstra, J. (1949). Proc. 14th int. vet. Congr., London
ABSTRACTS
Studies on disinfection of eggs and incubators. 1. The survival of Salmonella
pullorum, thompson and typhi-murium
on the surface of the hen's egg
and on incubator debris. LANCASTER, J. E. and CRABLE, W. E. (1953). Brit.
vet. J. 109, 139-148
A STUDY has been made of the behaviour of Salmonella pullorum, Salmonella
thompson and Salmonella typhi-murium when placed on the surface of a hen's
egg. The results show that the Salmonella disappear rapidly from the shell of the
egg under normal egg incubator conditions. At room temperature the organisms
survive for approximately 21 days on clean eggs and for a longer period in artificially
dirty eggs.
Experiments with atmosphere of increased humidity suggest that the rapid
death of Salmonella under incubator conditions might be due primarily to a drying
effect under the conditions described, penetration of Salmonella pullorum and Salmo-
nella thompson into the white of the egg occurred a very small number of times.
External contamination of the shell of a naturally clean egg with Salmonella pullo-
rum and Salmonella thompson would, therefore, appear to be an unlikely means of
introducing infection, when a separate hatching compartment is in use. (Author's
own summary—B.N.G.)
Bovine sterility caused by infectious disease in South Africa. VAN RENSBURG
S. W. J. (1953). Brit. vet, J. 109, 226-233
I T is a brief review of infectious diseases causing sterility, which according to
the author form the most important economic group of factors which produce
temporary or permanent sterility in animals. Those diseases which are not venereal
in nature but produce secondary lesions in genitalia, are also listed. These include
brucellosis, T.B., lumpy skin disease, glóbidiosis trichomoniasis, vibriosis, contagious
granular vaginitis, contagious epididymitis and vaginitis in cattle. In lumpy skin
disease in female, nodules may occur in uterine wall and in male, in the scrotum,
testes, inner surface of the prepuce and on the glans penis. In globidiosis cysts
occur in scrotum, inguinal canal and invade the stroma of the testes, where they
become calcified, and cause sterility. Contagious epididymitis and vaginitis in
brief referred as 'Epivag' and contagious anterior vagino-cervicitis are considered to
be the major causes. Incidence of sterility has been greatly reduced with introduc-
tion of artificial insemination leading to trebling of milk production in some dairy
herds infected with 'Epivag.' In ranching areas, artificial insemination has increased
conception rate in some beef herds from 30 to more than 80 per cent (H.K.L.)
177
57 AR/54
9
September, 1954]
ABSTRACTS
181
were reversed, so that group II was control and group I received the supplement.
The reversal period continued for eight weeks.
The feeding of terramycin supplement to young dairy calves produced a signi-
ficant increase in growth, stimulated appetite and improved the general appearance.
The feeding of terramycin showed a lesser effect on older calves. After an initial
increase in rate of growth for the first two weeks of feeding the growth-rate gradually
declined to control level. No conclusion can be drawn as to the effect of
terramycin in the control of scours due to its very slight incidence in these trials.
(M.L.M.)
Feather measurements and egg production. GERICKE, A. M. AND ERASMUS, J.
World Poult. Sci. J. 8, 4, 271-276
S TUDIES were made on the variations occurring in feather measurements and
their relationship with egg production, body weight and length of the shank
of the bird. In the measurements of feathers of birds of different breeds and age,
great variation was obtained in the length and width of the back feather in front
of the preen gland, than those of the first secondary and fourth and tenth primary
feathers. In general the variation in width was greater than in the length.
With White Leghorn hens positive correlation coefficients were obtained between
the length of the feather and the length of the shaft or rachis, but the coefficients
were of a low magnitude between the length of the feather and that of the quill.
In an inbred flock the variations in measurements of shaft, quill and length of
the tenth primary, centre tail and the back feather of the daughters of five sires,
were not large.
There was a tendency for the hens with long and wide feathers to be the heaviest
in the flock and also have shorter shanks.
In tests with White Leghorn hens it was observed that the length of the back
feather and the width of the first secondary and fourth primary were greater in
low producers than in high producers. In another experiment with 75 White
Leghorn pullets the following observations were made.
Length of the shaft
of the tenth primary
Under 14.3 cm.
Under 14.3 cm.
Over 14.3 cm.
Width of the
back feather
Under 3 cm.
Over 3 cm.
Over 3 cm.
Average egg
production
167.8 eggs
140.0 eggs
140.4 eggs
(H.P.T.)
The fertility of cows inseminated at various intervals after calving. SHANNON.
F. P., SALISBURY, 6. W. AND VAN DEMARK, N. L. (1952). J. Anim. Sci. 11,
350-355
W ITH a view to study the effect of the length of period between calving and
rebreeding of dairy cows on their fertility, the authors surveyed the breeding
records maintained at the Southern Illinois Co-operative Breeding Association
from February 1948 to January 1949.
182
ABSTRACTS
[Vol. XXIV, Part III,
Data covering a total of 7071 cows and 13,782 inseminations, which, were com-
plete in respect of data of calving and data of insemination with normal gestation
periods were collected and subjected to statistical treatment.
The results are presented in two original tables.
It is concluded that a minimum period of 50 days is desirable between calving
and breeding of cows in artificial insemination programme for achieving satisfactory
conception rates. [U.D.S.]
Physiological factors associated with genetic resistance to fowl typhoid. BELL,
A. E. (1949). J. Infect. Dis. 85, 154-169-
I N this paper an attempt has been made to correlate differences in body tempera-
ture and digestive ability of phagocytes with differences in resistance of fowls
to fowl typhoid.
Highly significant variations in body temperature were observed between
resistant and susceptible strains. A positive correlation of 0.83 was found between
body temperature and disease resistance. For three days during the incubation
period following inoculation with Salmonella gallinarum, the resistant birds showed
significantly higher temperature than the susceptible ones, followed in the later
stages of the disease by a much higher temperature in the susceptible chickens.
Similar trend in body temperature was noticed within the strain between the sur-
vivors and those dying of the disease. By reducing the body temperature artificially,
it was found that at lower temperatures resistance was lowered within both the
susceptible and the resistant strains.
No significant difference was found in the bactericidal power of serum or whole
blood between the resistant and the susceptible strains. There was also no significant
difference in the phagocytic activity between the resistant and the susceptible
strains at a constant temperature of 41°C., but this activity increased in both the
strains with each elevation in temperature.
Both the strains differed significantly in their bacteriolytic property, poly-
morphs in the resistant birds destroyed a higher percentage of ingested bacteria
than in the susceptible ones. It has been suggested that this bacteriolytic ability
of the polymorphs is a factor of primary importance in genetic resistance to fowl
typhoid, and the differences in body temperature play only an auxiliary role. [C.R.]
Concept of veterinary public health (1953). Chron, W.H.O. 7, 9, 227-238
T HE distinguishing characteristic of veterinary public health is its concern
with any linkage with human and animal health problems.
Veterinary public health has been defined as comprising all the community
efforts influencing and influenced by the veterinary medical arts and sciences—
applied to the prevention of diseases, protection of life, and promotion of the well-
being and efficiency of man. In concrete terms, the principal functions of public
health veterinarians are as follows.