NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
June, 1955]
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151
The antigen for the test was standardized against standard dried antiserum
recommended for use, internationally, in serum agglutination tests. 2, 3, 5-tryphenyl
tetrazolium chloride was used for colouring the antigen instead of haematoxylin,
which is used for colouring the antigen for Brucella abortus ring (A.B.R.) test, and
which may be decolourised if the bacterial content of the sample of milk to be tested
is high. Alum treatment of the antigen was said to reduce or eliminate zoning
which occurred in some samples of milk tested with untreated antigen.
For performing the R.M.A. test, which is comparable to the ordinary serum
agglutination test, the author used more or less fat-free milk samples instead of
whole milk used in the A.B.R. test. To maintain the colour and gross physical
properties in all the dilutions of sample of milk under test, the diluting fluid consisted
of fat-free milk from Brucella negative cow and not physiological saline. The test
could be used as an aid to diagnosis of Brucellosis not only in herds but also in
individual cows. (P.S.B.)
Value of urea nitrogen in rations containing different carbohydrate feeds. H. C. BELL,
W. D. GALLOP and C. K. WHITEHAIR (1953). J. Anim. Sci, 12, 4, 787—797
THE
present investigation was designed to determine by nitrogen balance
procedures, the comparative value of some common carbohydrate feeds, in
promoting efficient utilization of urea nitrogen by steers.
Three experiments, each consisting of a series of nitrogen balance trials, were
conducted. Corn and sweet potato rations were compared in the first experiment;
corn, barley and milo in the second, and corn, corn plus molasses, and molasses in
the third. Each of these feeds was combined with prairie hay and oil meal to provide
basal ration with seven to eight per cent crude protein. Urea was added to each
ration in amount required to provide a total of 11-12 per cent protein equivalent.
Supplementation of each ration with urea had no effect on the digestibility
of nutrients other than protein which, however, increased in all rations. Urea
supplementation also increased nitrogen retention. The same amount of supple-
mental urea effected a greater increase in nitrogen retention with the corn ration
than with the corn-molasses ration or the molasses ration.
Biological values calculated for the total nitrogen of the supplemented rations
indicated that the urea nitrogen was utilised with equal efficiency in rations of
different cereal grains and sweet potatoes, and with less efficiency in molasses
contained rations. (M.M.J.)
Avianization of lapinized rinderpest virus J. NAKAMURA and M. YAMOTO, T. (1953).
Amer. J. vet. Res., 14, 307—317
LAPINISED
rinderpest virus, Nakamura strain III, has been accepted by
many workers of different countries as a suitable vaccine for bovine species having
wide range of susceptibility. But it has been found that certain hypersusceptible
breeds of cattle cannot withstand inoculation with this strain. According to the
authors, Korean cattle and Japanese native cattle when inoculated with lapinised
152
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[Vol. XXV, Part II
virus exhibited a high reaction and a few of them died of rinderpest. In order to
bring about further attenuation of the lapinised virus it was decided to adapt the
virus to chicken embryo. Accordingly, the virus was serially passaged through
chick-embryos with occasional outpassaging through rabbits and by this method
adoptation of the virus for chicken embryo could be achieved. In some cases
the chicken embryos were inoculated through intravenous route. In this process,
the virus developed marked increase in propagating property in and infectivity
for chicken embryos. At the same time a considerable decrease in its pathogenicity
for rabbits and cattle had been attained. The authors have, thus, been able to
produce a lapinised avianized strain. This strain has maintained the property of
propagation in an inoculated rabbit in which it produces the characteristic thermal
reaction and lesions in Peyer's patches, though these signs of infection are not so
prominent and constant as compared to those produced by the original lapinised
virus.
Attenuation of the virus for cattle has been noticed after 246 chicken embryo
passages with 41 rabbit outpassages. At that stage it provoked a slight to moderate
thermal reaction when inoculated into Japanese calves and Holstein-Friesian calves.
This grade of infectivity was maintained by the virus through 19 further embryo
passages.
The virus at this stage did not give sufficient immunity to protect these animals
against a challenge with bovine virus.
However, after a total of 302 passages in embryos the virus has been found
to produce similar reaction (i.e. infective but safe) in Korean calves which are as
susceptible as the Japanese calves, but produces sound immunity against challenge
with the bovine virus.
According to the report the strain has undergone passage through 330 chicken
embryos with 41 rabbit out-passages.
The authors anticipate that this lapinised avianised virus will be safe and potent
immunising agent for highly susceptible cattle. (M.S.M.)
A quantitative study of rumen synthesis in the bovine on natural and purified
rations. I. Protein, dry matter and non-protein nitrogen. I. P. AGARWAL, C. W.
DUNCAN and C. F. HUFFMAN (1953). J. Nutri., 49, 1, 29-39
T HIS investigation was carried out to obtain quantitative information on
the biosynthesis of protein in the rumen of fistulated calves when urea was the
sole source of dietary nitrogen. The amount and rate of disappearance of dry matter
and non-protein nitrogen from the rumen was also studied. The experiments were
conducted on three rumen fistulated calves and one intact calf, of approximately
six months age weighing from 400 to 560 lb. The rumen fistulated calves were
maintained on purified ration consisting of corn starch, glucose, cellophane, lard,
mineral mixture and urea. The intact calf was maintained on natural ration consist-
ing of grain mixture and brome-timothy hay. It was found that percentages of
rumen dry matter and non-protein nitrogen increased appreciably within six hours
after feeding, but that of crude protein increased in only four out of seven trials.
June, 1955]
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153
The rate of passage of dry matter from rumen within a 6-hour period was approxi-
mately the same on both the purified and natural rations (approximately 60 per cent).
Approximately 90 per cent of the non-protein nitrogen disappeared from the
rumen within six hours after feeding. The urea was thus converted into
ammonia before it could be utilised by rumen micro-organism. The protein
synthesised appreciably from urea in the bovine rumen within six hours after
feeding, the amount of synthesised 'true' protein varying from 33 to 109 gm.
in the seven trials. The authors assume that the increase in protein is due to
the biosynthetic activity of the micro-organs in the rumen. (P.T.V.)
The effects of freezing bovine spermatozoa in extenders containing antibacterial agents.
H. O. DUNN, G. L. LARSEN and E. L. WILLETT (1953). J Dairy Sci., 36, 7, 728-732
T HE presence or absence of sulfanilamide, penicillin and streptomycin in
extenders in eight possible combinations and their effects on viability of sperma-
tozoa at 75° C were studied in this experiment with semen from ten different bulls.
The method of dilution and storage was the same as evolved by Polge C and
L. E. A. Rowson [1952]. The final extenders contained 25 per cent egg yolk and
10 per cent glycerol with 0.3 per cent sulfanilamide or 500 units of penicillin or
streptomycin per milliliter in each extender. Both frozen and unfrozen samples of
semen at 75° C and 5° C were stored for a period of 30 hours in the respective eight
treatments.
In samples stored at–75°C containing 0.3 per cent sulfanilamide, the reduction
in viability of spermatozoa ranged from 29-43 per cent. Revival rates with all
the treatments ranged from 46 to 83 per cent. A low survival range of 46 to 50
per cent was obtained in samples with all treatment combinations containing
sulfanilamide. This was statistically significant.
Since semen of one Holstein bull stored in extenders at–75° C with or without
antibacterial agents was used separately in a preliminary fertility experiment,
obtaining 43 per cent higher fertility in one without anti-bacterial agents, the data
were not of statistical importance.
The toxic effect of sulfanilamide in extenders, frozen and thawed prior to the
addition of semen samples stored for 48 hours at 5° C, was also studied. The mean
motility of spermatozoa in 16 ejaculates ranged from 33.0 per cent in extenders
containing sulfanilamide and 53.1 per cent in extenders without sulfanilamide.
The difference of 20 per cent was highly significant.
Sulfanilamide, therefore, should not be used in yolk citrate extenders to be
frozen and as regards antibiotics in frozen extenders, their use should be restricted
till further data on fertility rate are available. (S.G.S.)
Organisms of the pleuropneumonia group causing diseases in goats. D.G.F.F. EDWARD,
(1953). Vet. Rec., 65, 873-874
T HE author has emphasized the importance of distinguishing between contagious
agalactia and contagious pleuropneumonia of goats because accurate identification
of these strains is particularly necessary if attempts are made to control the disease
June, 1955]
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155
The vaccines prepared were of formalinized aluminium hydroxide type. The
culture virus vaccines were prepared from the culture tissue collected after 18 to
24 hours incubation. The cattle were vaccinated subcutaneously in the dewlap.
In the third week after vaccination they were challenged intradermally into the
tongue with 10,000 1D 50 of an appropriate strain of virus. Though primary lesions
developed at the site of inoculation, animals with no secondary lesions were classed
as 'protected'.
According to the author, three different strains were tried. With two virus
strains, the virus content of the culture at the peak of infectivity was about the same
as that of vesicle epithelium from the tongues of reacting cattle, while variable
and less satisfactory results were obtained with the third strain, but one culture
passage yielded tissue of sufficiently high virus content for the preparation of vaccine
of sufficient potency. As a result of passage in culture, no modification in the
antigenic behaviour of the strains was detected. (B.K.K.)
Compost (built-up) litter as a sanitation procedure. D. C. KENNARD (1954). World's
Poult. Sci., 10, 40-41
I N the past the sanitation procedure in the brooder and laying houses was
mostly limited to the frequent removal of floor litter, cleaning, scrubbing
spraying and starting again with fresh litter. In theory this was alright for preven-
tion or control of diseases such as coccidiosis of chickens, but in actual practice over
a long period of years it failed to be dependable and increased the incidence of certain
diseases. The author, therefore, made experiments with compost built-up litter as
a sanitary procedure by virtue of its chemical and biological activities, comparable
to those of the compost heap, sewage disposal practices and those of the soil.
According to the author, compost (built-up) litter is one that starts with new
thick layer of litter and continues with the use of the same litter for successive
broods of chicks or flocks of layers. It is necessary that the litter be used for two
or three previous broods of chicks (20-24 weeks) or used by adult birds not less than
six months; during this period, it becomes a partially composted back to earth
material with a depth of 6 to 8 inches or more. It is during the first six months
that the litter acquires its sanitation properties and is comparable to that which
occurs in the compost heap.
The results of the experiments over a period of five years which included 20,000
chickens, indicate that compost litter aids in the prevention and control of
coccidiosis and B.W.D. It seems, likewise, private farmers from the U.S.A. have
reported similar results. Poultrymen, therefore, need not consider it necessary to
sacrifice their valuable old used compost litter simply because of an outbreak of
disease in a previous brood of chicks. (S.G.I.)
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[Vol. XXV, Part II,
The utilisation of molasses and urea in the rations of growing dairy cattle. V. R.
VOHMAN, G. W. TKIMBERGER, J. K.LOOSLI and K. L. TURK (1954). J. Dairy Sci., 37,
3, 284-293
T HE utilisation of molasses at high levels of supplementation and of urea with
molasses as the only carbohydrate supplement, has been studied with 80 dairy
heifers over a two-year period in two separate experiments.
Poor quality hay was supplemented equally with (1) molasses and urea, (2)
corn and soybean oil meal, (3) molasses and soybean oil meal and (4) molasses, corn
and urea respectively, in four similar groups. The rations containing soybean
meal resulted in significantly higher rates of growth than those containing urea
and molasses. However, a small amount of corn increased the efficiency of urea
and/or molasses ration. Replacement of poor quality hay by good quality hay
brought about an improvement in the utilisation of molasses.
Digestion and balance studies were also conducted with eight bull calves in
two replicates of a 4×4 Latin square design. The nitrogen balance data substan-
tiated the growth data. The digestibility of nitrogen was highest in the corn-
soybean ration and lowest in the soybean-molasses ration. The amount of urinary
nitrogen was greatest in the urea supplemented rations, and thus significantly more
nitrogen was stored from soybean meal rations than from either of the urea supple-
mented rations. Apparently molasses was not an adequate carbohydrate for the
synthesis of protein from urea.
Molasses also depressed the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, ether
extract and crude fibre. (S.S. N.)
Wool growth as affected by nutrition and by climatic factors. I. E. Coop (1953).
J. Agric. Sci., 43, 456-472
T HE present investigation was undertaken to study the effect of environmental
factors under different levels of nutrition on the rate of wool growth.
The weight, length and quality (fineness) of the monthly clips of the wool
produced on the delineated skin areas of grazing corriedale sheep—wet ewes, dry
ewes and lambs— subjected to different levels of nutrition, and also on the stall-fed
corriedale ewes maintained on a controlled maintenance diet, have been deter-
mined at different times of the year. The results indicate the existence of a strong
seasonal rhythm of wool growth, characterised by a maximum in summer or early
autumn, and minimum in mid-winter. Sympathetic changes in both length and
diameter are responsible for the quantitative variations in wool growth.
Nutrition is not responsible for the seasonal rhythm, but it plays an important
part in determining the time and magnitude of the maximum and minimum wool
growth. In dry sheep, the maximum occurs before mid-summer when pasture
growth is at its best. Pregnancy and lactation, like nutrition have a strong in-
fluence on the amplitude and shape of the rhythm.
June, 1955]
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157
The fundamental cause of seasonal rhythm in wool production remains obscure
but the rhythm is so strong that it cannot be masked by nutrition, pregnancy or
lactation.
The seasonal rhythm of solar radiation is, no doubt, one of the factors but not
the only factor affecting wool growth. Environmental temperature has got no
direct effect on wool growth, nevertheless, it is suggested that it may be a second
factor (V. N. M.)
Effect of transportation upon fertility of dairy bulls. E. L. WILLETT and G. L. LARSON
(1953). J. Dairy Sci., 36, 1186-1189
T HIRTY-SIX bulls of different breeds were transported over long distance and
their rate of fertility and semen characteristics were studied. The data
collected indicate a significant rise in the semen volume but the increase in
fertility rate and number of spermatozoa per milliliter was not significant. It has
been concluded that the fertility of the bulls was not impaired by transporta-
tion. [S.K.D.]
The influence of glycerol level and various temperature aspects and certain other
factors on the survival of bull spermatozoa at sub-zero temperatures. W. L. MILLER
and N. L. VANDEMARK, J. Dairy Sci., 37, 1, 45-51
T HE paper deals with effects of variations in glycerol levels, rates of cooling and
thawing and storage temperatures, on bull semen frozen in the egg-yolk-citrate
diluent.
If glycerol is added slowly to semen diluted 1 : 1 with yolk-citrate diluent
at 5°C., the spermatozoa is not affected by the level of glycerol upto 30 per cent.
An experiment carried out to determine the effect of sperm number and glycerol
level on survival of sperm after freezing to —79°C., revealed that there was higher
percentage of motile sperm in 5 per cent glycerol level than in the 10 per cent. The
concentration of spermatozoa did not affect the motility rate after freezing at any
of the glycerol levels.
In another experiment the effect of glycerol level and thawing temperature
after freezing and subsequent storage was determined. It was observed that the
samples which were thawed at 38° C. did not live longer when subsequently stored
at 5°C. than those thawed at 5°C. and subsequently stored at 5ºC. The rate
of deterioration increased with each glycerol level. Immediately after thawing,
samples thawed at 5° C. exhibited a higher percentage of motile sperm than
those thawed at 38° C. The survival of the spermatozoa in the samples thawed
at 5°C. increased with each increase in glycerol level.
Addition of glycerol at 4 to 5° C. has been found desirable. At the glycerol
level of 7 per cent, better survival was obtained if the glycerol was divided into three
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[Vol. XXV, Part II,
parts and then added slowly (10 minutes). Instantaneous addition of glycerol decreas-
ed motility slightly. An equilibration of spermatozoa with glycerol for six hours
before freezing resulted in higher survival after thawing than for lower equilibration
time.
The best rate of freezing was found to be 1 to 4° C. per minute, upto 5
to —20°C.
Samples which were frozen and maintained at —23° C. and —65° C. apparently
underwent changes at a rate which rapidly accelerated as the temperature became
warmer. However, the nature of the changes was not apparent. Preliminary
results suggest that higher storage temperature may be possible if higher level of
glycerol is used. (P. N. S.)
The preference for wool—its scientific basis. J. B. SPEAKMANN (1953).
Booklet issued by the Wool Education Society, International Wool Secretariat, London
S. W. I
T HE author in this booklet deals with molecular structure and properties of
wool fibre as quality crimp, scaliness, shrinkage, etc. The molecular structure
consists of polypeptide chains joined by cross linkages. The strength and resis-
tance of the fibre can be increased by additional cross linkage in the polypeptide
chains, which can be achieved by treating with formaldehyde or benzoquinone.
The wear resistance can be further strengthened either by external or internal depo-
sition of wear resistance polymers, which also reduce milling shrinkage.
The author describes three methods of wool testing.
1. Visual and lactile judgment
2. Physical testing
3. The modern method by assessing plasticity of wool
Plasticity is the ability of the fibres to dissipate internal stress by molecular
re-arrangement and is measured by determining the rate of extension under the
same stress at the same temperature and humidity. Variation in plasticity seems
to be associated with type of follicle from which fibres are derived. Wool fibres
from primary follicle are more wiry and more suitable to carpet manufacture, while
those from secondary follicles are more suited to clothing because of their plasticity.
Crimp : The crimp or waviness of fibres increases with fineness of fibre. The
advantages of crimp are ease of spinning and it plays a part in determining the
handle and warmth of finished product.
Scaliness : The wool fibres have scale on the surface which are imbricated, so
that fibres when rubbed lengthwise or treated with aq. solution of acid of soap, the
fibre migrates in the direction of their root and the structure is consolidated. This
property is utilised in felt manufacture and in milling process. Consolidation also
increases warmth of fibres.
Anti-shrink finishes : Further shrinkage is prevented by treating fibre with
gaseous chlorine and water and subsequently with alkali which causes surface layer
June, 1955]
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159
of the fibres to swell and become rubbery. When such fibres are rubbed, the surface
scales are lost and the property of migration and shrinkage are lost.
(The article mainly keeps business aspects of wool technology in view. The
vital point interesting to us is the study of the ratio of primary to secondary follicle
in the various breeds of sheep in India, which will give an idea of the type of breed
for particular industry.) [G. S. L.]
The survival of Salmonella gallinarum in poultry carcases. F. T. W. JORDON,
[1954]. Brit. vet. J. 110, 387-392
T HE author describes experiments to assess the viability and consequent infec-
tivity of Salmonella gallinarum in poultry carcases. Fourteen carcases from
eight acute outbreaks were tested after exposure to atmospheric conditions for
varying periods during different parts of the year.
Antimortem infection with Salmonella gallinarum in opened carcases was con-
firmed by plating material on D. C. S. S., by staining with gram, by sugar reaction
and by their titration against Salmonella type D antisera. Cultural tests of cloacal
swabs were considered confirmatory in case of unopened carcases.
Post-mortem material was seeded into 10 C.C. of selenite F broth and subcul-
tured on D. C. S. S. plates to get Salmonella colonies. Maggots preying on such
carcases and their internal tissues were separately tested for detecting organisms.
Biochemical tests demonstrated organisms in liver upto 11 days, in bone marrow
upto 25 days, in the bone marrow of unopened buried carcase after 32 days, in
water of submerged carcase upto nine days and in maggots for 25 days. [B.M.G.)
Stilboestrol and the control of sex in poultry. SPICER ARNOLD [1954]. Brit. Vet. J.
110, 358-359
W ITH a view to studying the effect of stilboestrol on sex in poultry, the author
has carried out some experiments by implanting 30 mg. stilboestrol tablets in
cockrels whose testes had not fully developed. It was found, that intraperitoneal
implantation, irrespective of the dose used, had longer period of effectivity, with no
danger of encapsulation, as compared to subcutaneous implants in the upper part
of the neck. Stilboestrol did not damage the testes. These cockrels selected 4-5
months after implantation, when put to breeding on the pullets born of implanted
cockrels, increased the number of females in the second and subsequent generation.
(Such experiments are worth a trial in India) [P.S.R.]
Keeping qualities of live rinderpest vaccines. H. S. PURCHASE, M. L. BURDIN,
G. R. Scott and J. G. BROTHERSTONE [1953]. Vet. Rec. 37-65, 590-592
T HE author presents in a tabular form, an account of viability trials of freeze-
dried caprinised (K. A. G.) rapinised rinderpest vaccine when stored at tem-
perature conditions of —4° to —22° F. for varying periods. He discusses the indis-
pensable role that the freeze-dried vaccine would play in the event of an effort to
eradicate rinderpest from Africa.