March, 1953]
ABSTRACTS
75
The toxicity of antrycide dimetho sulphate. GARNER, J. R. (1950). Vet. Rec. 62,
314-315
THE
author has assessed the toxicity of antrycide dimethosulphate after
Dr Davey's statement that 12 mg./kgm. body weight is the safe maximum dose
for cattle. Toxic symptoms in cattle, that were infected with Trypanosoma congo-
lense, ensued two hours following the administration of the drug at 5 mg./kgm body
weight. A dose of 10 mg./kgm. body weight to healthy cattle induced significant
rise in their blood sugar. Same rate of dosage in guinnea pigs produced same toxic
symptoms and caused them to appear almost dead but recovery was eventful. A
dose of 100 mg./kgm. body weight in rabbits, guinnea pigs, rats and calf caused
death in 7, 8, 30 and 20 minutes respectively. A single dose/of 7.5 mg./kgm. body
weight to cattle infected with T. vivax caused the latter to persist in the blood for
several days after treatment while a second dose of 7.5 mg./kgm. induced toxic
reaction and even proved lethal to some of the animals. [D.D.N.]
Copper pine of Calves. JAMIESON, S. AND RUTH ALLCROFT (1950). British J. Nutri.
4, l,
16-31
T HE authors have described a condition occurring chiefly in the young stock of
the Aberdeen—Angus breed and cross-bred West Highland strains, when
grazing in certain areas of Caithness. Adult cattle of same breed, grazing in the
same pasture did not appear to be clinically affected. In certain seasons the condi-
tion was so severe that a number of calves died at 4 to 6 months of age.
The disorder was characterized by a stilted gait, discolouration and sometimes
depigmentation of the hair and progressive cachexia resulting in death in severe
cases. The copper content of the blood and liver of the affected animals was below
the generally accepted normal range. Other blood constituents such as inorganic
phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, molybdenum and haemoglobin were within the
normal limits.
The copper content of the pastures on which pining occurred was apparently
adequate. The molybdenum values ranging from 1.1 to 19.5 p.p.m. were generally
higher than the usual 1 or 2 p.p.m. found in normal pastures but the condition
occurred as often on pastures containing 1.1 and 4.3 p.p.m. molybdenum, as on
pastures containing 16 and 19.5 p.p.m.
Small supplements of copper, as copper sulphate, cured and prevented the
disorder. As little as 50 mg. copper intravenously or 500 mg. by mouth, given
once, was found to be sufficient for normal development, but was not sufficient to
increase the blood copper values to normal limits. Administration of three, five gram
doses of copper sulphate at monthly intervals increased the blood and tissue copper
values. Fatty degeneration of the liver seen on the post mortem examination of the
affected calves was not seen in the animals given copper therapy. An unclassified
globular granulation of the liver cells observed in the untreated calves was seen to a
less extent in the treated calves.
The authors conclude that the condition of pine in calves of Caithness is due to
a low copper status of the animals and can be cured or prevented by small supple-
ments of copper. This low copper status of the animal is not due to a deficiency of
copper per se in the pastures and it is suggested by the authors that there is some
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