NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
EFFECT OF SHADING AND SPRINKLING ON CATTLE
AND BUFFALOES IN EGYPT
By M. T. RAGAB, M. A. GHANY, and A. A. ASKER, Animal Breeding Department,
Faculty of Agriculture, Fouad I University, Cairo, Egypt
(Received for publication on 13 February, 1952)
T HE summer season in Egypt was found to be the most critical season of the,
year as far as the comfort of cattle and buffaloes is concerned [Badreldin, et al.
1951]. When animals were exposed to sun during summer, the buffaloes showed
more discomfort than cattle [Asker, et al., 1952].
In many other countries, cooling treatments have been tried to keep the animals
in comfort during the hot season of the year with more or less success. Minett
[1947], Sinha and Minett [1947], showed that, hosing, sprinkling or wallowing in
water, caused an appreciable reduction in body temperature of both cattle and
buffaloes. Seath and Miller [1947-1948] found that either shade alone, or water
sprinkling followed by shade reduced the body temperature and respiration rate
of dairy cattle. They also observed that combining the two procedures was more
effective in bringing the animals back to their normal conditions.
In this study, it was interesting to investigate the effect of shading and
sprinkling on body temperature, respiration and pulse rates during the hot days of
the summer season. The experiment was carried out on buffaloes, Egyptian cattle,
pure Jerseys, pure and graded Shorthorn cows.
MATERIAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
Five groups of mature females were used in this study. The first group was
composed of eight buffaloes, the second of nine Egyptian cows, the third of two
pure Jerseys, the fourth of three pure Shorthorns, and the fifth of eight graded
Shorthorns.
Animals after being exposed to sun for two hours, between 10-12 A.M., for six
hot days [Asker, et al., 1952], were subjected to different cooling treatments. They
were either put dry under shade, indoor or outdoor, or were sprinkled before shading.
The shading indoor took place by installing the animals in a covered milking stable,
while shading outdoor took place under big shady trees. Sprinkling was made by a
specially constructed shower which enabled the water to cover the animals from all
possible sides.
Body temperature, respiration rate and pulse rate were hourly measured, in
the usual ways, during the time of exposure and cooling. Also the average air
temperature and relative humidity were recorded during the period of study (Table I).
205
5 AR/53
206
EFFECT OF SHADING AND SPRINKLING
[Vol. XXIII, Part III,
TABLE I
Average air temperature and relative humidity during experimental days
Treatment
Shading outdoor
Shading indoor
Sprinkling 3 min. then shading
indoor
Sprinkling 3 min. then shading
outdoor
Sprinkling 5 min. then shading
outdoor
Before exposure
Air temp.
°C.
32.9
33.3
32.3
33.3
32.3
Relative
humidity
per cent
52
51
53
51
53
After one hour
Air temp.
°C.
33.0
32.0
33.5
34.0
33.8
Relative
humidity
per cent
47
38
40
45
35
After two hours
Air temp.
°C.
33.0
32.0
..
34.0
..
Relative
humidity
per cent
47
38
..
45
..
RESULTS
1. Shading outdoor
In this treatment, buffaloes, Egyptian cattle and pure Shorthorns were only
used. After one hour of shading, body temperature, respiration and pulse rates
decreased in variable rates and differently, according to the groups of animals used.
Body temperature decreased more remarkably in the case of buffaloes and Shorthorns
than Egyptian cattle. The rate of decrease was 1.3 per cent and 0.26 per cent for the
two former groups of animals and the latter one respectively. As far as respiration
rate was concerned, the percentage of decrease was far much greater than in the case
of body temperature. The decrease was 52.3 per cent, 47.8 per cent and 24.5 per cent
for buffaloes, pure Shorthorns and Egyptian cattle respectively. The decrease in
pulse rate was different in its magnitude than either body temperature or respiration
rate ; it was greater in the case of pure Shorthorns being 8.2 per cent compared to
3.7 per cent for buffaloes and 4.5 per cent for Egyptian cattle.
At the end of the second hour in shade, body temperature decreased in both
buffaloes and native cattle, while practically no further decrease was noticed in the
case of Shorthorns. The decrease was 1.8 per cent and 0.52 per cent for buffaloes and
Egyptian cattle from the initial body temperature after exposure to sun.
The respiration rate after two hours of shading continued to decrease in all
groups of animals The decrease was more noticeable in the case of buffaloes and
pure Shorthorns.
The pulse rate also continued to decrease after shading for two hours in all
groups of animals. The Egyptian cattle was noticed to show the less rate of decrease
either after one or two hours of shading.
September, 1953] M.T. RAGAB, M.A. GHANY, AND A. A. ASKER 207
TABLE II
Shading outdoors for two hours
Animals
Buffaloes
%
Range
Egyptian cattle
Range
Pure Shorthorns
%
Range
Items before exposure to sun
B. T.
37.6
..
..
38.2
..
..
38.7
..
..
R. R.
17.8
..
..
17.2
..
..
29.9
..
..
P. R.
24.1
..
..
26.9
..
..
33.9
..
..
Items after exposure to sun
B. T.
38.8
..
38.0
to
39.6
38.4
..
38.2
to
38.7
38.9
..
38.5
to
39.2
R. R.
33.3
..
19
to
52
18.8
..
14
to
38
37.0
..
24
to
53
P. R.
27.2
..
21
to
32
26.4
..
21
to
32
34.3
..
31
to
38
Change after one hour in shade
B. T.
—0.5
—1.3
..
—0.1
—26
..
—0.5
—1.3
..
R. R.
—17.4
—52.3
..
—4.6
—24.5
..
—17.7
—47.8
..
P. R.
—1.0
—3.7
..
—1.2
—4.5
..
—2.8
—8.2
..
Change after two hours in shade
B. T.
—0.7
—1.8
..
—0.2
—52
..
—0.5
—1.3
..
R. R.
—19.4
—58.3
..
—5.1
—27.1
..
—19.3
—52.2
..
P. R.
—3.9
—14.3
..
—2.1
—8.0
..
—4.8
—14.0
..
B. T. = Body temperature °C.
R. R. = Respiration rate (per 30 seconds).
P. R. = Pulse rate (per 30 seconds).
%
= Percentage of change from the initial readings after exposure.
208
EFFECT OF SHADING AND SPRINKLING
[Vol. XXIII, Part III,
TABLE III
Shading indoors for two hours
Animals
Buffaloes
%
Range
Egyptian cattle
%
Range
Pure Jersey
%
Range
Pure Shorthorn
%
Range
Shorthorn grades
%
Range
Items before exposure to sun
B. T.
37.6
..
..
38.2
..
..
38.4
..
..
38.7
..
..
38.5
..
..
R. R.
15.0
..
..
18.0
..
..
17.7
..
..
22.7
..
..
20.1
..
..
P. R.
24.8
..
..
29.5
..
..
32.3
..
..
32.2
..
..
32.7
..
..
Items after exposure to sun
B. T.
38.7
..
37.7
to
30.4
38.5
..
38.2
to
39.0
38.7
..
38.5
to
39.0
38.9
..
38.6
to
39.2
38.7
..
38.3
to
39.2
R. R
37.4
..
18
to
68
19.0
..
16
to
27
23.7
..
18
to
28
30.0
..
23
to
36
25.6
..
15
to
41
P. R.
27.4
..
21
to
30
28.9
..
24
to
36
33.3
..
31
to
37
31.5
..
25
to
39
34.1
..
31
to
42
Change after one hour in shade
B. T.
—0.3
—0.78
..
—0.2
—0.52
..
—0.3
—0.78
..
—0.4
—1.0
..
—0.3
—0.78
..
R. R.
—19.0
—50.8
..
—6.0
—31.6
..
—8.0
—33.8
..
—11.5
—38.3
..
—9.8
—38.3
..
P. R.
—2.8
—10.2
..
—1.4
—4.8
..
—3.6
—10.8
..
—1.2
—3.8
..
—4.2
—12.3
..
Change after two hours in shade
B. T.
—0.5
—1.3
..
—0.2
—0.52
..
—0.6
—1.6
..
—0.5
—1.3
..
—0.4
—1.0
..
R. R.
—23.4
—62.6
..
—5.1
—26.8
..
—8.7
—36.7
..
—13.7
—45.7
..
—10.0
—39.1
..
P. R.
—4.4
16.1
..
—2.0
6.9
..
—3.3
9.9
..
2.2
7.0
..
—4.3
12.6
..
B. T. = Body temperature °C.
R. R. = Respiration rate (per 30 seconds).
P. R. = Pulse rate (per 30 seconds).
%
= Percentage of change from the initial readings after exposure.
September, 1953] M.T. RAGAB, M.A. GHANY, AND A. A. ASKER 209
2. Shading indoors
There was a decrease in body temperature of the animals after staying in the
shade for one hour (Table III). The rate of decrease in body temperature was in the
following order : First, the pure Shorthorn, then buffaloes, pure Jerseys, Shorthorn
grades, followed lastly by native cattle. The decrease in respiration rate was highest
in buffaloes being 50.8 per cent followed by pure Shorthorns, Shorthorn grades (both
38.3 per cent), then the pure Jerseys (33.8 per cent) and then the native cattle (31.6
per cent). The change in pulse rate did not follow the same trend previously noticed
for body temperature or respiration rate.
After two hours of shading the animals, body temperature and respiration rate
continued to decrease in all groups except the native cattle, which did not show any
change, while the pure Shorthorns were slightly affected. The pulse rate, decreased
in all groups of animals except the pure Jerseys and Shorthorn grades.
The rate of decrease in body temperature after one hour of shading indoor was
in general less than that of shading outdoor. This may be due to the effect of
air movement outdoor which will undoubtedly have a decreasing effect on body
temperatue.
3. Sprinkling for three minutes followed by shading indoor for one hour
The effect of this treatment on animals was much pronounced in body tempera-
ture, respiration rate and pulse rate than shading only for one hour (Table IV).
This is due to the combined effect of sprinkling and shading. The effect of sprinkling
is mainly due to the heat loss which happens as a result to the vaporization of
water from the surface of the animal's body.
4. Sprinkling for three minutes followed by shading outdoor for two hours
It is noticed from Table V that this treatment caused a decrease in each of the
three items after one hour and two hours. The rate of decrease in body temperature
after one hour was just the same as that of the previous treatment (No. 3) in the
case of Shorthorn grades only. The decrease in body temperature of buffaloes and
native cattle was 1.8 per cent and 0.52 per cent for both groups of animals respec-
tively. The rate of decrease in body temperature in the case of pure Jerseys and
pure Shorthorns was not much different than what was noticed for other groups
of animals.
After two hours of shading indoor, no much change was noticed in the body
temperature of both Egyptian cattle and Shorthorn grades. In all other groups
of animals body temperature kept on decreasing with the buffaloes having the
highest rate of decrease.
The respiration rate did not change considerably after two hours of shading in
all groups of animals. It seems that the change in this item takes place after putting
the animals in the shade, but did not appreciably change since that time.
The pulse rate did not follow a clear cut trend in all groups of animals.
It is worth noting that, when sprinkling was practised before shading, pulse
rate showed a slight increase in some groups of animals. Perhaps the
vaporization from the cooled skin may play a part in increasing the pulse rate.
210
EFFECT OF SHADING AND SPRINKLING
[Vol. XXIII, Part III,
TABLE IV
Sprinkling for three minutes then shading indoors for one hour
Animals
Buffaloes
%
Range
Egyptian cattle
%
Range
Pure Jersey
%
Range
Pure Shorthorns
%
Range
Shorthorn grades
%
Range
Items before exposure to sun
B. T.
37.5
..
..
38.2
..
..
38.2
..
..
38.7
...
..
38.5
..
..
R. R.
16.2
..
..
15.0
..
..
16.0
..
..
20.0
..
..
17.4
..
..
P. R.
21.5
..
..
24.5
..
..
27.0
..
..
27.5
..
..
29.5
..
..
Items after exposure to sun
B. T.
38.9
..
38.6
to
39.5
38.5
..
38.2
to
38.7
39.0
..
39
to
39
39.0
..
38.5
to
39.4
38.7
..
38.4
to
38.9
R. R.
39.5
..
18
to
60
18.0
..
16
to
20
22.0
..
22
to
22
27.5
..
26
to
30
24.0
..
20
to
27
P. R.
26.0
..
23
to
29
24.5
..
21
to
28
26.0
..
26
to
26
27.0
..
26
to
28
26.3
..
24
to
27
After sprinkling and shading
B. T.
—0.6
—1.5
—0.1
—0.26
..
—0.5
—1.3
..
—0.4
—1.0
..
—0.3
—0.78
..
R. R.
—25.7
—65.1
—4.5
—25.0
..
—9.0
—40.9
..
—14.0
—50.9
..
—8.9
—37.1
..
P. R.
—4.7
—18.1
+ 0.8
3.8
..
000
000
..
000
000
..
+ 1.7
6.5
..
B. T. = Body temperature °C.
R. R. = Respiration rate (per 30 seconds).
P. R. = Pulse rate (per 30 seconds).
%
= Percentage of change from the initial readings after exposure.
September, 1953] M.T. RAGAB, M.A. GHANY, AND A. A. ASKER 211
TABLE V
Sprinkling for three minutes then shading outdoors for two hours
Animals
Buffaloes
%
Range
Egyptian cattle
%
Range
Pure Jerseys
%
Range
Pure Shorthorns
%
Range
Shorthorn grades
%
Range
Items before exposure to sun
B. T.
37.7
..
..
33.3
..
..
38.4
..
..
38.7
..
..
38.5
..
..
R. R.
19.3
..
..
15.3
..
..
20.6
..
..
22.2
..
..
21.2
..
..
P. R.
25.2
..
..
29.1
..
..
31.3
..
..
32.5
..
..
33.2
..
..
Items after exposure to sun
B. T.
39.1
..
38.2
to
40.5
38.5
..
38.1
to
38.9
38.8
..
38.7
to
39.0
39.1
..
38.9
to
39.5
38.8
..
38.4
to
39.1
R. R.
40.0
..
19
to
56
18.8
..
16
to
22
31.7
..
20
to
41
30.0
..
25
to
36
29.4
..
18
to
55
P. R.
20.6
..
25
to
36
28.3
..
23
to
32
32.7
..
32
to
34
34.0
..
30
to
40
34.4
..
29
to
44
Change after one hour in shade
B. T.
—0.7
1.8
..
—0.2
0.52
..
—0.4
1.0
..
—0.2
0.51
..
—0.3
0.77
..
R. R.
—20.6
51.5
..
—3.9
20.7
..
—16.7
52.7
..
—12.0
40.0
..
—12.6
42.9
..
P. R.
—2.6
8.8
..
—0.5
1.8
..
—2.4
7.3
..
—2.5
7.4
..
—0.1
0.3
..
Change after two hours in shade
B. T.
—0.9
2.3
..
—0.2
0.52
..
—0.5
1.3
..
—0.3
0.77
..
—0.3
0.77
..
R. R.
—21.6
—54.0
..
—3.9
—20.7
..
—15.7
—49.5
..
—9.0
—30.0
..
—11.6
—39.5
..
P. R.
—3.6
—12.2
..
+ 0.3
1.0
..
—2.4
—7.3
..
—0.5
—1.5
..
—0.9
—2.6
..
B. T. = Body temperature °C.
R. R. = Respiration rate (per 30 seconds).
P. R. = Pulse rate (per 30 seconds).
%
= Percentage of change from the initial readings after exposure.
212
EFFECT OF SHADING AND SPRINKLING
[Vol. XXIII, Part III,
TABLE VI
Sprinkling for five minutes then shading outdoors for one hour
Animals
Buffaloes
%
Range
Egyptian cattle
%
Range
Pure Jerseys
%
Range
Pure Shorthorns
%
Range
Shorthorns grades
%
Range
Items before exposure to sun
B. T.
37.7
..
..
38.2
..
..
38.5
..
..
38.6
..
..
38.6
..
..
R. R.
16.2
..
..
16.2
..
..
29.0
..
..
19.5
..
..
21.4
..
..
P. R.
22.0
..
..
23.5
..
..
28.0
..
..
32.5
..
..
29.5
..
..
Items after exposure to sun
B. T.
39.0
..
38.6
to
39.5
38.4
..
38.3
to
38.4
38.7
..
38.7
to
38.7
38.9
..
38.7
to
39.0
38.8
..
38.6
to
39.0
R. R.
35.3
..
23
to
51
19.3
..
18
to
21
26.0
..
26
to
26
23.5
..
22
to
25
26.7
..
19
to
35
P. R.
25.0
..
23
to
27
23.5
..
22
to
26
27.0
..
27
to
27
26.5
..
23
to
30
29.5
..
23
to
31
After sprinkling and shading
B. T.
—0.7
1.8
..
+ 0.1
0.26
..
—0.3
0.78
..
—0.3
0.77
..
—0.3
0.77
..
R. R.
—18.5
—52.4
..
—4.5
—23.3
..
—10.0
—38.5
..
—3.0
—12.8
..
11.2
—41.9
..
P. R.
—1.8
—7.2
..
+ 0.0
+ 3.4
..
+ 1.0
+3.7
..
—2.5
—9.4
..
+ 1.3
+4.4
..
B. T. = Body temperature °C
R. R. = Respiration rate (per 30 seconds).
P. R. = Pulse rate (per 30 seconds).
%
= Percentage of change from the initial readings after exposure.
214
EFFECT OF SHADING AND SPRINKLING
[Vol. XXIII, Part III,
The quick response of buffaloes and pure Shorthorns to shade is difficult to explain.
As far as farm work is concerned, the Egyptian cattle should be the only depend-
able animals in this respect especially in summer time, since work means, in other
words, exposure to sun.
SUMMARY
The effect of shading outdoor, shading indoor, either preceded by sprinkling
for 3 and 5 minutes or not, were investigated as means of keeping down the body
temperature, and respiration rate of buffaloes, Egyptian cattle, pure Jerseys and
pure and graded Shorthorns during the summer season. The results obtained could
be summarized in the following :
1. Body temperature, after shading for one hour outdoor, was reduced by
1.3 per cent, 0.25 per cent and 1.3 per cent for buffaloes, native cattle and pure
Shorthorns respectively. After two hours of shading, the decrease in body tem-
perature amounted to 1.8 per cent for the buffaloes and 0.52 per cent in Egyptian
cattle. The Shorthorns did not show any further sign of decline in this respect.
Respiration rate followed the same trend in general but the rate of decline was
different in its percentage. The pulse rate was not similar for any of the two readings
previously discussed.
2. The animals after shading indoor for one hour ranked in their rate of de-
crease in body temperature as follows :
Pure Shorthorns, buffaloes, pure Jerseys, Shorthorn grades and native cattle.
As far as their respiration rate is concerned, the rate of decrease was highest
in buffaloes being 50.8 per cent, followed by pure Shorthorns and Shorthorn grades
(both 38.3 per cent) then the pure Jerseys (33.8 per cent) and comes last the native
cattle being 31.6 per cent. After two hours both body temperature and respiration
continued to decrease in all animals except native cattle.
3. Sprinkling for three minutes followed by shading indoors for one hour was
more effective in keeping down body temperature and respiration rate than shading
only.
4. Sprinkling for three minutes followed by shading outdoors for two hours
caused a decrease in body temperature, respiration and pulse rates after one hour
in all animals in general. Their reaction after two hours was different.
5. Sprinkling for five minutes followed by shading outdoor for one hour caused
a decline in body temperature and respiration rate in all animals. The difference
in time between this treatment and that of three minutes did not seem to have
a more appreciable effect on body temperature and respiration rate.
6. In all treatments, the pulse rate was affected, but it had no special trend as
it was noticed for both body temperature and respiration rate.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors wish to express their thanks to Prof. A. L. Badreldin of the Animal
Breeding Department for his interest in this work. His criticisms are also very
much appreciated.
September, 1953] M.T. RAGAB, M.A. GHANY, AND A. A. ASKER 215
REFERENCES
Asker, A. A., Ghany, M. A. and Ragab, M. T. (1952). Indian J. Dairy Sci. 5, 171-182
Badreldin, A. L., Oloufa, M. M., Asker, A. A. and Ghany, M. A. (1951). Fouad I Univ., Fac.
Agri. Bull. 4
Minett, F. C. (1947). J. Anim. Sci. 6, 35-49
Seath, D. M. and Miller, G. D. (1947). J. Dairy Sci. 30, 255-261
Seath, D. M. and Miller, G. D. (1948a). J. Anim. Sci. 7, 251-256
Seath, D. M. and Miller, G. D. (1948b). J. Dairy Sci. 31, 361-366
Sinha, K. C. and Minett, F. C. (1947). J. Anim. Sci. 6 258-264
ABSTRACTS
Interim report on research on foot and mouth disease at the Research Institute,
Pirbright Surrey (1952). Brit. Vet. J. 108, 359-367
I NTERIM report of work done on foot and mouth disease at Pirbright for the
last 12 years had brought a number of interesting facts to light. It has been found
that pigs are more susceptible than cattle and that there is species specificity ;
pig's strain will spread more quickly in pigs than in cattle and vice versa. Different
strains of virus within each type, differ in severity of the disease they cause and the
ease with which they spread. Three new types from outbreaks in S. Africa have
been identified. Virus has been found to consist of two components, the larger gives
a positive complement fixation test and is infective, and the smaller is positive to
complement fixation test, but non-infective.
Complement fixation test has been further developed to determine the strain
of virus and this can be done within a few hours of the receipt of material from a
suspected outbreak. This test is also used for differential diagnosis, against diseases
like vesicular stomatitis.
Vaccine has been prepared by cultivating virus in the tongue of animals slaugh-
tered for food. These vaccines have been found as useful as the ones prepared
in live cattle which are much more expensive. It has been found possible to infect
unweaned mice, and this suggests another source of cultivating virus for vaccine
production. Immunity lasts for four months only. It has been shown that all
body tissues of infected carcasses are capable of transmitting infection. Quick
frozen meat and its wrappings were found to be more dangerous than meat frozen
by ordinary methods or chilled. [H. K. L.]
The treatment of Johne's disease in cattle. FORD, E. T. H. (1952). Brit. Vet. J.
108, 411-418
S IX cases of Johne's disease in cattle were treated, three with T. B. I and three
with streptomycin. No cures were obtained, but in one case Mycobacterium
johnei failed to grow from intestines and mesenteric glands at post mortem.
(Author's own summary.) [H. K. L.]
The sheep dog—its management and feeding. GREIGH, J. R. (1953 ). Brit.
Vet. J. 109, 1
V ERY interesting and valuable information has been collected by means of
questionnaire on feeding and management of hard working collie, the sheep
dog, which forms an integral part of the sheep economy of England. The replies,
covering 700 dogs, indicate that the sheep dog's working life is relatively short ;
that his kennelling conditions are rough, and that his diet is monotonous and
217
218
ABSTRACT
Vol. XXIII, Part III,
unbalanced. During the lambing season, when hill farmer has to walk about 25
miles a day, sheep dog may have to do as much as 90 to 100 miles a day. Most of
these sheep dogs belong to the Border Collic type weighing about 30 to 50 lb. and
measuring about 18 to 22 inches at shoulder height. The common daily ration of
sheep dog consisted of a mixture of ½ lb. maize meal, ½ lb. oat meal and ½ pint of milk,
in addition to table scrap, occasionally rabbit or horse flesh and sheep placentia
during the lambing season. Analytical study of this diet found it to be deficient in
calcium, nicotinic acid and possibly in riboflarin and vitamin D. All these defi-
ciencies, if made up, would naturally lead to general improvement of the sheep
dog's health.
In author's opinion, the high standard of health generally attributed to the
sheep dog, was more apparent than real. The active working life of a hill collie
while intense, was of relatively short duration and the arduous and exacting work
performed was a reflection of his inherent devotion to duty rather than of a high
level of robust health. [H. K. L.]
Observations on the behaviour of rinderpest virus in indigenous African sheep,
PLOWRIGHT W. (1952). Brit. Vet. J. 103, 12
K ABETE strain of rinderpest virus and a field strain of virus, produced incon-
sistent temperature reaction in indigenous fat-tailed hairy sheep and temporary
viraemia. The quantity of virus as evident from blood inoculation of infected
sheep to cattle reached its maximum at the 5th to 6th day ; it persisted at least
until the 9th day and had disappeared by the 13th day.
There was no contact infection of sheep to sheep, except in one case or from
cattle to infected sheep. (These observations on susceptibly of sheep to rinderpest
made are similar to those in this country during the past few years, of which, how-
ever, no reference has been made by the author at all.) [H. K. L.]
REVIEW
HOME DOCTORING OF ANIMALS
BY HAROLD LEENEY
(Revised by C. G. Saunders)
(Published by ' Farm and Stock-Breeder ', London, 1952)
T HIS is the fifth edition of a popular book, largely rewritten and brought up-to-
date by Saunders. It is intended to serve as a guide to the home treatment
of diseases, injuries and ailments of domestic animals and poultry. It also includes
information on the difficulties and diseases connected with parturition, nursing and
feeding of sick animals, trammelling, and performance of operations within the
scope of the layman. There are chapters on poisons and their antidotes, recent
drugs, antiseptics and formulae for making up a wide variety of safe and approved
medicines and methods of administering drugs.
The book is meant primarily for the use of educated stock-owning public in
western countries, where the horse is the chief farm animal. It is written in simple,
lucid language easily understandable by the layman, and is provided with sufficient
instructive illustrations. Admirably providing for the requirements of stock-owners
in western countries, the book deals mostly with diseases occurring in their animals ;
and to this extent its usefulness to the Indian livestock owner is limited, who will
find only a meagre or no mention about several important common diseases of
animals in his country, nor will the measures for the control of the scheduled diseases
in those countries be applicable in India. (H. D. S.)
219
MGIPC—M—5 AR/53.—21-11-53—875.