NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
17
a helminthic granuloma of the equine skin to be recorded in India.
Mr. Bhalerao, the Helminthologist, who has now been entrusted with
these studies in connection with Bursatee, examined serial sections from
the other specimens received during the year, but no further worms
were seen. Interesting information on allied conditions, such as Swamp
Cancer in Australia and Esponja in the Argentine, was collected from
the respective countries.
VIII.—STRANGLES.
The application of control measures and the use of Tryparsamide
in this condition was referred to last year. Transmission of the disease
with samples of crude strangles pus and bacteria free filtrates was
attempted by Mr. Cooper in collaboration with Major T. F. Arnold,
R.A.V.C. In one case a filtrate of pus, which was shown on cultural
examination to be bacteriologically sterile, was administered intra-
tracheally into a healthy foal, and a thermal reaction was obtained. This
seemed to lend support to the view that the specific disease strangles
may be due to an ultravisible virus, but attempts to confirm this finding
on two later occasions failed.
IX.—KUMRI.
Pathological material and spinal fluid from a case of this interesting
condition was received for examination at this Institute from Mr. M. I.
Malik, Special Officer, Civil Veterinary Department, North Bihar.
Study of the structural changes in the internal organs from this case
confirmed the view that the elusive question of the etiology of this condi-
tion will have to be approached from several angles before any results
are likely to be achieved, and this was not possible with the available
staff.
X.—SHEEP AND GOAT DISEASES.
Portions of small intestines from a sheep showing numerous pea-
sized nodules, were received through the kindness of Mr. J. H. G. Jerrom,
Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Sindh and Rajputana.
The history given was that the material was obtained from a member
of a flock of sheep suspected to be suffering from Parasitic Gastritis, which
did not respond to treatment directed against nematodes. Microscopic
examination revealed a very interesting condition of intestinal schisto-
somiasis. Sections of adult worms in some of the blood vessels and
clusters of ova and larvæ were seen embedded in the submucosa. In
addition to this, typical adults were removed from the diseased tissues
and Mr. Bhalerao identified these as S. indicum, Montgomery. In view
of the similarity of the symptoms of these cases with Phet or Pitto,
referred to last year, in which Paramphistomum cervi is thought to be
an important factor, this finding is noteworthy, and it may be recalled
with interest that Baldrey (1906) implicated both larval amphistomes
and schistosomes in connection with a similar disease condition known
as Gillar, with which he dealt in the Punjab.
18
XI.—CANINE DISTEMPER.
Consignments of Distemper Virus were received from England for
test on dogs at this Institute. In our experiments the virus did not
produce the classical symptoms of Distemper in the pariah dogs that
were employed, but this may have been due to the fact that the dogs
were not fully susceptible, and it is noteworthy that in one case, in which
some of the virus was returned to England, it proved to be alive when
received there.
XII.—CANINE TYPHUS.
In connection with this investigation a number of samples of serum
from diseased dogs at Peshawar, Ambala and in the Malwa Kennels,
Kandighat, were examined by the agglutination test against Salmonella
and other organisms previously recovered from dogs in this country,
but no positive readings were recorded. An endeavour was made to
estimate the virulence of some of the above organisms by feeding them
to dogs. No elevation of temperature or any other noticeable effect
was produced by the ingestion of the cultures, and agglutination tests
with the serum of the experimental dogs against the appropriate cultures
failed to reveal any evidence of infection. On cultural examination of
fæces from these cases, non-lactose fermenters were isolated and these
cultures are now being studied with a view to determine if they bear any
relationship with the cultures originally used in the experiments. No
conclusion can be drawn from the failure of the above feeding experi-
ments, as the cultures may have become attenuated by maintenance
in the laboratory.
XIII.—AVIAN DISTEMPER.
During the year under review the English, Philippine and Java strains
of the virus which were being maintained here, became so attenuated
that they had to be discarded.
A relationship between this virus and that of Rinderpest was
suggested by workers in Madras but this could not be confirmed in the
experiments undertaken at this Institute.
XIV.—FOWL TYPHOID.
An extensive outbreak of disease among poultry in the Punjab was
investigated and it was found to be due to Salmonella gallinarum, which
is the second record only of this organism in India. Later during the
year, another outbreak of the same condition was discovered at Muktesar
among experimental birds, and it appears, therefore, that this organism
is commoner in India than previously supposed.
XV.—MISCELLANEOUS CONDITIONS.
(1) Actinomycosis in the buffalo.—A case of this condition which
appears to be very rare in India, was detected during the year. The
19
growths were found on the subparotideal and retropharyngeal regions
on both sides of the neck of a buffalo heifer, 18 months old, in a Sindh
village.
(2) Sterility in animals.—Several enquiries on this subject were
received, and it was brought to our notice that a certain amount of
success had been obtained in the province of Bengal by Mr. P. J. Kerr,
Director, Civil Veterinary Department, in the treatment of bulls, showing
a disinclination to serve and heifers not coming into season by the injec-
tion of filtered urine from a pregnant cow. A résumé of the literature
on this subject has therefore been prepared for publication, and certain
experimental work connected with the application of the Aschheim—
Zondek test for pregnancy to animals initiated.
(3) Horn tumour in cattle.—This condition has been described by
several authors in India and has been classified as an epithelioma.
Specimens were received from the Bombay Presidency, in the histological
studies of which an interesting finding was the presence of the larvæ
of Chrysomyia bezziana, the common myiasis producing fly of India.
There exists a similar report by Patton (1921) of the occurrence of these
larvæ in the " cancerous horn of a bullock ".
(4) Lichen Tropicus in horses.—Several specimens of skin from
clinical cases were obtained and histologically studied when its resem-
blance to the condition in man known as craw-craw was noticed.
(5) Keratoma of the horse's hoof.—A case of this was met with during
the year, and in view of the rarity of this condition, a report was prepared
for publication by Mr. Krishna Iyer.
(6) Adventitious placental structure.—A case of great interest was
a cow that died of Johne's disease and showed peculiar lesions in the
uterus, which were found to be adventitious placental structures,
apparently having been formed owing to the destruction of the normal
placental caruncles. A description of the case is being written up for
publication.
(7) Contagious Ecthyma of goats.—A condition similar to or identical
with what has been described as Contagious Ecthyma of goats in other
countries was met with in goats at Muktesar. This condition does not
seem to have been reported before in India and further study of it will
be taken up, as opportunities occur.
XVI.—HELMINTHOLOGICAL STUDIES.
(1) In view of the heavy mortality of cattle in the Kumaon hills
due to an infection with Fasciola gigantica, an investigation was carried
out in the field, in collaboration with the United Provinces, Civil Veteri-
nary Department, to ascertain the molluscan host and to test the efficacy
of chemicals in the control of the disease. The intermediate host was
found to be Limnaea acuminata and a dilute solution of copper sulphate
F
20
appeared to act quite efficiently on this mollusc. Satisfactory results
in the treatment of buffaloes were obtained with Danistol.
(2) Certain Trematode parasites, which were hitherto supposed
to affect horses only, were found in Indian Elephants. The worms are
Pseudodiscus collinsi and Gastrodiscus secundus.
(3) A detailed study of the parasites of the goat and sheep
at Muktesar was made and a new round worm was discovered in about
90 per cent. cases of goat pneumonia. Interesting studies on the struc-
tural variations of Haemonchus contortus in goats and cattle were also
made.
(4) Recent work at Muktesar in connection with Nasal Granuloma,
Bovine Hæmaturia and certain diseases of sheep have brought
the Schistosome group of worms to the forefront. As certain interesting
facts have come to light during these investigations, a modification of the
old description of the group would seem to be indicated and work on this
subject is in progress.
(5) A monograph on the helminth parasites of the domesticated
animals in India, which has taken several years to compile, was com-
pleted during the year by Mr. Bhalerao and handed over to the Imperial
Council of Agricultural Research for publication. This contains valuable
keys for the identification of all the worm parasites which have been
hitherto recorded from the domestic animals in India, and all the
important species are profusely illustrated, in most cases with the author's
own drawings.
XVII.—ROUTINE EXAMINATIONS.
(1) Post mortem examinations.—A total of 1,459 examinations
were carried out against 2,078 during the previous year. The species
of animals included :—
Cattle .
Buffalo .
Equines .
Goats .
Sheep .
Dogs
Rabbits .
Guinea pigs
Poultry
Others .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
554
6
22
442
19
39
154
175
42
6
The etiological diagnosis arrived at included Rinderpest in 509 cases
of 1,002 of cattle and goats or nearly 50 per cent. of the total number ;
„ Redwater " (due to B. bigemina) in 36 cases or nearly 6 per cent. of
the cattle, and Bovine Coccidiosis in 112 cases or 20 per cent. of the cattle.
Both the last named diseases occurred almost entirely as complicating
affections resuscitated by Rinderpest.
21
(2) Routine Pathology.—Other routine examinations made in the
Pathological Section included :—
Outside specimens . .
.
.
Tubes of helminths collected at Muktesar
Samples of fæces
Urine Tests
Nasal Discharges
Skin scrapings
Rectal smears
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
TOTAL
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
120
543
507
400
110
7
3
1,690
F 2
22
REPORT OF THE SEROLOGY SECTION.
(MR. J. R. HADDOW, B.SC., M.R.C.V.S., D.V.S.M., Officiating 1st Veteri-
nary Research Officer.)
BOVINE DISEASES.
I.—RINDERPEST.
1. Immunity following serum-simultaneous inoculation.—The immu-
nisation of the young stock in the Muktesar Dairy Herd was continued
on the same lines as described in previous years, and a number of immu-
nity tests upon animals immunised at various times were also carried
out. The data acquired from these tests confirm the results of other
workers in this field, and it appears that using either hill bull or goat
strains of virus a certain number of calves are not susceptible to immu-
nisation ; the proportion of refractory animals being greater when the
latter virus is used.
2. Vaccination.—Mr. Menon continued the experiments upon for-
malinised vaccines. The results were similar to those obtained in the
previous year, and his general experience was that the administration
of vaccines, which produce a reliable immunity, was attended by a
considerable amount of risk in that a certain proportion of animals so
treated may develop a severe or even fatal infection, whereas in those
cases where the vaccine is safe the immunity conferred is unreliable
and of comparatively short duration. Further experimentation upon
vaccination has been temporarily suspended owing to lack of staff.
It appears that in the conditions prevailing in India the serum-
simultaneous method of immunisation is the best method available at
present.
3. Atypical infections.—A number of observations were made upon
animals which showed atypical syndromes either in point of time or in
degree, and some information upon the possible existence of " carriers "
was obtained. From the spleen of one bull, which died 74 days after
inoculation with rinderpest virus, sub-inoculations were made and these
proved the organ to be still infective.
It was also found possible to modify the incubation period by vary-
ing the route of injection ; this period being reduced to 24—36 hours
in the case of intravenous inoculation or extended to 100—120 hours
by intrathecal inoculation.
Although the number of animals used for the intravenous inocula-
tions was not sufficiently large to permit conclusions to be drawn, it
was noted in the series used that although the reaction was produced
earlier the proportion of recoveries was greater than in animals inocu-
lated subcutaneously.
23
4. Purification of Virus from Protozoan Parasites.—The frequent
presence of protozoa, particularly piroplasmata, in rinderpest virulent
blood has always caused a certain amount of apprehension in the appli-
cation of the serum-simultaneous method of inoculation, especially in
imported animals, and in order to remove this objection, the use of virus
obtained by a single passage through a goat or by the direct use of cere-
brospinal fluid has been tried. Either method appears to achieve the
end in view without affecting appreciably the degree of virulence of the
virus.
5. Goat Virus.—An attempt to " fix " the virus in goats by means
of rapid intravenous passage was made with apparent success, but the
urgent need for economy prevented the extension of the experiment
to sufficient length to obtain conclusive results. A number of inter-
esting observations were made, however, and it is hoped to repeat this
work next year.
The use of goat virus alone as an economical alternative to vacci-
nation has also received consideration, and controlled experiments to
ascertain the safety of this method and the quality of immunity con-
ferred have been initiated.
As stated in last year's report " field " work upon the use of goat
virus alone was commenced by Mr. P. J. Kerr, Veterinary Adviser to
the Government of Bengal, in collaboration with this Institute, and
a number of animals protected by this method in January 1931 were
tested with bull virus in February 1932. In every case these animals
proved to be solidly immune.
6. Natural outbreaks in protected cattle.—Several reports were re-
ceived upon the occurrence of rinderpest in cattle which had been pre-
viously protected by the serum-simultaneous method with either goat
or bull virus. Investigation of the reports revealed the presence of
several factors which may have influenced the result, and the necessity
for accurate knowledge on the part of the operator upon the condi-
tions which adversely affect the keeping qualities of virus was empha-
sised. In most cases the " breakdown " in immunity occurred in ani-
mals immunised during calf-hood, but in some cases it was observed
that animals immunised at a later period were also affected.
7. Dosage of serum.—In cooperation with Mr. P. J. Kerr, Veterinary
Adviser to the Government of Bengal, work upon the reduction of serum
dosage for ' plains " cattle in conjunction with bull virus is being con-
tinued, and similar experiments have recently been initiated by the
Military Department at certain Dairy Farms.
8. Biochemical Research.—(a) As stated in last year's report studies
upon the variation of the serum proteins of hill bulls in health and during
an attack of rinderpest have been carried out. In the first series of
sera examined it appeared that a certain relationship existed in the
healthy bull between the euglobulin content expressed as a percentage
of the total protein and the termination (death or recovery) in a subse-
24
quent rinderpest infection, but later work on a larger scale upon normal,
infected, and recovered animals failed to confirm this finding.
It was noted that, in confirmation of Hartley's results at this In¬
stitute, where the disease ended fatally there was practically always
a marked decrease in total protein. Although considerable fluctuation
of the different fractions was noted in the three classes of animals studied,
no definite differences of practical use in the estimation of immunity
were observed.
(b) With a view to concentrating serum for economy in transport
and for standardisation of potency, attempts were made to precipitate
the protein fraction or fractions with which the immune bodies are
associated. On the basis of the original observations of Hartley at
this Institute and of more recent workers in this field of research the
total globulin and the euglobulin fractions of several sera obtained by
precipitation by ammonium sulphate were tested and it was found that
although the euglobulin fraction contained a very large proportion of
the anti-bodies the globulin fractions were appreciably more potent.
The technique described by Felton (1925 and onwards) in connection
with the concentration of the anti-bodies in anti-pneumococcal serum
was also applied and it was found that the water insoluble fraction
obtained by this method was more potent than the euglobulin fraction
obtained by the ammonium sulphate precipitation method.
Preliminary results with sera of high and low potency appear to
indicate that concentration and standardisation by these methods is
practicable, and further work for their introduction on a larger scale
will be undertaken.
(c) Examinations to determine the presence of toxic metallic salts
derived from metal containers were also carried out.
9. Serum dose rates based upon Active Protoplasmic Tissue Units.—
Further tests have been carried out upon the comparative value of
testing serum at dose rates based upon the Active Protoplasmic Tissue
Unit system described last year and at the ordinary dose rates based
on body-weight. The results indicate that, where there is a marked
difference in the weights of particular animals used for a test, the former
method may be advantageous. As, however, the difference between
the two methods is small, and as the Active Protoplasmic Tissue unit
system has no practical application in the field, further study of this
subject has been discontinued for the present.
II.—ANTHRAX.
The need has been felt for an anthrax vaccine with a greater margin
of safety than those usually available from firms in India. As a pre-
liminary the antigenic properties of an avirulent strain of anthrax main-
tained at this laboratory for many years was examined. A spore vac-
cine was made from this strain and tested on sheep and goats. The
vaccine was proved to be innocuous even in very large doses in either
25
case, but while in sheep a high degree of immunity was produced, no
immunity was observed in the case of the goats.
The experiments upon the treatment of anthrax in cattle by in-
travenous injections of arsenic reported last year were repeated on a
larger scale, but the satisfactory results recorded last year could not
be confirmed. It is probable that the methods of test adopted were
too severe to be comparable to natural conditions.
The several strains of anthrax maintained at this laboratory have
been found to fall into two groups in accordance with their sugar re-
actions, and it is interesting to note that strains of known Indian origin
fall into one group while strains of known extra-Indian origin comprise
the other group.
III.—BLACKQUARTER.
On two occasions reports were received from the field which appeared
to indicate that the degree of immunity conferred by the blackquarter
aggressin issued from this Institute was not as great as previous results
had indicated. The existing technique for the preparation of his
product was examined and experiments have been initiated with a
view to producing a more potent product.
The collection of material from the field for examination has been
continued, but experimental work upon these specimens is still held
up owing to shortage of trained staff.
IV.—HÆMORRHAGIC SEPTICÆMIA.
Several specimens were received from animals suspected to have
died of Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia from the Government Cattle Breed-
ing Farms in Bengal. In the case of one farm (Dacca) the presence
of the disease was confirmed, and as the strains of Pasteurella recovered
appeared to differ in some respects from those maintained at the labora-
tory it was decided to prepare a special vaccine with these strains for
use on this farm. The results of the application of this vaccine are
not yet apparent.
V.—BOVINE CONTAGIOUS ABORTION.
Work upon this subject was continued as in previous years and
numerous agglutination tests and cultural examinations were made.
The collection of statistics especially with regard to the effect of vacci-
nation in this disease was also continued.
VI.—BOVINE LYMPHANGITIS.
Material collected from cases of suspected Bovine Lymphangitis
in Mysore State was submitted to cultural examination and an organism
similar to B. pseudotuberculosis rodentium was isolated, but in the case
of similar material derived from animals in Bengal this organism was
not found.
26
VII.—OTHER BOVINE DISEASES.
(a) Towards the end of the year an infection with skin lesions closely
resembling those of cow-pox was observed in the Muktesar Dairy Herd.
Inoculation of rabbits intraocularly, subcutaneously and by scarifica-
tion failed to produce any effect, while cultural examination consis¬
tently revealed the presence of streptococci. The possible relation of
one or more of the strains of streptococci isolated to the condition is
at present under investigation.
(b) Material from several cases of septic pneumonia in calves has
been examined and in every case, but one, Corynebacteirum pyogenes
has been isolated. In the exception noted, Streptococcus pyogenes
appeared to be the causal agent.
(c) Tuberculosis and Johne's disease.—A large number of tests upon
healthy and infected animals were carried out with the object of stan-
dardising the various brews of tuberculins now being issued from this
Institute.
(d) Bovine abortion of non-specific origin.—A number of cases of
abortion were reported from the Quetta Military Dairy Farm and bac-
teriological examination of specimens from the affected animals was
in all cases negative. The possible association of this condition, and
the teratomatous growths in the eyes of calves report d from this loca-
lity last year, with a deficient or unbalanced diet is now under inves-
tigation.
EQUINE DISEASES.
VIII.—EQUINE CONTAGIOUS ABORTION.
At the request of Colonel E. H. Cole, experimentation upon the
control of equine contagious abortion by vaccination and segregation
was undertaken in his stud after personal visits by two members of the
staff of this Institute.
A large number of preliminary examinations of foetal material and
the previous agglu ination history of the stud indicated that in this
case B. abortus Equi was the causal agent in every case, and it appeared
that control measures could, therefore, be reduced to the control or era-
dication of this organism. Segregation of apparently healthy animals
(negative to agglutination test) was attempted, but this proved to be
useless, and vaccination, which at first was confined to known infected
or suspected animals, was extended to the whole stud. The results of
this vaccination are awaited.
The state of infection was also investigated in several other studs
by agglutination tests and by cultural examination. By the latter
method B. abortus Equi was seldom recovered from these studs, but
strains of Bacillus coli or Streptococci were not infrequently found, while
in three cases an organism of the Proteus group, and in one case an
organism of the Brucella group were also isolated. From the point